Beginner Gardening: Hydrangeas don't flower, 4 by hcmcdole

hcmcdole wrote:
I am guessing these are this year's growth, i.e., no old growth stems at all. These are macrophylla (big leaf - mophead, lacecap) and bloom on old wood (last year's growth). More than likely you either pruned off last year's growth along with the blooms or last year's wood didn't survive your winter which is apparently common in colder regions. So this winter you need to winter protect these stems for next year's blooms. Luckily I don't have to worry about that but there are plenty of suggestions on how to accomplish this on line. The one I see suggested most often is a cage around the plant filled with fallen leaves to give some insulation.

You can get paniculatas which are very hardy for your area or reblooming macrophyllas that are supposed to bloom on new and old growth.

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/winter_protect.html


http://www.google.com/search?q=winter protect hydrangea&rlz=...

I think all my macrophyllas bloomed this year and some are small and some don't get a lot of sun which is probably a good thing around Atlanta.

An old blue one with no name, Blushing Bride (I think this is a rebloomer), Lady in Red, Wedding Gown are a just a few.