Hydrangeas are one of my favorite plants, although I have a few others too! I look forward to its buds blooming each year and its spectacular floral display.
Additionally, hydrangeas have a long blooming season, meaning that once they have started blooming, you can continue to enjoy them for several months. Then, even once the flower heads start to fade, you can save your best pruning shears And forget about dead heads, as the flowers provide a striking architectural structure in the garden.
So, what month can you expect hydrangeas to bloom for the first time? We’ve called in gardening experts to reveal all.
When do hydrangeas bloom?
“Most hydrangea varieties bloom from late spring to early fall, between May and September,” says Linda Vater, author and garden designer at Southern Live Plant Collection“However, the exact timing may vary depending on the specific variety, weather conditions and planting zone.
It will also be affected by the environmental conditions of the planting site and the vagaries of the current growing season. Lorena Ballatohorticulturist and resident hydrangea expert in the New York Botanical GardenHe says: “I have several oak leaves, quercifolia hydrangeas. But they don’t bloom at the same time because one gets more shade and another has soil that retains moisture better.”
He also highlights the different flowering cycles in the US, stating that the flowering cycle is earlier in the South, while in the Northeast it is much later. The variety will also make a difference: “The last to bloom are the paniculatas, panicleslike ‘Limelight’, ‘Firelight’ and ‘Quickfire’ that prefer sun, but those that get less sun will bloom later.”
When hydrangeas bloom depends on their type.
Although Ballato says the “schedule” will be different for each garden and planting zone, the following is a general guide to when hydrangeas bloom:
soft hydrangea, hydrangea arborescens
Early June and beyond
oak leaf hydrangea, quercifolia hydrangea
June and beyond
broadleaf hydrangea, macrophylla hydrangea
Early to mid-June, with some varieties flowering a week or two later.
panicle hydrangea, paniculata hydrangea
July and August and beyond
climbing hydrangea, anomala hydrangea petiolaris
End of June and beyond
Vater adds that broadleaf hydrangeas, also known as mophead or lacecap hydrangeas, such as ‘Dear Dolores,’ are known for their large, round flower clusters and generally bloom from spring to fall. “New flower buds tend to appear earlier in spring compared to other types and will continue to bloom on new and old wood throughout the season,” he explains.
However, Vater adds, “panicle hydrangeas, like ‘White Wedding,’ bloom a little later in the season, usually summer through fall.
Signs that your hydrangea is about to bloom
If you’re like me and interested in keeping an eye out for the first signs that your hydrangeas are getting ready to bloom, there are a few indicators you should pay attention to. Vater says, “Look for the plant to break dormancy (small green shoots will appear along the stems) and then examine the plant to see if shoots are forming.”
You can expect buds to form in early spring, around April or May in many regions. As they mature and gradually increase in size, they may change color. And he adds: “Flowering stems can become noticeably thicker and sturdier than non-flowering stems. This indicates that the plant is directing resources towards the development of flowers.”
How long do hydrangeas take to bloom?
One of the reasons I love hydrangeas so much is their long blooming season. “They keep their flowers throughout the season and change color as they age,” says Ballato.
Once they have finished blooming, Ballata says many gardeners, like me, leave the flowers on the plant for winter interest and to provide habitat for birds.
It also mentions that repairing varieties, also known as reblooming hydrangeas, including bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas, produce new blooms all season long. But why are these hydrangeas so prolific? This is because they can produce flowers on new and old wood, meaning you can enjoy the flowers from spring to fall. A particular flower powerhouse is Endless Summer, which can produce flowers from early summer until October.
What would stop a hydrangea from blooming?
If you’re hoping to see buds and flowers emerge, it can be disappointing when your plant doesn’t perform well. However, there may be several reasons that affect the flowering success of your plant.
Ballata explains that a wide range of environmental conditions can affect performance, including light, humidity, soil conditions, pruning habits, fertilization, and winter plant location. “The climate is another big problem,” he adds. Fluctuating temperatures once the plant has broken dormancy can spell disaster for successful flowering.
Should you cut hydrangeas?
There are two rules when cutting hydrangeas. Cut them back during the flowering season to promote new blooms, but leave them intact at the end of the season. Vater explains: “The flower heads can be removed as they fade by trimming the spent flower from the top of the stem. This will tell the plant to put more energy into producing new flowers. However, near the end of the growing season, some hydrangea varieties can provide winter interest if aged blooms are left.”
Ballato agrees: “The spent flower heads provide some protection during the winter, like an umbrella.”
He also advises: “Stop mowing and fertilizing when nighttime temperatures are consistently below 60°F. “That’s when some of the hydrangea varieties form their buds for the following year, and you don’t want to encourage any new growth for about 6 to 8 weeks after that temperature change.”
- Discover 5 mistakes in pruning hydrangeas that you should avoid
- And how to prepare hydrangeas for winter.
- Plus, 5 mistakes to avoid when growing hydrangeas
