How old is your plant? What size was it when you bought it?

You should see the flowering stems growing (reddish in color).at this point.

These hydrangeas flower late July so its too early to see flowers.

At this point, you might if you look closely, see some occasional buds at the end of the flowering stems

If you can post a pic, that would also be helpful.

Bella Rosa, I don't think mine have buds yet. Last year we had to take out a tree so they get full sun now and do bloom better. I don't think they bloomed till mid August last year.

Dingo, that's beautiful! My VS is two years as of this year. It was a good size - I'd say it was in a 3 gallon pot. I bought 5 of them as they were 50%. The leaves look very healthy. I'll check them again next weekend for bud formation and will try to post a pic.

I would give them more time in Z5 too.

Thanks Bella Rosa - it's 3 planted together, I had no clue they would get so big! I think they like the sun

IME in zone 5, all the H. paniculata cultivars do fine in full sun and bloom well there. I haven't tried them in part shade.

I planted two vanilla strawberry last year in part shade and they flowered with no problem. the buds develop mid July i guess and flowers by the end of July.

The two plants receive dappled sun light through the morning (filtered light through trees) then maybe 2 or 3 hours of hot afternoon sun.

last year the plants were floppier and less bushy; this spring i pruned hard to half and i am noticing new shoots and the plants are more bushier ! i am glad i did this since i had several advises last year not to prune hard

FYI most folks should see buds on their VS's within a week or so.

I personally prefer VS in part-shade as the leaves come out larger darker. I've also had luck getting thicker stems to grow in that scenario, hence bigger blooms.

As for pruning, I try to get rid of ALL thin/scraggly stems (like less than 1/4" in diameter) every couple of years, and won't hesitate to prune down the whole shrub down to 3' in diameter before they leaf out.

This is my VS planted this year in full sun. Can't wait to see more strawberry!

Nice!

Bella Rosa, tiny buds on mine. The deer found them too lol. They scarfed a bunch of them on the sides that they could reach but the tops still look ok.

Oh-oh, you need to turn off the deer vacancy sign! ;0)

deer love my hydrangeas !

The deer have not touched my hydrangeas here in N. TX, they have been too busy devouring my hosta, roses, daylillys, shasta daisys and the impatients for dessert. Mama and two bambies. I am at my witts end!

The liquid fence works for me here. Last year it was really bad - had a doe with triplets - I'm pretty sure they ate here a lot! This year not so much, I've only used the spray once or twice.

No buds on my VS hydrangeas. Bummer. 2nd year for her.

Zone 5

no buds on my VS ( partial shade) it bloomed last year when planted. We had long rainy and cloudy month in June with very little sun,

my limelight in full sun have buds but the one in partial shade not yet

my phantom planted in dappled shade under tree have buds

Update

zone 5b

My VS has many buds right now , will update when i get blooms

Update for me too - my Quick Fire and Pinky Winky are blooming. I had moved them to their new spot in April of this year. My VS hedge is coming along. Some of the plants have buds and some do not. I'm sure it has to do with the amount of sun.

PW blooming, or budding...little soon I think to bloom

I have 2 limelight in full sun and others in part shade

the ones in full sun have buds all overs , the ones in part shade are behind

my little quick fire has few buds in part shade

My 2 hydrangea phantom in dapples shade all day do very well and all covered with buds

the amount of sun definitely accelerate budding

our summer this year is more cloudy than sunny , and not sad hot as last summer. I guess this might delay blooming