Why did my pink hydrangea not have flowers this summer?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question Why did my pink hydrangea not have flowers this summer?

Answer There are multiple species, types and varieties of hydrangea. Most folks have questions about the blue or pink hydrangea. Its botanical name is Hydrangea macrophylla. However, it is called “mophead,” “florists’,” “French” and “Japanese hydrangea.” Of course the most common name in rural scenarios is “hygeranium.”

Late spring freezes and improper pruning are the two basic reasons why this type of bigleaf hydrangea may not have flowered during the summer. A late spring freeze can ruin the developing flower buds. Sometimes this type of freeze damage is obvious because the emerging new growth gets killed back. However, a late freeze can also kill the flower buds without leaving any visible sign of damage.

If freezing is suspected as a reoccurring problem, then try to winterize your mophead. Usually, leaves are piled up around the plant. Cages are often built to hold the leaves inside. The key is to protect the tips of the stems where the flower buds are concentrated. There are even stories of Canadians piling cardboard and bricks on their hydrangeas before the snow comes and covers the conglomeration. To be sure your homeowners association will give you the nod for a cardboard pile if they know it is covering hygeraniums.

Getting clipper happy will lead to the second reason for a green summer. Hydrangeas need to be pruned as soon as the flowers begin to fade (usually in August). Flower buds are produced in the fall shortly after the flowers fade. Fall, winter or spring pruning will most likely result in a pretty green plant with no flowers.

When pruning, remove a few of the older, taller canes back to the soil line. This will encourage new canes which will support the blooms better.

For more info on Hydrangea macrophylla, go to

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/hydrangea_macrophylla.html

If you don’t have internet access, then call the Extension Office at 893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

During the Victorian Era, there was an unspoken language designed around flowers. Every flower had an emotional connotation. We still use excerpts from this language today during Valentines Day, weddings, funerals, etc… The primary problem with this language was the lack of a central guide to consolidate the meanings being conveyed by each flower. For example, hydrangea flowers could represent emotional frigidity, heartlessness or thank you for understanding. One thing is for certain, hydrangea flowers did not represent spring frigidity.

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County