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Hydrangeas
pintel

Bombshell hydrangea

9 years ago

I live in Zone 6A and wonder when Bombshell should form buds. It did not have any last year and looks like it hasn't any this year. Two years ago it was covered with blossoms. The shrub appears very healthy. It has never been pruned. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Unfortunately Bombshell has that unexplained reputation, mostly in cold zones. The most steps that I would suggest: wait at least three years for the plant to get established in your garden and develop a good root system; make sure that it gets at least 4 hours of sun; make sure you have no pests (deer, bunnies, etc) that might be eating the flower buds; make sure you do not fertilize too much (once a year is probably enough) as this can raise nitrogen levels and results in poor or no blooms; make sure that you water deeply and keep the soil as evenly moist as you can in order to prevent periods of dry soil, followed by periods of moist soil, followed by periods of dry soil again; make sure the soil is not deficient in phosphorus; make sure you do not ever prune it (it should not need pruning if it is as compact as the ads say).

    I contacted the wholesaler on behalf of others years ago and the only reply they gave me was that it was probably being pruned and to never prune it. Unfortunately, I had stated in my email that these shrubs were never pruned so their reply was not helpful. They did not answer me again.

    I can only speculate that it is either super late blooming and-or that, in locations with a short growing season, the
    stems are not getting tall enough to produce/open flower buds before
    Fall arrives. Fall then makes the plant go dormant and kills the buds instead.

    So like the wholesaler said, yes, do not
    ever prune it at any time... well, that might help in warm locations but in colder zones with short growing seasons, you still end with no blooms no matter what, right? I would hope that, at some point, with no pruning, the stems may get tall enough and the root system may get large enough to eventually get some bloomage out. Unfortunately, we have not heard if waiting at least 3 years helped as the people who posted did not repost.

    It is a rare problem for paniculatas that blooms so reliably. If you check all the above suggestions and it has not bloomed by year 3, I too would suggest replacing it.

    Luis

    Comments (11)

    • 9 years ago

      It has a reputation of never producing buds for some people. I'd get rid of it and go with Bobo

    • 9 years ago
      last modified: 9 years ago

      Springwood is correct. My Bombshell was also not a reliable bloomer either. I bought two Bobos in its place and have never looked back since. Bobo is reliable and blooms earlier than all my other paniculatas...just behind my Macs and QF.

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    • 9 years ago

      I've never pruned the Bombshell. Light is a possible problem.

      I shall let you folk know what happens by later in the summer... or earlier if there are buds.

      In general it has been a wonderful year for the hydrangeas which is why I wondered when Bombshell normally showed buds.

      Thanks for your replies.

    • 9 years ago
      last modified: 9 years ago

      I got my Bombshell last year. Then I read comments here and got worried.

      Well, my Bombshell grown in a plant pot and pruned really short early spring is just about to start to bloom. I live in Poland, zone 6B. We had a really cold and miserable spring this year so I don't t think it's a heat loving plant. Will try to take some photos later on.

    • 9 years ago

      Mine blooms but only on the side that gets quite a bit of sun. I guess it would bloom on all sides if it had no neighboring plants.

    • 9 years ago

      The Bombshell has begun to sprout tiny buds. Yesterday there was one and today another nine. At this rate the shrub will be filled unless the squirrels choose to munch them. I am noting for my records that the last week of June is when they bud (at least this year.) I look forward to seeing what the plant does by fall. To people who commented on my question: thanks.

    • 9 years ago

      I saw three panicles in full bloom on one of mine this morning. I may cut them to the ground this year and discard them. They've been using up space for too long.

      pintel thanked hc mcdole
    • 9 years ago

      This is an added update: The bombshell which began showing buds on June 25th and then another 9 the next day, now has a fine display. The bombshell after no blooms last year is definitely looking good this year. If I am lucky its autumn colored leaves and stems will be good. It is not a space waster. I also like its low height which is ideal for the location in which it is planted.

    • 9 years ago

      Mine was a problem its first year or two....don't remember exactly :-) But since then it has bloomed long and hard. Except for last year when the deer ate all the buds off of one side. This year it is full of buds again and a few beginning to open. It is not in full sun so a bit slower to flower than other panicles.

      pintel thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    • 9 years ago

      Wow! Great news for you two.


      Mine is still a dud (well actually two of them in different parts of the yard) while Limelight, Phantom, Pinky Winky, and Fire and Ice have all bloomed very well. Even Little Lamb did good despite being crowded by the bigger Limelight. Lots of foliage on Bombshell but hardly any blooms. So disappointing...
      ]

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