Snowball Bush Won't Bloom

By

adina72

Oh, and one other thought. If it's a young plant, it may not be mature enough to bloom. It's taken me 7 years for some shrubs to bloom.

By

adina72

Is your snowball bush a hydrangea or a viburnum? I've heard the common name "Snowball Bush" used for both. Either way, I'd bet either the buds are getting cut off before they can bloom or they are not making it through the winter.

Viburnums bloom on the previous year's growth, so they should only be pruned, if needed, right after as they are finishing bloom, otherwise you will be cutting of developing buds without even realizing it. This can also be happening with a hydrangea, as many bloom on old wood as well.

It may also have something to do with lack of sun. I really don't think it has anything to do with the soil, but a topdressing of compost around the plant in spring and fall won't hurt.

If you have really harsh winters, you may want to protect the bush with burlap as it's possible the buds are getting damaged by harsh winter winds.

By

Elaine S.

Have you tried fertilizing at all? Try giving it some super phosphate. It probably won't bloom anymore this year but next year it should. Ask at a nursery that sells fertilizers and talk to someone knowledgable and they can show you where it is.