There could be a few reasons why your hydrangea isn't blooming, and luckily, most can be fixed.
Having had a resurgence over the last few years, hydrangeas are a valuable addition to a planting scheme for their statement structure. But the most appealing feature of these shrubs has to be their giant flower heads in bright blue or pink, or in some varieties, such as 'Annabelle', a dazzling white. So, if yours isn't blooming, you'll likely feel disappointed.
However, in many cases, all it takes is a few adjustments to your hydrangea plant care routine to get those beautiful flowers back. Below, you'll find six things that could be going wrong and how to remedy them.
1. Pruning hydrangeas incorrectly
"One of the most common reasons why hydrangeas fail to flower is incorrect pruning," says Ruth Hayes, former Gardening Editor of Amateur Gardening.
In most cases, hydrangea pruning should be done in late spring, she explains, or even later in colder areas. This is because "the previous year's old flower heads help protect the new growth from frost."
If your hydrangea has failed to flower, Ruth suggests feeding it monthly with sulphate of potash throughout summer, then leaving it unpruned until late next spring.
"When you prune, reduce stems to a healthy pair of leaf buds, then feed with a general-purpose fertiliser, water and mulch over the root area," she adds.
However, do bear in mind that some hydrangeas need pruning after they've finished flowering in late summer – so double check which approach is suitable for your plant.
By simply sprinkling these granules onto your soil, you'll improve fertilisation and help prevent unwanted diseases.
Ruth is horticulturally trained, with a qualification from the Royal Horticultural Society. She has written extensively for Amateur Gardening, the world's oldest weekly gardening publication, as well as Homes & Gardens.
2. Too much or too little water
Watering plants correctly is fundamental to their health, so if your hydrangea isn't flowering, this could be part of the problem.
As the RHS explains, "shrubs often fail to flower after drought," whether that's from this year or last. Keeping the compost around your hydrangea moist, particularly in periods of dry and sunny spells, can help keep it healthy and flowering well. Mulching is a good way to help the soil retain moisture.
Be careful you don't overwater, though, as this can lead hydrangeas' roots to rot, leaves to drop, and flowers to fail to form. So ensure that the soil around your shrub is well-draining.
If you're growing hydrangeas in pots, raising them up on pot feet can help prevent compost from becoming waterlogged.
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3. Excessive feeding
Although fertilising plants can be very beneficial in helping them grow strong, too much of a good thing can be detrimental. This is particularly the case if you're using a nitrogen-rich feed, which will encourage plenty of lush green leaves – at the expense of blooms.
Bear in mind that mulches made up of poultry manure or farmyard manure can also be high in nitrogen, as the RHS explains. So, it may be wise to stop using these if you've noticed fewer flowers on your shrubs.
4. Planting your hydrangea in the wrong place
"While hydrangeas prefer protection from hot, direct sun, too much shade will prevent them from forming flower buds. They generally need at least three to four hours of sunlight daily. Too much sun can stress the plant, causing it to conserve energy and not form flowers," says Chris Wood, Head Florist at Waitrose Gardens.
What's more, if your hydrangea is in a very exposed site, it's more likely to succumb to frost damage which can prevent buds from flowering. And speaking of frost – you'll also want to check that the hydrangea varieties you buy are suitable for your region in terms of their hardiness.
If you think yours could benefit from a new position in your plot, take into account the fact that shrubs can take a little time to re-establish. So, don't worry if it takes a year or so to re-flower properly.
Chris Wood, Waitrose Head Florist, who has worked for Waitrose for 14 years and in the horticultural industry for over 30 years and holds a National Diploma in Horticulture.
5. Letting your hydrangea become pot-bound
Plants grown in containers can become pot-bound, which is where their roots become congested and restricted. This can lead to them suffering from drought and a lack of nutrients, explains the RHS.
If you're having trouble getting your pot-grown hydrangea to bloom, this could be the reason. Re-plant it in a larger pot in autumn, once it has finished flowering.
6. Plant age
According to Chris Wood, hydrangeas can sometimes take one to four years before they bloom reliably while they establish a strong root system. Unfortunately, the only solution is to be a little more patient with the plant.
While it can be very frustrating when your hydrangeas don’t bloom, we hope you can take some comfort in knowing there are many potential reasons – and that it’s usually something you can fix.
For more advice, read our guide on garden design or the best trees for small gardens.
The original version of this article previously appeared on Gardeningetc, a sister website to Homebuilding & Renovating.
