February 13, 2024

Helping Hydrangeas Bloom Their Best

why isn't my hydrangea blooming?

If you find yourself frustrated season after season with lackluster hydrangea blooms, or hydrangeas that don’t produce any flowers, we’re here to help! From understanding their specific needs to troubleshooting potential issues, there are a few things gardeners can do to reinvigorate hydrangea trees and shrubs, getting them to produce blooms that are sure to create an impact in the landscape.

Our gardening experts broke down the four main reasons hydrangeas stop blooming and provided tips to help revitalize these popular plants and help them reach their full potential.

Reason #2

Physical Damage

Physical damage caused by winter temperatures or deer browsing can also interrupt a hydrangea’s bloom cycle. Because we sometimes experience particularly hard winters with late cold snaps here in Northeast Ohio, and/or deer browsing issues, we often recommend protecting any old wood blooming (Mophead & Oakleaf) hydrangeas with burlap over the winter, and applying long-lasting repellents such as Plantskydd® as all Hydrangeas wake up in early spring and develop over summer.

Reason #3

Proper Sunlight

The amount of direct sunlight the hydrangea receives is very important. All types of hydrangea need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to produce buds and blooms. If an area is too shady, or if the landscape has matured or become overgrown, consider transplanting the hydrangea shrub or cutting back surrounding tree branches to let in more light.

Reason #4

Plant Nutrition

This is often overlooked, but it’s extremely important when trying to establish and maintain a healthy bloom cycle. We recommend feeding Hydrangea with a slow-release, granular fertilizer such as Plant-tone® + Iron-tone® OR Holly-tone® + Iron-tone® in both spring and midsummer.

For a bloom boost, try applying Triple Phosphate, per package instructions, in addition to fertilizer.

caring for hydrangeas in northeast ohio

like a boss

Proper care, including the right amount of sunlight, timely pruning, winter protection, and fertilizing, plays an important role in helping hydrangeas bloom their best. If you still have questions about hydrangea care, visit any of our 10 Petitti locations to talk to one of our gardening experts!

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