We love hydrangeas that develop massive blooms, but not when they flop over! Here are 3 reasons why your hydrangea may be flopping:
Severe pruning. When hydrangeas are cut back severely, the plant responds by rapidly pushing out a lot of soft new growth – this happens so quickly that it doesn’t have the time to develop the strong woody cells that keep the branches upright. It’s typically temporary for that season, and if it is pruned properly the following spring, it can recover. That means cutting it back by just 1/3 its total height in late winter/early spring.
Too much shade. Growing in too much shade will encourage the plant to grow tall in search of light, but with weak stems. If your plant is receiving less than 4 hours of direct sunlight a day, we recommend transplanting it to an area with more sun.
Excess fertilizer. Applying too much fertilizer to your hydrangeas will encourage them to grow quickly, but with very weak stems. Make sure you are not overfertilizing your shrubs. They only need a boost once a season!