Hydranga help

S_D

Hi folks , question I cut back my hydrangea last year right down to nearly noting , this summer it grew massively but never flowered. I obviously cut it back way too much. Now it’s just a bit too big but I don’t want to not have it flower next year , but Also ideally don’t want it getting much bigger than what it is now. Any suggestions to help just keep it the same size but flowering next year or even making it smaller but flowering. Thanks

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058208356/hydranga-help

Hi, it's been s strange year for Hydrangea, I've spoken to friends would had fantastic blooms ,some like me, nothing. In my case, I actually didn't prune at all last autumn, had read its sometimes fine to lead old heads die off gradually as they offer some protection in winter.

My real issue was the surprise frost we got very late April and whilst foliage had grown, it was all lost with the frost, gradually my plants recovered, fantastic leaf growth and despite fine summer weather, not a single bloom on my 3 plant's.

I live in the Midlands and I'm just guessing it was the late extreme frost that was my problem it may have been yours as you've said despite heavy pruning you had great growth but no blooms.

Jim_Hodge

Mine hardly flowered but had a lot of leaf this year. You can prune in late winter or early spring without disrupting flower formation. Cut back the stem to s strong, healthy pair of buds but don't be too drastic after a hard prune last year.