AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Question I planted a hydrangea four years ago. It was blooming when I planted it
and it has not bloomed since. The plant looks healthy but never buds.
What might I be doing wrong? Thanks.
Answer Hi Darlene,
Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons why your hydrangea is not blooming. First, a late frost or cold spell can and often does kill hydrangea buds before they have a chance to open up. Secondly, late pruning. If you must prune the hydrangea, do it immediately after the blooming. The longer you wait to prune the more chance there is to cut off buds for next year's blossoms. Other reasons could be that trees have grown and caused a shadier area. Not enough moisture. Not enough nutrients. Make sure the shrub gets an inch of water a week and that you side-dress the shrub with composted manure every spring.
