00:00Hello fellow gardeners, this is Amy from Gardening Know How and today we are going to unveil
00:05some of the top reasons why your hydrangea just refuses to bloom.
00:11Hydrangeas are a favorite plant for many gardeners, but when they fail to bloom you may begin
00:15to wonder what went wrong.
00:18Environmental factors as well as pruning practices and even winter damage can all factor into
00:23this mystery that is all too common.
00:27First, we need to consider the type of hydrangea you have.
00:31Different hydrangea species bloom at different times of the year and produce flower buds on
00:35different parts of the plant.
00:38Some bloom on old wood, meaning they produce the flower buds that will bloom next summer
00:42on the prior season's growth.
00:44Two examples of old wood bloomers are mop head hydrangeas and oak leaf hydrangeas.
00:51Other types bloom on new wood and are more reliable bloomers.
00:54These varieties form their flower buds in the spring or summer of the current season even
01:00if you prune the plant back hard.
01:02These would include panicle types and you may be familiar with a variety called limelight
01:07or smooth hydrangeas such as Annabelle.
01:10Even some newer varieties of mop head hydrangeas can bloom on both old wood and new wood.
01:16There is also another type of hydrangea to look out for.
01:20This one shows up at big box stores, garden centers, and grocery stores in the spring, usually
01:26around the Easter holiday or Mother's Day.
01:29These are florist hydrangeas and even though they are beautiful, they come with a warning.
01:34In most cases they are not hardy and not meant to be planted outdoors.
01:38These types have been forced to bloom outside of their usual growth cycle.
01:43It is best to just enjoy this type indoors for the season.
01:47Now they can grow into a large shrub given the right circumstances, but they usually just
01:52muster disappointment.
01:54Also remember that patience is key.
01:57Some hydrangeas, especially if purchased young, can take several years to establish themselves
02:02and set buds.
02:04If you are like me and a bit impatient, it may be best to purchase your hydrangeas while
02:09in bloom.
02:10You may also want to start with the larger plant with an already established root system.
02:15This way you know your hydrangea is mature and will bloom for you.
02:19Next would be timing.
02:21Different varieties bloom at different times of the year.
02:24If it is July and you see no buds and no blooms, it just may be too early.
02:30Usually, depending on the region, the oak leaf types bloom first, then the smooth hydrangeas,
02:36then the mop heads, and finally the panicle types begin to develop buds and bloom a bit
02:41later in the season.
02:43Now it is time to talk about proper pruning.
02:46This is by far the number one reason why a hydrangea may not bloom.
02:51If you have an old wood bloomer like a mop head, oak leaf, or mountain hydrangea, it's best
02:56to prune right as they finish blooming.
02:59Old wood hydrangeas actually start producing their buds at the end of the summer, into early
03:04fall, and those buds will then become the blooms for the next season.
03:09So if you prune after mid-August or so, depending on your region, you will be cutting off the
03:14buds.
03:16This is why the correct identification of your plant is so crucial.
03:20Luckily, some newer varieties will bloom on both old wood and new wood.
03:25So whether the buds are damaged over the winter or inadvertently pruned, the new growth will
03:30more than likely form buds, although it may bloom a bit later in the season.
03:34Be sure to check the plant tag for any indication that it may be a re-bloomer.
03:40Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood only, such as the panicle and smooth species, are very resilient
03:45and perform well no matter when they're pruned.
03:48Even if you make a few mistake cuts, these plants reliably bloom year after year.
03:53In truth, hydrangeas do not need to be pruned at all.
03:57They can actually be a very low maintenance plant.
04:00Pruning has its advantages, but it is never necessary.
04:03If you don't know what type of hydrangea you have, just don't prune it.
04:08Another way to prevent any unnecessary pruning is to pick out the best variety for your garden
04:13garden when shopping at the garden center.
04:15Choose a hydrangea that fits the size requirements of your space so that pruning is not necessary
04:20to keep the plant in check.
04:22Three other main factors in the health of any plant are water, sunlight, and soil.
04:27With Hydra in their name, hydrangeas are, you guessed it, water lovers.
04:32They prefer consistent moisture but not over waterlogged conditions.
04:36A good well-drained moist soil will provide the best growth for these shrubs.
04:41When planting, consider amending the surrounding soil with organic matter, like compost, to
04:46improve soil structure and provide essential nutrients to the plants.
04:50If your hydrangea is still not blooming after following all of the advice in this video, you
04:55may want to consider a soil test.
04:57Too much nitrogen in the soil will produce lots of healthy green leafy growth, but with
05:02a lack of nutrients, including phosphorus, limited bloom production may occur.
05:06Adding a dose or two of fertilizer during the growing season will significantly boost your
05:11bloom production.
05:13Look for a general all-purpose fertilizer or a product specific to acid-loving plants or
05:18blooming plants.
05:20Sunlight is another factor.
05:22Many hydrangeas are shade lovers, but this does not mean full shade.
05:26Some types, especially mop heads and varieties like Annabelle, do however prefer part shade.
05:32Morning sun with afternoon shade is usually ideal.
05:36Other types such as panicle and oak leaf can take a bit more sun, even hot afternoon sun,
05:41as long as enough water is provided.
05:44All hydrangeas do need a bare minimum of 4 hours of sun per day to perform their best.
05:53With the right combination of soil, water, and sunlight, you will be well on your way to
05:58a healthy hydrangea.
05:59Damage to your plant, whether that be from the cold of winter or even local wildlife, is
06:04beyond your control and can also affect your plant's bloom production.
06:08Deer especially love hydrangeas and may browse on your plants.
06:12They may take just a nibble or eat the entire plant from the top down.
06:16Another type of damage that may occur is winter damage.
06:20Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood are especially susceptible to bud kill from winter all the
06:25way up until spring.
06:27Since the flower buds were set the prior year, they need to survive the entire winter and
06:32through late spring frosts and freezes.
06:34For this reason, you may want to consider protecting your plants.
06:37This is especially true for those growing mop head hydrangeas in colder zones.
06:42In late fall, after the ground freezes, construct a frame around the plant with chicken wire,
06:48twine, or burlap.
06:49Then apply a mound of shredded leaves or bark mulch to help insulate the stems.
06:57I have one more final bit of advice.
06:59This advice doesn't come with a scientific explanation or backed by experiments, but from
07:05personal experience.
07:06Sometimes the hydrangea just doesn't like where it is planted.
07:10On countless occasions, I have heard of gardeners simply transplanting the shrub to a new location
07:15for a new lease on life.
07:18This simple location change may be the answer to a more vigorous and healthy plant that actually
07:23blooms.
07:24And finally, no matter what you do, if your hydrangea still doesn't bloom, it may be
07:29a time to replace them with a variety that is more dependable.
07:33Whether that be a new wood bloomer or a rebloomer, sometimes it is just a simple case of out
07:38with the old and in with the new.
07:41We hope the information in this video helped to unravel the mystery of non-blooming hydrangeas.
07:46Just remember, hydrangeas are beautiful and rewarding plants, but they can be a bit finicky
07:51when it comes to blooming.
07:53By addressing the issues such as improper pruning, inadequate sunlight, and harsh winter conditions,
07:59and the species, you can significantly increase your chances of seeing those gorgeous blooms.
08:05If you would like more information on growing hydrangeas, be sure to click on the link in
08:09the description below for our new hydrangea care guide with information on choosing, planting,
08:14and caring for your hydrangeas.
08:15And to keep your plants extra healthy throughout the season, watch our 5 tips for happy hydrangeas
08:21video, also linked in the description below.
08:25Well, thanks for watching and happy gardening!
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