My hydrangea isn't blooming! What can I do?
If your plants are not blooming, there are two likely causes. The first is a lack of sufficient sunlight-your plant should be getting a few hours of sunlight per day-preferably in the morning. If hydrangeas don’t get enough sunlight, they will be healthy and have lush foliage, but no blooms. If your plant is not in a sunny location, you may want to consider moving it this fall.
Another cause of a lack of flowering is incorrect fertilization. Many fertilizers have a surplus of nitrogen in them (if the package has 3 numbers on it, that would be the first one, ex 15-8-11). When plants have too much nitrogen, they put all their energy into producing lush foliage, and don’t produce blooms. You should apply a balanced (10-10-10 or 12-12-12), slow release, granular fertilizer in the spring, to keep your plant healthy all season long.
Do I need to fertilize my hydrangea? When should I do this, and what should I use?
Yes, you should fertilize you plant. We recommend a balanced (the package should say 10-10-10, 12-12-12 or similar), slow-release, granular fertilizer. You should apply this once, according to the directions on the package. We advise that you do this before the 4th of July; if you don’t then you should wait until the next year.
Why is my hydrangea wilting?
Your plant is probably not getting enought water. Hydrangeas have fairly high water needs, especially right after they are planted and are getting established. You may need to water them daily or every few days for the first few months; after the roots have developed and can distribute the water more efficiently they will not require as much water.
How can I change the color of my hydrangea?
Forever & Ever Hydrangeas produce beautiful pink or blue blooms depending on soil pH. Alkaline soils will produce pink blooms, whereas acidic soil will result in blue blooms. To determine whether your soil is alkaline or acidic, ask your garden center professional or State Extension Agent how to obtain a soil test. If the pH is just right you may have both pink and blue flowers on the plant at the same time.
Change from Pink to Blue: Add aluminum sulfate according to package directions to lower the soil pH. Your soil will produce blue
flowers at a pH level of about 5.2-5.5.
Change from Blue to Pink: Add dolomitic lime according to package directions to raise the soil pH. Your soil will produce pink
flowers at a pH level of about 6.0-6.2.
