The flowers are the reason people grow their hydrangeas, so if you’re concerned that why are hydrangeas not blooming then that’s really a problem. If you’re new to caring for hydrangeas, then stay tuned to find out how to get hydrangeas to bloom.
How long the bush takes to bloom depends on the species, but it’s usually a few years after planting. In this article, we’ll go through growing tips for hydrangeas that will give them the color and beauty that will impress you!
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When Will My Hydrangea Bloom?
The flowering season for each type of hydrangea varies a little, so it’s good to know what to expect.
There are also other factors that affect blooming time, such as the local climate and other growing conditions, as well as how you pruned it.
The simple answer is, hydrangeas typically bloom between mid-spring through fall.
Some species bloom on newly grown branches, whereas some form their buds in the fall season and the flowers bloom the following year.
However, hybrid varieties now exist which bud on both new and old growth, so they can produce flowers throughout the warm season from spring to fall!
Your blooming time will also be affected by the level of sun exposure, the amount of water the plant receives, and the amount of fertilizer you apply. Too much or too little of any of these factors can affect when your bushes bloom or if they bloom at all.
Read more : Pansy vs Petunia: Unraveling the Charms of Your Garden’s Perfect Flower
Keep reading to find out how to get your hydrangeas to bloom!
For more information on pruning hydrangeas, click here: Cutting Back Guide: When and How to Prune Hydrangeas in spring, summer, fall, and winter
For types of hydrangeas, click here: Different Types of Hydrangea Bushes: Discover Amazing Types For Sun & Shade
For taking care of hydrangeas outside, click here: How to Care for Hydrangeas Outdoors & Where to Plant Hydrangeas in the Ground
Why are Hydrangeas Not Blooming?
If you’re wondering why your hydrangea never blooms, here are several factors that might be affecting your plants:
- Pruning: It’s important to know whether your hydrangea blooms on old wood or new wood, since this determines when you should do your pruning. If it blooms on newly formed wood, then you should prune in the spring, since the plant can then re-grow its stems and lots of flowers will form. Old-wood varieties form flowers on stems that grew the previous year, so if you pruned these stems off in the fall the year before, then there won’t be any buds this year to turn into flowers.
- Nutrition: if the soil contains lots of nitrogen and little phosphorous, the foliage will be outstanding but there will be no flowers. Nitrogen is used by the leaves and phosphorous is used to produce flowers. You can test the soil and correct it using fertilizer, if necessary. On a side note, if the nutrition in the soil is not sufficient then your hydrangea may not grow at all.
- Bud Damage: In colder climates, it’s important to wrap your plant in a coat of leaves to protect it from frost damage. This could be done by building a cage with stakes and chicken wire, or by wrapping burlap around the bush to keep the leaves in. Oak leaves work best since they don’t settle very much. Hydrangeas bloom every year, so you’ll need to do the wrapping process every year as well.
- Age: Check the flowering time of your particular species. Hydrangeas take a few years from planting before they start to flower.
How Long Does it Take Hydrangeas to Bloom?
Different species have different blooming times from planting:
- Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf): 2 to 3 years
- Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle): 1 to 2 years
- Hydrangea quercifola (Oakleaf): 2 to 3 years
- Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth): 1 year
- Hydrangea serrata (Mountain): 2 to 3 years
- Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing): 3 to 5 years
Each species of hydrangea bush also has its own blooming circle, which begins after the growth stage at which it starts to produce flowers and becomes a mature plant.
- Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf): June to August
- Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle): July to September
- Hydrangea quercifola (Oakleaf): June to August
- Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth): July to September
- Hydrangea serrata (Mountain): June to July
- Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing): June to August
How to Get Hydrangeas to Bloom
Hydrangeas can be finicky and it can take some work to make them bloom again. Getting them to bloom relies on a few conditions:
Light:
- Most hydrangea species like a nice balance between direct sunlight in the morning and shaded sunlight in the afternoon, with the exception of panicles who can handle direct sun.
- If you plant your hydrangeas under immature trees, these trees will grow larger and larger, blocking out more sun each year.
- If your bushes don’t get enough sun, they won’t be able to flower. On the other hand, too much sun will cause the plants to become stressed and they will forego flowering as a result.
Soil: Hydrangeas like slightly acidic soil and are flexible with the pH level. They do great between a pH of 5.5 to 7. However, extreme pH levels can impair the absorption of nutrients and inhibit flowers from forming.
Water: Make sure your hydrangeas have consistently moist soil. Lots of water will make large blooms, as long as you don’t waterlog the soil.
Pruning: Make sure you don’t prune off your flower buds!
Do your deadheading immediately after flowers expire to avoid cutting off flower buds by mistake. Also, check if your species blooms on old or new wood, since this affects the time of year that you do your pruning in.
Fertilizer:
- Hydrangeas need the right amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous. Nitrogen is what the plant uses for making leaves, and phosphorous is used in the production of flowers.
- If your plants have too much nitrogen, the foliage will be excellent but the flowers may not bloom at all.
- It’s a good idea to test the soil once a year to keep tabs on the nutrient levels.
- If your foliage is excellent but there are no flowers, try adding fertilizer heavy in phosphorous to your hydrangeas.
Deer damage: If deer are common in your area, you may need to protect your hydrangeas with barriers or deterrents to prevent them from eating the tender flower buds.
Conclusion: What to Do When Your Hydrangea is Not Blooming
With this information in hand, you will now be able to diagnose your hydrangeas, figure out why hydrangeas are not blooming and the way to get them to bloom. Once you understand your variety of hydrangea, you’ll be able to make the right decisions to make them give you bountiful blooms. With patience and time, you’ll become a hydrangea master with an impressive showpiece in your garden. Best of luck and happy growing!
Source: https://thelittle.garden
Category: Flowers