There could be a number of reasons why your hydrangea isn’t blooming, and luckily, most can be fixed.
After a resurgence in the past few years, hydrangeas are a valuable addition to planting schemes for their statement structure. But the most striking feature of these shrubs has to be their large flower heads in bright blue or pink, or in some varieties, such as ‘Annabel’, brilliant white. So, if yours doesn’t bloom, you might be disappointed.
However, in many cases, it just takes a few adjustments on your part Hydrangea plant care Regular to get back those beautiful flowers. Below, you’ll find six things that can go wrong and how to fix them.
1. Pruning hydrangeas incorrectly
“One of the most common causes of hydrangea failure to flower is improper pruning,” says Ruth Hayes, former gardening editor of Amateur Gardening.
In most cases, hydrangea should be pruned in late spring, she explains, or even later in cooler areas. This is because “last year’s old flower heads help protect the new growth from frost.”
If your hydrangea has failed to flower, Ruth suggests feeding it monthly with sulfate of potash throughout the summer, then leaving it unpruned until late next spring.
“When you prune, cut the stems back to a healthy pair of leaf buds, then feed with a general-purpose fertilizer, water and mulch over the root zone,” she adds.
However, keep in mind that some hydrangeas require pruning after flowering in late summer – so double-check which approach is right for your plant.
Levington Natural Sulphate of Potash for flower and fruit development
By simply sprinkling these granules on your soil, you will improve fertilization and help prevent unwanted diseases.
Ruth is horticulturally trained with a qualification from the Royal Horticultural Society. She has written extensively for Amateur gardeningThe world’s oldest weekly gardening publication, as well as Homes and Gardens.
2. Too much or too little water
Water the plants properly It is fundamental to their health, so if your hydrangeas are not flowering, this may be part of the problem.
as RHS “Shrubs often fail to flower after a drought,” whether it’s this year or the previous year, explains. Keeping the compost around your hydrangea moist, especially during dry and sunny periods, can help keep it healthy and flowering well. Mulching A good way to help the soil retain moisture.
Be careful not to overwater, though, as this can cause hydrangea roots to rot, leaves to drop, and flowers to fail. So make sure the soil around your shrub drains well.
if you are Growing hydrangeas in potsElevating them on pot feet can help prevent the compost from becoming waterlogged.
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3. Overeating
Although fertilizing plants can be very beneficial in helping them get stronger, too much of a good thing can be harmful. This is especially true if you’re using a nitrogen-rich feed, which will encourage lots of green leaves – at the expense of blooms.
Keep in mind that mulches made from poultry manure or farmyard manure can also be high in nitrogen, as the RHS explains. Therefore, it would be wise to stop using this if you notice fewer flowers on your shrub.
4. Planting your hydrangea in the wrong place
“While hydrangeas prefer protection from hot, direct sun, Too much shade will prevent them from forming flower buds. They generally need at least three to four hours of sunlight per day. Too much sun can stress plants, causing them to conserve energy and not produce flowers,” says Chris Wood, head florist. Waitrose Gardens.
What’s more, if your hydrangea is in too much of an open space, it’s more likely to succumb to frost damage that can prevent buds from blooming. And speaking of frost – you’ll also want to check that the hydrangea varieties you buy are suitable for your region in terms of their hardiness.
If you think you could benefit from a new position in your plot, consider the fact that it may take some time to reestablish the shrubs. So, don’t worry if it takes a year or more to re-bloom properly.
Chris Wood, Waitrose Head Florist, who has worked for Waitrose for 14 years and more than 30 years in the horticulture industry and holds a National Diploma in Horticulture.
5. Let your hydrangea be pot-bound
Plants grown in containers can become pot-bound, where their roots become dense and restrictive. This can cause them to suffer from drought and nutrient deficiencies, explains the RHS.
If you’re having trouble getting your pot-grown hydrangea to bloom, this could be the reason. Replant in a larger pot in autumn, once it has flowered.
6. Age of plant
According to Chris Wood, when hydrangeas establish a strong root system it can take one to four years before they bloom reliably. Unfortunately, the only solution is to be a little more patient with the plant.
While it can be very frustrating when your hydrangeas don’t bloom, we hope you can take some comfort in knowing that there are many possible reasons—and that you can usually fix them.
For more advice, read our guide Garden design Or Best trees for small gardens.
The original version of this article previously appeared on Gardeningetc, a sister website to Homebuilding and Renovating.
