My "Endless Summer hydrangea plant has not bloomed for 2 years in a row..Why?

Question

It bloomed the first 3 years then nothing..

Answer 1

Pruning is crucial with hydrangeas.

If they do flower – the flowering branch should be the only branch that is pruned. The branches that have not flowered will flower next year. Hydrangea’s only flower on the previous year’s wood.

If you are pruning the entire shrub every year, you are removing the flowers for the coming season.

My guess is, the first three years you may not have pruned in order to get the shrub to the size you wanted. Now that it is the height and width you prefer you are pruning the entire shrub back each year – pruning the wrong branches at the wrong time. At least that has been my observation when I am asked, “Why aren’t my hydrangeas flowering?”

Answer 2

I decided to just copy my answer from a previous post:

Hydrangeas are very sensitive to weather....especially in the spring. If you live where it gets cold in the winter, your hydrangeas may have had the flower buds frost bitten in the spring. Did you have a cold snap after your plants began to bud out? My hydrangeas are good some years and terrible other years. This year has been a very good year for me because we had a smooth transition from winter to spring ( no cold snaps in early spring). Last year I didn't even have a single flower because we had temperatures in the lower 20's and it killed all the flower buds.

Now if you don't live where it gets cold they may not be receiving enough sun. They don't take a lot of sun (less than 4-6 hours is sufficient) but they do need at least some good light during the day.

If they get plenty of light then next spring give them a shot of fertilizer with alot of phosphorus like superphosphate or bonemeal. If you fertilize with a product that has a high nitrogen content you will get all leaves and no flowers. Just remember to use a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content and a lower nitrogen content if you fertilize.

Lastly if you prune your hydrangeas that may be your problem. Some hydrangeas bloom on new wood and some on old wood. I would not recommend pruning until your plants have sprouted in the spring time so you can see which canes are dead and which are living.

Hope this helps....Good Luck!

6 days ago

Source(s):

Have Hydrangeas of my own for years.

Answer 3

you plant is one of the new ones that should bloom on both old and new wood.... so pruning has little to do with it.... however... these plants need extra food and water to do well... and more sun than you'd expect.... morning sun, that is..... unless you're in a more northern zone, in which case, sun all but for the hottest of the day is good for them.... has something changed around them?... trees or shrubs grown up taller?... casting shadows on them?..... taking food from them?... are they planted under a tree and losing water to the tree?... has the pH of the soil changed?.... acidic mulches?... addition of compost?...pH not only controls color, but also the ability of the plant's roots to take up enuff nourishment to make flowers!!........ do you fertilize?...an acidic fertilizer is helpful, unless you want pink flowers!...... you should really get your soil tested if you rule out the shade, water and food ideas.........

now, that said, mine didn't bloom last year or this year, after two years of bloom..... but my problem is that it needs moved to more sun.... plus, I'm in a drought situation....

one more thought.... this and a few other new hybrids promised a lot... I got Lady In Red and it's a miserable failure, too..... I'm kinda unhappy with both hybrids and wondering if they hype was over the top and I fell for it.....  

Answer 4

General principal. If a plant doesn't bloom it doesn't have one of it's essential needs met. Blooming takes energy. If you are feeding test the soil. Recommended is a combination of slo release (osmocote) and liquid like miracle grow. The other main issue is light, how much light is it getting and is it morning or after noon. They will need about four hours.

Make sure it has irrigation, drip is best as it waters the roots and not the foliage.