Hydrangeas MenuTypes, color, pruning and more
Let ’s Dance Arriba ! ® reblooming hydrangea . Photo by : Proven Winners .
If you are possess problem getting your hydrangea to flower , you ’re not alone . There are a identification number of possible reasons , so it ’s important to figure out which fussy problems you ’re having for solve them . Here are the most likely reasons why your hydrangea wo n’t flower :
1. TOO MUCH SHADE
Though hydrangeas prefer aegis from live direct sun , too much shade can prevent them from form bloom bud .
Ideal light shape for hydrangea are several hr of direct morning sunlight with afternoon shade , or mottled shade that allows plenty of bright indirect light . Oakleaf hydrangeas ( H. quercifolia ) are more spook - patient of than other type . Create more brightness level or move your hydrangea to a sunnier spot .
2. TOO MUCH SUN
Conversely , too much direct sunshine may stress hydrangea plants , which can drive them to conserve energy by not organize flowers . Some case such as panicle hydrangea ( H. paniculata ) can bear more direct sunlight than others , and can even prosper in full sun in northern mood . The ever - popular bigleaf hydrangea ( H. macrophylla ) need protection from red-hot good afternoon sun , peculiarly in warm clime .
If your hydrangea leaves are scorched , or originate yellow or brown edges , these can be sign that your plants need more shade . cater more protection from direct Dominicus or move your hydrangea to a shadier area .
3. IMPROPER PRUNING
One of the most mutual reasons for hydrangeas failing to bloom is improper pruning . hydrangea actually bloom best with little or no pruning , so it ’s significant to give plants enough room to spring up into their mature size .
Depending on the type , hydrangea bloom on either erstwhile Ellen Price Wood ( emergence from the late season ) or novel wood ( maturation from the current season ) , so verify you know which kind you have before thin out plants back .
Bigleaf ( H. macrophylla ) , oakleaf ( H. quercifolia ) , climbing ( H. anomala ) and raft ( H. serrata ) hydrangeas all bloom on old Mrs. Henry Wood . Lightly prune these back right away after flowering before plant develop buds for the trace farm season .

Panicle hydrangea ( H. paniculata ) and liquid hydrangea ( H. arborescens ) bloom on the current season ’s outgrowth . rationalise these in previous winter or early bound as plant are bring out dormancy . These type can permit more belligerent pruning .
There are a few reblooming varieties , such as theLet ’s Dance ® seriesor Endless Summer ® , that bloom on both old and new Mrs. Henry Wood . These call for no pruning , except to garnish out any dead , discredited , or morbid branch as needed .
Pruning hydrangea plants back too severely may result in the loss of flowers until the following twelvemonth . ensure temperature are dependably above freeze before pruning so as to avoid inhuman stress to plant .

Learn to prune hydrangea .
Pictured : Gatsby Gal ® oakleaf hydrangea . Photo by : Proven Winners .
4. USING THE WRONG FERTILIZER
Nitrogen is all important for healthy folio and plant maturation , but too much atomic number 7 can do plants to produce excessive leaf ontogeny at the disbursal of flower . practice a slow - release fertiliser with a higher phosphorus content to kick upstairs flowering .
hydrangea prefer fat , well - draining soil with a somewhat acidic pH. Extreme pH levels may impair the absorption of nutrients , which can affect a plant ’s power to form flower bud .
5. DEER DAMAGE
For gardeners who live on in rural or suburban areas , the warm unexampled leaf ontogenesis and young blossom buds of hydrangeas are appealing to cervid . Grazing can lead in fond or total deprivation of flowers for the growing season . Plants are most susceptible in late winter or early bound when food sources for cervid are scarce . Protect plants with repellent , barriers , or other remedies to discourage cervid .
6. COLD WEATHER
For gardener in colder climates , a coarse wintertime or late hard freeze can cause impairment to developing flower buds , which may lead in the passing of flowers for that time of year . Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangea are more susceptible because they are less stalwart than other hydrangeas .
Mulch the area around the cornerstone of plant in fall with several inches of compost , leaves , or straw to insulate roots . Protect plants with burlap or other natural covering for the entire winter , or at least during extreme cold spell or frosts . set more insensate - hardy types such as panicle and liquid hydrangeas .
Learn to protect your hydrangea in wintertime .

Pictured : Invincibelle ® Ruby smooth hydrangea . photograph by : Proven Winners .
7. NOT ENOUGH WATER
Hydrangeas postulate regular water to thrive . Too little water can result in stunted growth and bankruptcy to get flower buds . A drouth in the premature growing season can also pretend bloom the following class . Plants need logical wet , about 2 inches of water per week .
Water more frequently during hot weather . If plant are loll , wilt or exhibiting scorched foliage , these are signs that they are not pick up enough weewee . Oakleaf hydrangeas are more drought - tolerant than other types .
8. YOUNG PLANTS
fresh plant hydrangea shrubs can take 2 to 5 years before they set out blooming . Purchase larger specimen if you do n’t require to wait , or just enjoy the governing body of smaller specimens . Be patient and check that there are n’t other takings that are foreclose plant from flowering .
Learn more in this video : Why Did n’t My Hydrangea Bloom ?
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