Question
Hi!
I have three oakleaf hydrangea about 4 yrs. old,next to the house on the north side.They have really grown and the first couple of years flowered beautifully.The last couple of years in the spring I get lots of blossom heads, but not all the head blossoms.actually just the outside blossoms.I cut the blossom about the end of March,as I live in southern Michigan.What is causing the lack of full blossom?Am I waiting to long to trim old blossom?Also I have a pee wee and its doing the same,This is located on the west side of the house and is about 10 yr.old.

Answer
Marty,
Hydrangeas are really not suited for the northern climates. They are very sensitive to frost and winter injury. It has been reported that if the winter temps go below 0 degrees, that there is damage to the flower buds. Late spring frosts have also been shown to do damage.
I would recommend that you fertilize the hydrangeas with a low nitrogen fertilizer and that you protect them during the winter by erecting burlap enclosures to cut down on wind and frost damage to a degree.
The same goes for the pee-wee.
Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen