Susan,

If you are positive that you are not overfeeding them with a high-nitrogen fertilizer that encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowers, then I can think of two possibilities:

1) In zone 7 and colder zones, variegated hydrangeas often do not bloom and the reason why is our often erratic weather. (Big surprise there.) Variegated hydrangeas tend to start forming their flower buds too early--during warm spells during what is, essentially, still winter here. Then, colder weather returns, and the tiny buds freeze off, generally before you ever even noticed buds had formed, and thus ends your plants' chances for blooming that year.

In zone 8 and warmer, where the weather is less erratic and late cold spells are more rare, variegated hydrangeas tend to bloom somewhat more consistently. That's my best guess for why they aren't blooming.

Most people in zones 7 and colder who plant variegated hydrangea plant it primarily for the lovely foliage and, in the few years they get blooms, consider the flowers a bonus.

2) The other possibility is that you are pruning them at the wrong time--after buds have begun to form (even if you can't see them yet), and are cutting off the potential buds/flowers.

Knowing our erratic climate like I do, I feel like #1 is the most likely possibility.

It will be interesting to see what the experts at the Hydrangea Forum say.

Dawn

thanks dawn, I was thinking of getting some hydrangeas this year... I also red that the blue or pink bloom is determined by the acidity not the plant... since hydrangeas bloom all summer (?) I' confused that frost would kill the blooms completely... would think it would be the pruning but more likely the fertilizer... I need to go to the hydrangea forum

Lifesblessings,

Hydrangea macrophylla (variegated hydrangea, by the way, is Hydrangea macrophylla "Variegata") blooms on old wood, so it begins setting its flower buds in the fall just as soon as nighttime low temperatures begin consistently dropping below 60 degrees. Once the buds are set, they must survive the fall and winter if they are to enlarge and bloom in spring or summer. So, once buds form they still have to survive an early fall freeze while the buds are still young and vulnerable, a hard winter, a late spring freeze and untimely pruning.

Some hydrangeas bloom on old wood, others bloom on new wood. So, when you are planning to purchase and plant hydrangeas, it pays to do all your research first, figure out which plant you want, which plant is most likely to consistently bloom for you, and which plant can best handle our climate.

With our erratic weather, hydrangeas can perform great some years and lousy other years.

Dawn

I have a bank of Nikko Blue hydrangeas that, as Dawn says, are amazing some years and not in other years. I make sure they get enough water and that's about it. I put ironite on them from time to time at the advice of a good gardener who was visiting one day and said they needed it.

I only cut the shrubs back at the end of summer, once I can bear to do away with the blooms. Once you know what to look for, you'll get to know the buds. Mine are right outside the front door so I know them well. They are not attractive plants in the winter, but make up for it in summer.

I got all my plants at the grocery store about 15 years ago after mother's day - they were marked down to 79 cents each and I bought all five. They've been great.

Thanks Dawn, what you say makes sense about the erratic weather being the cause. I have never pruned them, too afraid to given they didn't bloom (I was afraid of cutting off potential blooms). The only things I've used as far as fertilizer are MG in green bottle that attaches to hose or Osmocote, are either of those high in nitrogen?

I'll see if the other forum has any ideas, otherwise I'll just enjoy the foliage and maybe plant a few different ones that do better here in the blooming department. I didn't realize not all hydrangeas bloom on old wood, I think I'll look for some that don't.

The variegated ones really are pretty so it's not a big deal that they don't bloom, but I wanted to make sure I was doing what I was supposed to as far as caring for them.

Thanks again,
Susan

Susan,

I don't use chemical fertilizers, so I don't know if MG is especially high in nitrogen, but it might be.

I improve the soil by adding cow manure and compost to it, and then by keeping it mulched. As the mulch breaks down into compost, it continues to enrich the soil "from the top down". Then, the soil feeds the plants. When you focus on having healthy soil, the soil feeds the plants naturally without any need for additional fertilizers except in the case of a few heavy feeders. So, try focusing on the soil and you won't have to give the plants extra fertilizer. We have 10 acres of woodland that is full of beautiful plants that we never feed, including spring-blooming trees and shrubs, and they bloom beautifully every year. As you can tell, I think a lot of fertilization is unnecessary if you just work on having healthy soil.

Oakleaf Hydrangea is a really tough and beautiful hydrangea that does very well in our hot climate.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Info on Oakleaf Hydrangea

Dawn,

I know you're right and that's the approach I want to use with my flowers, tree and vegetables. I only recently started using this website and have learned a lot, with a lot more to learn. For instance, I have never composted (I've bought compost but never made it) but last week after reading the soil and compost forum here, my husband and I are starting. We don't have a compost bin made yet but we are saving our compostable food trash in the freezer with a bucket under the sink for the other stuff. Although I have recycled plastic, glass, etc. for years I have never gone the next step and recycled our compostable trash. What a waste! Pardon the pun...

The bottom line is I agree with you and in the process of gardening that way. Any advice you want to give is appreciated.

Susan