Question
My hydrangeas are getting lots of leaves and no buds!! Last year there were not as many flowers as in previous years. They are established -- one was planted 10 years ago, and the other 5 years ago. What's a girl to do?? Thank you!!
Deborah
San Anselmo
Answer
It may be that you are pruning your hydrangeas too late in the season. New flower buds for the following season are formed in the fall. These are the big, fat pairs of buds that you see higher up on the canes. The best time to prune is right after the shrubs have finished flowering in late summer. If you do prune later, prune back sparingly so that these fat buds are not all removed. Another possibility is that the site has become more shaded. Are there trees or shrubs that have overgrown into the light? Lastly, freezing temperatures can injure flower buds on hydrangea. We have had a couple cold winters back to back.
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