Why doesn't my hyd bloom?

pudgeder

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

This has been in the ground for at least 3 years.

It's healthy and gorgeous foliage, but hasn't put out one blossom.

Any suggestions?

edited to add I'm in Zone 7.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

That is Hydrangea macrophylla, bigleaf hydrangea, and there are several reason why they fail to bloom. But the primary one is that the flower buds, which are set by the end of the growing season in preparation for the next, are damaged by winter cold or late spring frosts. You can work around this by affording winter protection or wrapping or opt for those newer cultivars that have been bred to flower on the current season's growth as well as the previous. But even those new wood bloomers can be hesitant about flowering after a cold winter or very late spring.

Pruning can also produce no flowers.

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Comments (8)

pudgeder
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you gardengal.

We did have that antarctic blast this past winter. Lost many trees to that beyond frigid freeze.

That could be part of the problem for this year.

What kind of winter wrapping would you suggest?
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cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
5 years ago
pudgeder- your location would be most helpful.

As far as protection- if you search there are many threads about this- here's one to get you started.
chrysalids
5 years ago
Macrophyllas also need partial shade. Unlike panicalatas, they don't flower if they get more than six hours of sun a day.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
"Unlike panicalatas, they don't flower if they get more than six hours of sun a day."

Sorry but there is NO truth in that!! There are bigleaf hydrangeas in my area that grow in full-on, all day sun and bloom beautifully. They are just prone to wilting if in a lot of sun but without adequate water. But that has no impact on their ability to bloom!
chrysalids
5 years ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9), then your area is the fortunate exception. Macrophyllas typically don't bloom well or flourish if they get more than six hours of direct sun. This is why it is recommended that they get partial shade, preferably in the afternoon.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
chrysalids, being woodland understory plants natively, yes, they prefer some shade, especially in hot summer climates. But a preference for at least part shade has nothing to do with their ability to thrive or flower well in full sun. Big leaf hydrangeas grow, thrive and flower in full sun in many parts of the country. As long as other growing conditions are met, a full sun planting is NO obstacle to heavy flowering!!
a1an
5 years ago
I have a few macs in full sun. Around 5:30-6AM sunrise around here till it starts shading around 5 or 6pm this time of year. So I suppose at least 12 hrs in the summer. Only cavet compared the ones in some shade, is that most of the blooms are faded, some blooms are just crispy and gone, some are scorched whereas the ones in shade are all nice colorful and still vibrant. The later blooms from the new wood in this full sun siting are still small/plenty of color/not scorched. YMMV. I don't think sun is a issue as long as they have H20. Blooms getting dried/scorch/aged earlier, yes.