Did you prune it last year? How much sun (how many hours) do you think it gets, by the way?

I did not pune it last year. The only maintainence I do is remove the hollow shoots. It gets mostly sun during the day and it really has looked healthier last year and the year before.

Sometimes the weather does them in when it is warm, the plant breaks dormancy and then suddendly, the temperatures drop below freezing. However, for that to be the cause of your problem, the weather pattern would have to replicate for three years in a row..... hmmm, not likely....

What zone and location do you and your mother live in? If you are in zone 7, most or all hydrangeas should grow well and not be out of zone.

Can you describe when & how much you fertilize the plant as well as how often did you water it last summer/fall?

Luis

I water every day! I don't fertilize as often as I should...we live on the water and it runs off.

If the old stems die and leaf growth originates mostly from the ground every year, the weather is doing them in. The variety may not be hardy in your area and you need to apply to winter protection (see the link below) and lots of mulch (3-4" past the drip line). While this can happen in some years when planted in the proper zone, three years in a row is not normal. Wild winter temperature fluctuations last winter caused this problem in my garden.

Too much fertilizer can also prevent the plants from going dormant and this would make them susceptible to winter injury. Down in the south we only fertilize in May and July (1/4 to 1/2 cup of manure or cottonseed meal around the dripline for a small plant; 1-2 cups for six footers or taller ones). Fertilize once in June if located in the northern half of the country.

Exercise some TLC during times when the plant is creating flower buds (August/fall). Make sure it has an adequate supply of water so the soil is moist (not wet or dry), gets a few hours of sun and does not suffer from daily wilting episodes in the hottest part of summer.

Old hydrangeas need to be pruned heavily in order to re-energize but a 3-year old plant is not old. However, do keep this in mind for future years.

One last suggestion... do a soil test if you have not done one within the last 5 years or so.

Luis

Here is a link that might be useful: Overwintering Post

This is really interesting! Luis, you have described my problem exactly. All the new growth is coming from the ground and the buds on the old stalks have withered. (Could new buds still come this year?) I live in Southern Maine and now realize that it's not the best climate for Hydrangeas. Is this a losing battle, or is it worth trying to apply winter protection for next year? Any specific suggestions to withstand cold New England winters and unpredictable springs (cold/windy/rainy)?

I am not sure what types of hydrangea I have. Should I just pull them out and start over? One is in a pretty sunny spot (southern exposure), but the others are on the west side with some wind protection from the house.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! I've read conflicting things. We've gone three years without blooms. The foliage gets fuller and taller every year, but no blooms.