Hydrangeas are a low-maintenance plant, but several common mistakes can lead to no blooms for the rest of the year, according to gardening expert Ben Hilton of The Gardening Fix.
One major error is incorrect soil pH. Most hydrangeas thrive in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.2 and 6.2. Hilton advises testing soil with a kit and, if needed, amending it before applying a phosphorus 10-20-10 fertiliser in spring.
Pruning at the wrong time is another costly mistake. Hydrangea macrophylla and quercifolia bloom on old wood and should be pruned after flowering in autumn. In contrast, hydrangea paniculata and arborescens flower on new wood and can be cut back in late winter or early spring.
Finally, hydrangeas need regular moisture. Hilton recommends watering thoroughly twice a week and applying a thick layer of organic mulch to ensure fantastic blooms all summer. In freezing regions, water deeply until the ground freezes; in milder areas, water less frequently during winter.
