Question
I have a georgous hydranga that grows to about 3 foot tall and about 5 foot wide, but I get no flowers just foilage.  We are in the house 7 years and I'm sure it was planted at least 7 or 8 years before we moved in.  Any idea what I am doing wrong that it won't bloom.  

Thanks for any suggestions that you may have.

I live in Pine Grove Pennsylvania which is in the central part of the state.  

Tammy


Answer
Tammy,

The main reason that hydrangeas do not bloom is prunign at the wrong time of year. If hydrangeas are pruned too late in the season, you cut off all the flower buds that were set up in the summer. Hydrangeas bloom off of old wood, so if they are pruned after the second or third week of September, then the buds are removed.

There are two other conditions that would stop them from flowering, if you are fertilizing them with a high nitrogen fertilizer, then you may be encouraging leaf growth, but not flower growth. Switch to a low nitrogen fertilizer.

The last thing that would effect them is low temperature injury. Protect them from winter drying with burlap enclosures.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen