Why does my snowball bush flower but not in “balls”?

Question

I have a well established snowball bush that flowers every year along branches but does not form the typical ball. What could cause this and how do I correct it? It is in full afternoon sun with only a small Hydragnea near it.

Answer 1

The plant is likely getting a smidge too little light, which is making it a bit leggy and causes the flowers to be looser than they should be. If you can thin the surrounding shade a bit, perhaps through selective pruning for nearby trees, this should help it tighten up the flower heads.