My Annabelle hydrangeas only bloom on the section closest to the ground, no flowers any higher.

Question

The plant looks healthy but it is growing too fast. Can I cut back the tallest branches now. Few flowers, do fertilize every 2 weeks. Please advise.

Answer 1

Annabelle blooms on new wood, so it benefits by pruning to the ground in late winter. This promotes vigorous new growth for more blooms. I would cut back on the fertilizer, that might be the problem. You are sacrificing blooms for increased vegetation. They just need a balanced, slow release fertilizer in spring, if any.

This article will help: https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/hydrangea-annabelle-7-3-08.aspx