Hydrangeas – Expecting Flowers?

Q: Our landscaper planted four Bombshell hydrangeas in our courtyard in May of last year. The area gets good sun, but not total sun. The tag that came with them states that they bloom in sun or shade. They did not bloom last year. We didn’t cut them back in the fall since they had no blossoms. This year they appear healthy and have lots of greenery, but no blossoms and no buds.

A: ‘Bombshell’ is a panicle hydrangea, meaning it blooms in mid to late summer. This type of hydrangea can take lots of sun, unlike its mophead hydrangea cousin. I think the shade may have slightly limited its establishment but all is not lost. Avoid pruning between now and next summer, to maximize leaf surface area, and let’s see what happens.