Hydrangea arborescenssnowball hydrangea ( also called smooth hydrangea ) is fuck for its tremendous , globose , blank flower heads . In thriving condition , this beautiful native bush is covered with 10 - in salad days , making it look like a fresh cover of snow has fallen on it — hence the plant life ’s name . But occasionally thesehydrangeasdon’t flower the summer after planting , even ifthey make it the wintertime .

Several issues could contribute to a lack of blooms , include the dirt , growing conditions , or how the plant was pruned . Or , a combination of these variables could be the reason for a lack of blooms . If you ’re scramble to palaver your snowball hydrangea into producing a wealthiness of heyday , try these gratuity for a beautiful show every summer .

Snowball hydrangeas are toxic to both humans and animal .

snowball hydrangea

Credit: Matthew Benson

Give Your Snowball Hydrangea Ideal Growing Conditions

If you ’ve just buy a snowball hydrangea plant life , carefully think where to locate it . This hydrangea will grow 3 to 5 feet , so place it where it can reach its full size .

The bush tolerates several dirt types but does best in rich , consistently moist , well - drained soil . It ’s especially authoritative to keep your freshly implant snowball hydrangea well watered through its first year while it gets build .

The works blooms best with morning Lord’s Day and afternoon spook or in mottled shade all day . The more morning sun it gets , the better it blooms . However , stronger good afternoon sun can sear the leaves .

Incrediball Smooth Hydrangea

Credit: Bob Stefko

Know Your Hydrangea’s Bloom Time

ask your snowball hydrangeato bloomfrom June to September . If you ’ve planted your shrub in the idealistic growing conditions but do n’t get flowers the first year , your industrial plant might still be accommodate to its novel location . This intend the shrub is likely putting more get-up-and-go into tooth root growth than flush yield , so be patient — you may see flower next yr .

Snowball hydrangea flowers will be flesh out and change from pallid green to off - white during the summertime . The flower oral sex will remain attractive through summertime and into fall .

Roberto Machado Noa / Getty Images

Close up of the bloom of a smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

Credit:Roberto Machado Noa / Getty Images

Check Your Plant Hardiness Zone

Snowball hydrangea thrives inUSDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9 . This signify it can survive winter temperature down to -40 ° degree Fahrenheit . If you are n’t certain which geographical zone you hold out in , you may come to to the USDA Hardiness Zone map to confirm whether this type of hydrangea will survive in your area ’s weather condition before you buy a plant for your landscape .

Prune Snowball Hydrangea in Late Winter

pare your hydrangea at the wrong clock time of class can cause a lack of blossom . Snowball hydrangea blooms on the current time of year ’s growth , also known as novel wood . Pruning in later springtime or early summer follow the appearance of new growth results in potential blossom bud remotion . It ’s best toprune your snowball hydrangeato the ground in late winter so strong new prow will grow and produce tidy sum of flush buds the undermentioned summer .

Frequently Asked Questions

hydrangea tend to grow quickly . They typically only take 2 - 4 years to reach their full size . However , it reckon on their exact sort and growing condition .

These plants grow best when place on the eastern side of your home . This will give them morn sun and shade in the afternoon when it bewilder hotter out , which is great for preventing sun scorch .

Brown leaves could be do by a turn of government issue . It could be the result of over - fertilization , too much sunlight , too much H2O , or not getting enough water .

Hydrangea . ASPCA .

Hydrangea Arborescens . North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox .