Late Blooming Hydrangea.

Question

Morning sun, shade in afternoon. New wood. didn’t bloom for 4 years. Now it is blooming (Chicagoland area) but it is October 11th. Nice size healthy plant and good size pink blooms. Freeze warnings for next week. Can I do something to get it to bloom in the summer?

Answer 1

If your area had a cold spell followed by a warmup, it may have induced a bloom. To get it on the right track, avoid pruning at all, except to remove dead or damaged limbs. Fertilize in the spring before new growth starts with a 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer. Then you can see what is the normal time for blooming and it is not affected by a pruning. Here is more on its care:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/growing-hydrangeas-hydrangea-care-guide.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/hydrangea/hydrangea-care-mistakes

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/common-hydrangea-varieties.htm