Why doesn't my hydrangea bloom?

Ah, hydrangeas! One of my favorites!!!



To understand specifically why it does not bloom you must know your hydrangea.



If you are north of zone 6 (cental IL) and your hydrangea is supposed to be pink or blue of some variation of those colors the answer is it blooms on old wood. This means the bud will ALWAYS freeze and although the foliage probably looks great, you will NEVER (barring massive sudden global warming) get a bloom.



If you live south of or in zone 6 you pruned it. I would only prune colored hydrangeas for shape and to remove spent blooms if you find them aesthetically unpleasing.



Hydrangeas will bloom in shade though not as floriferously as in sun. That hydrangea starts with "hydr-" (from the Greek, "water-loving") is no accident.



Lots of water for the best from this plant!



If you really want a colored hydrangea, get the Endless Summer Hydrangea; cover it in the winter and plant in full sun with lots and lots of water and fertilizer.

Why doesn't my hydrangea bloom?
You aren't playing heavy metal music fot it... are you?? They like heavy metal....
Reply:Never had the problem myself -- just lucky, I guess. But, from The Garderner's Network:



No Blooms? The most common cause is winter damage. A frost will kill the buds. Too much shade and poor soil conditions can also result in no blooms.



Check the link below for more tips on proper soil, light and fertilizer conditions. Google "grow hydrangea" for other links. Good luck next year!!
Reply:Usually, when there is a problem with hydrangea blooming, it is because it was trimmed or sheared back too late the previous summer. Hydrangea buds set on the wood in mid to late summer for blooming the following year. If you trim it too late, you cut off the buds. No blooms. (Note, this is not true for every variety of hydrangea, but as soon as I hear of the blooming problem, this is the frequent cause.)



I have never quite figured the ideal time to trim hydrangea (and in part it depends on the variety and how it is growing in its location). But certainly if you trim after mid-August you are risking cutting the buds. Even early August could be a problem but July should be okay. To be safe, try to go one summer without cutting it back at all. If it blooms the following summer, then you have probably identified the issue.
Reply:You need to be more specific with your question. Hydrangeas fail to bloom for a variety of reasons. Among them are not enough water, too much shade/not enough sun, soil not rich enough or the plant may simply be too young. It would also help to know what zone you live in. Some plants will only bloom in certain zones.
Reply:It could be a couple of reasons. One reason could be that it needs fertilizer. Another possibility is that you pruned it at the wrong time of year and cut away wood that was going to be blooms. Never prune when it is dormant, best time is right after it finishes blooming. Also could be it is not happy with it's place in your yard. They like sun, but prefer morning sun and ample well drained soil.
Reply:Maybe the climate it too hot or too dry? I have had the best success with them in very humid areas with 'mild' weather (San Diego)

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