hydrangea won't bloom 2nd time - Knowledgebase Question

Perennials
Name: gayle hardy
new durham, NH
Question by jimh4
May 25, 2007
I have a hydrangea(about 18 inches tall that bloomed when purchased 2 years ago, gave great foliage last yr. but no blooms, and has healthy looking start now. How can I ensure blooms? It sits in rich pond soil with sand mixed in, surrounded by pines but gets great sun, bleeding hearts, monarda and hosta do great around it.thanks!


Image
Answer from NGA
May 25, 2007

0

 Lack of bloom is usually related to one or more of the following: pruning at the wrong time, severe winter damage to the stems, or frost damage to the plants in the spring. Most hydrangeas bloom on old wood that grew the previous year. So the only time to prune is in summer right after they bloom. If it seems winter has killed back the stems, be very patient and wait until you are certain the stems are dead before trimming them off. Pruning in fall or spring will limit blooms. Your zip code places you in zone 5A -- the coldest part of zone 5 and possibly as cold as zone 4 depending on your microclimate, which is very cold for hydrangeas. Very often in zone 5 they are root hardy but not stem/bud hardy due to the excessive cold. Planting in a sheltered spot with protection from winter winds will help. You might also mulch heavily in late fall. Some gardeners will also wrap the plant in burlap stuffed with straw or dry oak leaves for the winter, to try to insulate it. Finally, in spring, cover the plant if frost threatens after it has started to show signs of growth. I hope this helps.

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