Peppermint hydrangea won't bloom

Question

I bought this beautiful hydrangea in May. It gave me beautiful blooms, but beginning of August it just kinda 'died'. I know it's not dead since I tried to remove it and roots were alive. I've added Miracid, and plenty of water just no new growth at all. It's been over a month and it's just sticks. Can any body help me out on what to do?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Rule of thumb with newly planted shrubs,trees and perennial shrubs they do not get fed until one year of established growth.So with that a couple of questions for you, Where is the shrub planted as it should be in partial shade. Second what time of day was the shrub planted? And third was the shrub deeply watered when planted and after that?

Catalina Martinez · Answer

Morning sun. Afternoon shade. It was planted in the morning and I think not deeply watered

Linda B · Answer

Remember that even a 'repeat blooming' plant has to rest occasionally. No plant will give continuous blooms. By repeat blooming, the marketers generally mean that it blooms, then rests, then comes back into bloom.  Also, they often force plants into bloom so they'll sell, so it may have been manipulated for that reason. It's unfair to judge plants too harshly during the first year they're planted; they have a lot to get accustomed to. Try being patient, and see what it does next year.

Judy Borman · Answer

I had large, green leafy flowerless hydrangeas until a friend with a green thumb told me to make sure I didn't fertilize them - to even make sure the fertilizer my husband put on the grass wasn't spread over to the grass right in front of them.  Once I ensured that happened, I had more blooms than I could believe!

Judy Ackerman · Answer

I had several hydrangeas that didn't bloom until I started feeding it coffee grounds.  Every day I would dump my grounds on the plants and the next year they were crazy with flowers and have continued.  I don't use any kind of commercial fertilizer .

Shari Coppinger · Answer

Thank You Judy Ackerman!  I knew coffee grounds were mentioned to me once before but haven't found any instructions or references since.  Just a sprinkling once in a while or anytime I've got them?  My three oldest and most nicely sized bushes produce the most beautiful leaves but have never had a blossom.  They have AM sun and some dappled sun in the  early PM and I have not over watered and only prune in the spring..... and have never fertilize them.. always meant to, now I won't.

Charly · Answer

Hi Judy,  By adding coffee grounds to the soil you are making the soil acidic which in turn will turn the hydrangeas blue over time.  Even if you start out with pink ones.

Catalina Martinez · Answer

I have an anabel hydrangea. And it blooms beautiful white. And has never given me any problems easiest plant I've owned. But this one has been a little disappointing.

Pia7516598 · Answer

I have a Gladiola Plant that just sits there and doesn't do anything -- I cannot get it to bloom or grow, it's just the same as when I got it.  I have fertilized it and nothing has happened -- I wait for it to dry out a little before watering, nothing helps -- Any Suggestions

Sherri Taylor · Answer

Not all hydrangeas will turn colors with addition of lime or soil acidifier.  Some of the newer hybrids won't change no matter what you add to the soil.  Scrape a little of the bark off of a branch.  If there's green underneath, it's still alive.  If no green, it's dead.  Best thing to do is to Google the variety to find when it should be pruned.  Some are spring, some are later.

Catalina Martinez · Answer

Thank you all

Nancy Hand · Answer

They flower on the previous year's growth.  You might be cutting them back at the wrong time.  Good Luck! :)

Linda Swenson · Answer

I would be inclined to bring it AND the receipt back to the store and try something else.  Hydrangeas do like lots of sun.  If you bought it on line at one of the specialty plant shops (Michigan Bulb, Spring Hill, etc. ) they will give you something else, probably at no extra charge.  Sometimes it's just not worth the aggravation.

Shari Coppinger · Answer

Hi Lynn,  I'm in Western MA.  I have always been advised to prune in the spring as soon as I see signs of life on the old stems.  This is so that I'm not pruning  anything that is going to grow.  My sister and cousin both live in the eastern part of the state where the weather is just a little milder by the ocean.  They both raise Hydrangeas that would knock your socks off!  Sorry, I'm not assuming that your Hydrangeas are any less beautiful.  They both prune in the spring.  A master gardener also recommended this.... if you have any suggestions, I would gladly listen.

Shari Coppinger · Answer

Hi Lynn,  This may be the second answer you find from me, I'm famous for pushing wrong buttons on the computer!  I live in Western MA where we are now considered zone 5b.  My sister and cousin live in the eastern part of the state, by the ocean and grow very beautiful Hydrangeas.  They both wait until spring to prune so that they are sure not to cut the bushes back too much.  (watching for buds)  I have also talked to a master gardener who said he does the same thing.  I've always been mindful of not pruning them too short.  And yes, our Hydrangeas all bloom in the spring also.  Any suggestions you might have would be gratefully received.

Swinnen Lisette · Answer

I have a Hydrangeas like that. After a couple of years, it was sick (a bug) and I cut it down to 10 cm. The year after no flowers of course, this year he has the biggest flowers and doing well.  My Hydrangeas don't like the midday sun (to hot) but do best in a place with morning or evening sun.  You have to choices : wait until next year, or just bring it back to the shop.