| I have a Nikko Blue hydrangea... |
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Q: I have a Nikko Blue hydrangea that is well over ten years old. The last two summers the plant has not bloomed except for 2 or 3 blossoms usually around the bottom. I read somewhere that it might need a higher ratio of phosphate. Could this be my problem? I live in Indiana and am subject to very cold springs. This year was one of them. The leaves are beautiful and the plant is in a protected area. In the past there have been much worse winters and it survived. Any clues? A: Nikko Blue are subject to late frost damage on the flower bud. The buds are set on previous years' growth and when they emerge early in the spring, the buds are subjected to late spring frost. This prevents the plant from blooming. More than likely, your bottom shoots were not damaged from the late frost. I experienced the same thing in our yard in Birmingham this spring with Nikko Blue. |
