Hydrangeas are a tough perennial to care for and maintain properly.
I’ve written many articles around the topic of hydrangea blooms, but the truth is that none of my knowledge came from reading; it all came from doing and experimenting with different varieties of hydrangeas over the course of several years.
Today, I’ll be walking you through ten of my best tips to get your hydrangeas blooming bigger and brighter in no time. But, first…
Why Do Hydrangeas Even Need The Right Care To Thrive?
While hydrangeas can be extremely stunning and hardy, the reality is that they’re quite picky about blooming.
Depending on several factors, your hydrangeas may bloom for a very short time or not bloom at all in some cases.
If this perennial isn’t given the right care, common issues like weak flower heads, bad color or size, and unreliable blooming can surface quickly.
Targeted care tips can help to prevent such cases and significantly boost bloom quality.
10 Super Tips For Better Hydrangea Blooms
Tip 1: Know Your Hydrangea Type
Understanding the type of hydrangea you’re working with and whether it blooms on old or new wood helps determine how and when to prune.
Tip 2: Prune At The Right Time
Incorrect pruning is perhaps the most common reason for no blooms.
Tip 3: Ensure The Right Amount Of Sunlight
Most hydrangea varieties prefer the bright morning sun and some shade in the afternoon for optimal growth and blooming.
Remember, too much shade = fewer blooms.
Tip 4: Feed With A Balanced Or Bloom-Boosting Fertilizer
For improved hydrangea blooming, you want to use a fertilizer that’s low in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus (like NPK 10-20-10) in early spring and once again around mid-summer.
If you’re not a fan of store-bought fertilizers, you can make your own DIY fertilizer, like a banana peel compost tea.
Crushed eggshells and wood ash around the base of your hydrangea plant can also work pretty well.
Check right here some homemade fertilizers for hydrangeas.
Tip 5: Adjust Soil pH To Influence Bloom Color
If you didn’t already know, soil pH can influence the bloom color in certain hydrangea varieties. As a general rule of thumb for a common variety like the Bigleaf, acidic soil will result in blue blooms, while more alkaline soil leads to pink flowers.
Use aluminum sulfate to raise the acidity of the soil and garden lime for alkalinity.
Tip 6: Water Consistently, Especially In Heat
Hydrangeas thrive in consistent moisture, which is why it’s important to water them deeply 1-2 times per week.
Avoid flooding the plant with water, however, as overwatering can increase the risk of fungal issues.
Tip 7: Mulch Generously To Retain Moisture
Use 2-3 inches of organic mulch (like pine bark or leaf mold) to keep your hydrangea roots cool and moist on hot days when temperatures are higher than usual.
Tip 8: Protect From Harsh Winds & Late Frosts
While hydrangeas are a hardy perennial, late frost can kill bloom buds on old-wood varieties. You want to protect them by covering your plants with some kind of cloth if frost is expected.
Tip 9: Thin Crowded Stems & Remove Dead Wood
Cutting back your hydrangeas in late winter or early spring lifts the unwanted burden of old, dead wood off the plants and allows for better airflow.
More airflow equates to fewer diseases in the long run and ensures stronger stems that will lead to better blooming.
Tip 10: Be Patient With Young Or Recently Transplanted Hydrangeas
New hydrangeas often need a good 1-2 years to fully settle in before blooming in any meaningful way. This is when you want to focus on root health and balanced care.
Use Companion Plants To Support Bloom Health!
If you’re looking to further optimize bloom health in your hydrangea plants, consider pairing them with shade-friendly, pest-deterring flowers like astilbes or foxgloves.
These can improve pollination, increase soil moisture, and reduce pests organically – all the things your hydrangeas need for safe and sound flowering.
In this article I show you which are the best companion plants for hydrangeas.
Conclusion
If you find yourself trying to rush the process of achieving results in the garden, let me remind you that it’s actually consistent care over a long period of time that leads to the most rewarding blooms.
Start by implementing 2-3 of the tips I mentioned above and track results over time for steady progress.
Good luck!
