Learn the bloom time and proper care for different hydrangea types.
The neighbor’sdreamy hydrangeasare blooming and beautiful, but your hydrangeas have barely any flowers or none at all.
Depending on the variety, hydrangeas bloom at different times.
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Heres when hydrangeas bloom and what could be causing your hydrangea’s lack of flowers.
Some hydrangea varieties bloom on old wood from the previous year.
Pruning in the spring means you are removing this year’s flowers.
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Enough Sunlight
Sunlight is important for flower production.
If your hydrangea isn’t getting enough sun, you may see reduced blooms or floppy stems.
Know the sun requirements for the jot down of hydrangea you have.
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Late Freeze
A late-season freeze can kill flower buds.
Once temperatures warm and the threat of frost has passed, prune away damaged growth.
ensure to choose the best location for your throw in of hydrangea.
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Bloom Time
Your hydrangea hasn’t bloomed yet this year, but it will.
Give your hydrangea time and see if blooms appear.
double-check to choose the right hydrangea pop in for yourplant hardiness zone.
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Using this knowledge, you’re free to be sure your hydrangeas will be loaded with beautiful blooms.
They’re called French because many selections of this species were made and named in France.
If you plant them in all-day shade, they won’t bloom.
Water
French hydrangeas are water hogs.
Repeat-bloomers will not repeat bloom if they go dry.
Obviously, French hydrangeas are not good plants for low-rainfall areas.
Acid soil (below pH 7) givesblue or purple flowers.
Alkaline soil (above pH 7) gives pink or red blooms.
White French hydrangeas stay white no matter the pH.
When To Prune
Once-blooming types flower from buds made last year.
So prune the once-bloomers very lightly.
Remove any dead growth in early spring.
Shorten live branches only in summer immediately after the blooms fade.
Repeat bloomers, on the other hand, bloom on buds made last year and the current year.
Just remove old blooms as they fade.
‘Annabelle’ (above) is the most popular selection because of itshuge white flowers.
New pink-flowering types, such as ‘Bella Anna’ and ‘Invincibelle Spirit,’ are now heavily promoted.
These bloom about the same time as the French hydrangeas, from about June through September.
They’ll bloom later if pruned in spring.
The flower color is not affected by soil pH.
In hotter climates or in full sun, give them more shade in the afternoon and more moisture.
They prefer moist soil, but they don’t need as much water as the French.
Hydrangeas grown in full sun will need more water.
Give these fertile, well-drained soil.
The soil pH doesn’t really matter unless you live in a peat bog or lime pit.
The pH does not affect flower color.
Avoid planting these in full shade under big trees.
They also will not tolerate dry or poorly drained soil.
Smooth hydrangea blooms on new growth.
Prune in winter or early spring.
If you prune it back severely, you’ll get massive flowers but fewer of them.
These big blooms may need support.
It tolerates heat, drought, full sun, and bitter cold.
Smallerdwarf selectionslike ‘Bobo’ can top out at 3 feet.
Panicle hydrangeas bloom from summer into early fall.
The flowers of most turn from white to pink or rose as they age.
Panicle hydrangeas tolerate more sun than other types, and full sun is preferred.
In hot climates, they may appreciate afternoon shade.
Give them at least four hours of sun each day.
This hydrangea likes moist soil, but tolerates drought.
It needs much less water than French hydrangeas.
During the first year, it needs regular water to establish roots.
Avoid overwatering or poorly drained areas as excess moisture can cause root rot.
Plant these in anywell-drained soil.
Otherwise, this pop in of hydrangea isn’t fussy.
Even well-drained clay soil will do.
Don’t plant this jot down in the shade because it won’t bloom.
It also will not tolerate soggy soil.
Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new growth.
Prune them in winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
It likes shade and will even bloom in the woods.
It’s the earliest to bloom of the species described here.
Its oak-shaped leaves turn red, orange, yellow, and burgundy in fall.
And it’s far easier to grow than the French.
The new ones open white, while the old ones turn rose, giving a beautiful bicolored effect.
They usually start blooming in mid to late spring and continue into early summer.
Give them dappled sun to shade.
Oakleaf varieties need more sun in cool climates and more shade in hot climates.
They need some sun for a prettier bloom.
Oakleaf hydrangea does well in moist soil but tolerates drought very well.
Water regularly during the first growing season until established.
Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
Forcontainer hydrangeas, water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Plant in well-drained, acid soil containing lots of organic matter.
Adding a layer of mulch or pine needles will also help it retain moisture.
These hydrangeas do not like full sun.
Too much sun can alsocause droopingwhen theres not enough water.
Check the top 2 inches of soil to see if it needs more water.
If drooping is a frequent problem, you’re able to stake the shrub with supports.
How To Tell When Blooming Is Done
Hydrangeas bloom from spring into early fall.
Some hydrangea blooms change color as they fade, creating plenty of interest well into fall and winter.
How Long Blooms Last
Individual hydrangea flowers last for weeks.
Pruning spent blooms will encourage the plant to focus its energy to put out new flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coffee grounds can affect the color of hydrangeas by increasing soil acidity.
The hydrangeas absorb aluminum, which helps flowers turn blue or purple.
