Question
my hydrangea hardly flowered this year.  the plant is 3 years old.  I cut it back a lot last year and it grew large this year but with only about 8 flowers.  why is that?

Answer
Hello Peggy

Thank you for your question.

I think the problem lies with the cutting hard back last year.  It is necessary to prune hydrangeas from time to time to keep them in their place, but sometimes it means sacrificing flowers for a year!  If you need to prune your hydrangea this year take only above a 1/3 of the plant out and prune with secateurs to a pair of good buds in late winter or early spring.  Hopefully you'll have plenty of flowers next year.