skip to main content

Timing of buds on Little Lamb?

14 years ago

I planted a fairly large Little Lamb hydrangea last year (bought it at the summer farmer's market and it was covered with blooms), along with a Quickfire from a local nursery. I already had two Blue Billow lacecaps. Here's my question: All of them save Little Lamb have set buds (we're in zone 5b-6, north-central Connecticut). Little Lamb has beautiful foliage but no buds yet (mid June). I am wondering if I did something wrong last fall/winter (I left the dried flower heads on through the winter) or if Little Lamb is just very late with buds. It's in the same bed as the Blue Billows which are doing just great. I'll be so disappointed if it doesn't bloom, but want to know what I did wrong, if anything, so I get flowers next year...am I just being impatient? Is it late to set buds compared to the others or should I have pruned it differently (I just cut the dried flower heads off, left all the canes)?

Thanks in advance for any advice on Little Lamb!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

sue36
14 years ago
I'm on the border of zone 5 and 6 (southern Maine) and my Endless Summer and Blue Billow are loaded with buds, but nothing on my Little Lamb. I think it may just be later than the others. I'm interested in hearing what others have to say. It has been a very cold May-June.
ego45
14 years ago
I'm in a 6b and it's a way too early to see buds on any paniculatas except Quick Fire.
Don't worry.
Related Discussions
Does Little Lamb have red stems?
Q
Comments (14)
G'morning - I browsed many Lil Lamb threads trying to see if Marshall has posted a '09 photo of his impressive *LL's planted around an Ohio Library flag pole* ... couldn't seem to find. Please guide me to the thread if you have seen it. I brought this thread back up, as it was here I posted my LL photos (for look see). From experience, I agree with Ego45 & Ostritch that maintenance requirements are a bit high for good looks. I have staked & woven a network of nylon hose trying to make this little guy presentable (we are tornado prone). I posted in another thread that I intend to hard prune this Spring to try & see if a smaller & rounder shrub can be achieved. My ?? ... has anyone tried surrounding the shrub with fencing wire, ala solution on Annable's splaying habits after rain ... in my LL's case the river rocks floorings under, burn those little guys as the lay there. TIA for your input!!! Â;)
...See More
Pic of Little Lamb Hydrangea, first year
Q
Comments (6)
I went to a local nursery center a week ago. They had an amazing hedge with some paniculatas. The hedge was about 4 feet high and it was just full of absolutely gorgeous white blooms. At first, I thought it was Limelight. Then, I realized that it was a Little Lamb hedge! It was really quite something. The guy at the nursery told me that they planted this hedge a few years ago. If I had a camera with me, I would have taken a snapshot of it for you... this Little Lamb is truly a stunning beauty! You think it's good now? Just wait a couple years for it to fully display its potential :-)
...See More
Trying to change Little Lamb's nature ...
Q
Comments (6)
Thank you for responding unprof.- I should have taken shots to show how *not so interesting* he really is. His top is really more like an unruly nest not even a dinosaur would lay on. Each of the 7 tall center canes, produced 3 long stems & a few secondaries that decorated themselves w/ humongous (10" to 12") blossom clusters. LOL! As you saw in the pic. Previously described once as *Gamboling Little Lambs* ... I think more like ... Lumbering Rams!!! Hi George - so glad you chimed in - I really was going to add a PS especially to ask how yours did ... so I got my curiosity answered ... did you have to dig him up like Ostrich did & gave away? I was thinking of your 2 friends .. 1 who pruned to a round bush & the other friend decided to let his/her grow as nature dictated ... 'wonder if you have pix of those specimens? Many thanx again!!!
...See More
Little Lamb hydrangea and Incrediball questions KY
Q
Comments (2)
I don't grow the Macs for the reason you encountered. They can be an iffy proposition in Zone 6. You didn't mention it, but winters can often be too cold for them. The plant will go on growing, but the blooms which were set on old wood from last autumn often will not survive the cold--so no blooms in the spring and summer. I'm very enthusiastic about paniculatas and arborensens hydrangreas. The paniculatas can take lots of sun and a hydrangea like Annabelle can tolerate some sun, though it definitely needs protection from the direct sun in the afternoon. My Annabelles bloom for the first half of summer, while my paniculatas bloom for the second half of summer. Works out good! The paniculatas I grow are Pinky Winky and Vanilla Strawberry. As far as the drooping hydrangeas you already have, buy some of those green-wire "fences" they have a Home Depot and such places. I don't know what to call them other than "fences"--just insert them into the ground around the hydrangeas--that will hold them up, and the green wire can hardly be seen by visitors. Those green-wire "fences" come in several different heights, so pick one that comes about 3/4s the way up your hydrangeas. Hope that helps. Kate
...See More
ctlady_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
Good to know -- thanks George! It was Quickfire that gave me pause, but this is the first spring (for me) for both of them so I wasn't sure what to expect, just knew Quickfire had budded out already and was also a paniculata. Just looked it (Quickfire) up and see that IT is the exception in timing, not Little Lamb -- a "breakthrough" because it (QF) begins blooming so much earlier than other paniculatas. That explains why one is in bud and the other isn't. Guess I was focusing on the wrong plant...!

You can tell I'm new at this! ;)
ditas
14 years ago
Hi - I just yesterday discovered tiny cluster buds on LL (Little Lamb), PD (Pink Diamond) & Kyushu tree form. I guess due to more rainy/cloudy days this Spring all this 3 are a week later this season than last, in producing buds. QF has just started flashing her first few clusters (the side that gets more sun)!

BTW, George, my LL looks much better raised by 1.5ft from floor. I topped the center tall canes a bit ... has filled out around the crown more evenly ... won't look like the fountain it did last season. Hopefully, the herd of lambs will be evenly sized & smaller! Â;) I'll shape the base as needed. How is your LL looking this season?

Related Stories

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOUSE 7 Pro Lighting Tips for Budding Home Photographers

By David Duncan Livingston

Learn how to control daylight and artificial light to get high-quality home photos even if you're just starting out

Houzz Gifts: 11 Great Finds for Budding Chefs [Video]

With these tools and kitchenware from the Houzz products section, a beginner cook can feel like a pro

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

By Rachel Grace

Whether regal or sweet, one of March's animals will work with your home's décor

0

ART Show News: Rare Quilts Get Museum Time

By Vanessa Brunner

See 6 intricate designs from a California exhibition and get tips for building your own quilt collection

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

DECORATING GUIDES 15 Bite-Size Home Projects You Can Tackle in No Time

By Laura Gaskill

See how getting little decorating, cleaning and organizing tasks done can add up to a big sense of accomplishment

ARCHITECTURE Get a Perfectly Built Home the First Time Around

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Yes, you can have a new build you’ll love right off the bat. Consider learning about yourself a bonus

MORE ROOMS Goodnight, Irene: It's Time to Reclaim Your Basement

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

How to clean up after the storm, avoid future flood damage and make your basement even better

HOUSEKEEPING 12 Cleaning Projects That Go a Little Deeper — Naturally

By Youthful Habits

Eucalyptus oil for germy door handles. Baking soda for oven grime. Here are nontoxic solutions for often-overlooked cleaning jobs

REMODELING GUIDES Micro Additions: When You Just Want a Little More Room

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Bump-outs give you more space where you need it in kitchen, family room, bath and more

Sponsored

Mary Shipley Interiors

32 Reviews

Columbus OH Premier Interior Designer 10x Best of Houzz

More Discussions

hydrangea not blooming

12

Transplanting Hydrangea

0

When to add fertilizer? Zone 6b

3

Looking for white hygrengea in 6b

1

Hydrangeas Pruning?

2