Increase Flowering on Hydrangeas
No flowers on your pink or blue hydrangea? The key to consistent flowering is proper selection, pruning and care.
The bigleaf or mop head hydrangeas, those with pink or blue flowers, only produce blooms on the previous season’s growth.
Severe pruning at the wrong time and cold winters that kill the stems back to the ground can reduce or eliminate bloom. Only prune dead and damaged stems to the ground in early spring. Wait and prune flowering stems back to a set of healthy buds right after flowering.
Endless Summer and other repeat blooming bigleaf hydrangeas are supposed to bloom on new and old growth. Moisture and proper fertilization are keys to success with these.
Or try one of the Annabelle cultivars, like Invincibelle Spirit or Bella Anna, that are hardier and produce pink flowers on new growth.
A bit more information: Make sure the soil is moist, not wet from spring through summer to encourage flowering on the repeat blooming hydrangeas. Apply an organic fertilizer, like Milorganite once in spring. Research found that when the microorganisms work on releasing the nutrients from Milorganite, they also make some of the soil bound phosphorous available to the plants. This helps promote flowering.
Categories
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here
April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information
April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL
April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space
Register here
May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI
Register (opens 4/16, 9am)
May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here
May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here
June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind
Register here
June 10, 2026
Enjoy Life Active Aging Symposium
Brookfield, WI
More information
July 9, 2026
Ebert's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Ixonia, WI
August 6-16, 2026
Wisconsin State Fair
We Energies Energy Park, West Allis, WI
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
MORE UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS
Book an Appearance
Sign up for Melinda's free e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!
ENTER NOW
