| I pruned them after they bloomed last year. |
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Q. I have about 15 hydrangeas, and only two of them have bloomed this year. I pruned them after they bloomed last year. Did I do something wrong? They are in mostly full shade, but they get a hint of sun in the morning and afternoon. Thanks for any feedback. A. It is possible that the severe freeze (6 - 8 degrees) some experienced in March 2003 killed the buds that were on your plants. This species of hydrangea sets buds in late summer that develop into next spring's flowers. Anything that damages the buds like late freezes in the spring before blooming or pruning in the spring will prevent flowering. It is not unusual for only one or two plants in a group to have flower buds damaged or only a few buds survive on one plant. It has to do with the maturity of each bud and at what stage of development it is. Also resist overfertilizing hydrangeas. They don't need much -- 1 tablespoon (12-6-6) per foot of plant height once or twice during the growing season is enough. Prune in midsummer after flowers fade. |
