Question
Hello!

3 years ago we received and planted a 6" bare root snowball bush. It was planted in a spot that gets full am and 1/2 the afternoon sun (zone 5 Massachusetts). It is mulched and the area is watered at least once a week depending on the weather. The bush has not been pruned, as we were waiting for it to get to the size we were trying to achieve. Currently the bush is a healthy 4.5 feet tall with a 3 to 4 foot spread. The problem we are having is that there has not been one flower or anything that even remotely looks like it was trying to be a flower. What can we do?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Matt,
Thanx for your question.  In your zone, the plant needs 8 hours of full sun.  Soil should be moist but evenly drained.  If you are feeding the plant, stop.  Chances are you will have been using a fertilizer with too much nitrogen which facilitates green growth at the expense of flowers.  If you are fertilizing your lawn, this is high nitrogen and could be leaching into the soil around the shrub causing all green growth.  You say you haven't pruned it yet but when you decide to do so, wait until after the blooming period (which hasn't happened yet...).  You may consider amending the soil with fertilizer that is higher in potassium and phosphorus and lower in nitrogen.  Fertilizer rated for flowering shrubs would be available at your big box DIYs like Home Depot or Lowe's.  I hope this helps.
Tom