Hydrangea

[pmc1888]

i planted 4 hydrangea's in my garden 3 years ago (from B&Q, ready flowered),
the past 2 seasons, i have had only TWO flowers. what am i doing wrong with them? they do grow leaves, but are all flowerless.
they have 1 more season to produce (next year), and if they dont, they will get pulled out..........!

they are planted in good top soil, 2 are in full sun (well watered during summer), and the others are sheltered shady but moist area.

please help

many thanks

[Willow Tree]

I think you should talk to your local florist - they are the best people to ask, as the hydrengea is quite a difficult plant to flower, as it depends on the area it is growing in and also the type of soil you use. Go see your local florist and report back! Other people may have the same problem! :)

[Thunderbird+]

If you have good soil and you've kept them well watered, then I think their still in with a good chance.
Its important to remove the dead flower-heads of the 'mophead' varieties in march, not in the autumn. At the same time any weak branches can be pruned off. Only H. grandiflora and paniculata need to be pruned hard back.
Appart from that, they may respond well to a mulch and feed. Good Luck Tbird+

[Thunderbird+]

Sorry, no other answere when I started 2nd time tonight!
Ps Its always best to add peat or a substitute at planting time but realising this is too late, you could incorporate this into a mulch.

[Robinia]

When you say 'ready flowered' did you buy them in the springtime by any chance, possibly enclosed in plastic bags like florists flowers? If so, they'll have been forced & I believe that these plants often flower very badly after the first year.
If however they were strong named plants in flower at the right time - mid to late summer - just follow Tbird's tips & live in hopes! :o)

[heathfield]

As Robina has hinted, they may have been 'brought on' too early. I notice this seems true of nearly all the plants that B&Q sell, and wouldn't ever buy from them for that reason.
Tbird's advice is sound.

[he who dares]

acording to my"litle book" they prefer some shade.,also i think you ned a good fertiliser particulaly for hydrangeas i think a liquid onr containing sequestred iron.I9 use this and i t works for me

[Rebecca611]

Each year Hydrangea's need to be pruned back until there are no leaves left on it before the winter. During the spring they will grow back and by Summer will have just as many leaves and flowers as before it was pruned. I have started to do this, and when I didn't I did not get any flowers, and had many dead and mottled leaves during the summer.