Question
I have 2 snowball bushes...they are 3 years old..on the second year of planting..one of the bushes had 11 blooms on it and the other had none..this year neither one bloomed..can you help and does it hurt to cut the bushes back and they are getting very large.  Thanks

Answer
Linda,

It all depends on when you plan to cut them back. Prune them in the late summer to early fall- any later than October, then you risk removing the flower buds for next year.

Did you prune the plants at the wrong time last year? This is the most common reason why plants fail to bloom. Another reason is excessive nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen will stimulate leaf and shoot growth, while retarding flower production. Use fertilizers that are low in nitrogen but high in potassium and phosphorous.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen