Why haven't my hydrangeas ever bloomed?

Question

I purchased 3 plants several years ago. Two have grown well in the sun but no blooms. The third is in shade and hasn't really grown at all ( I'm too lazy to move it). What's going on over here in CT?

Answer 1

From:

http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articl...

"Most Hydrangeas are natural woodland plants and like some shade. Morning or late afternoon sun is OK, but the flowers can burn if exposed to mid-day sun. If a Hydrangea has been planted in a poor location is usually easy to move; it has a relatively small compact root ball. Hydrangeas will grow in almost any soil, but will do better if the soil retains moisture. They should be watered frequently enough that the soil does not completely dry out.

The flowers of many but not all H. macrophylla will range in color from pink to blue depending upon soil acidity. Acid soils produce blues and alkaline soils produce pinks. If you want to encourage one color, add lime to soil to make the soil more alkaline or iron sulfate to make it more acid.

Hydrangeas do not demand a lot of special fertilizing. A good balanced fertilizer can be applied in the late winter or early spring. Mulching of your Hydrangeas is a good practice as it helps hold in water around the roots of the plant. The decaying of organic mulch will also add nutrients to the soil.

Finally, a word about pruning. Hydrangeas do not require pruning except to remove dead wood. If you want to prune to encourage a particular shape, time the pruning based upon whether the Hydrangea blooms on the current or previous year's growth. If it blooms on the previous year's growth, prune right after it blooms. If it blooms on the current year's growth, prune in late winter or early spring, while it is dormant."

Answer 2

The most commn reason for a lack of blooms is a late frost that kills the spring buds. In 2009, go out and inspect your plants in late February/earlyMarch. Be vigilant about covering any new buds during subsequent frosts or hard freezes. If you can save them in the early season they will reward you later.

You may have hydrangea that are too highly zoned for Connecticut. Try a Nikko Blue or an Endless Summer, hardy to zone 5.

Also, try giving your plants some acidic fertilizer - one that is specified for azaleas and rhododendrons would be ideal. If the hydrangea in the sun appear to have brown crispy spots on the leaves, or are wilting unduly, they should be moved to a shadier location.