Why My Plants Won’t Bloom (Iris, Peonies, Lilacs, Wisteria, Rose of Sharon, Spring Bulbs - daffodils) It seems like these plants get more questions about why they “don’t” flower, than any others!  So, here are a few of the “excuses” we have collected as to why your plants may not be flowering.

Rose of Sharon (flower buds won’t open) - Too much shade (1/2 day sun or more) / Buds rot with too much rain or overhead irrigation / Buds will drop or not open from being too dry due to drought / Insect problems

Spring Bulbs (daffodils) - Fed with too much nitrogen (bulb foods are generally lower in N and higher in P and K or even numbers) / Bulbs are lacking nutrients / Plants competing with other plants for water, nutrients, etc. / Planted in too shady area (need ½ day sun) / Poor drainage in soils (bulbs rot) / Plant foliage cut off too early or tied up (foliage needs to remain as they normally grow for 6 weeks after flowering, or foliages yellows, whichever comes first) / Bulbs stressed from transplanting and skip a year of flowering / Bulbs not adjusting to climate planted in - flower first year and unable to build flowers for the following years / Virus or diseased or insect problems / Growing conditions previous year not conducive for establishing flower buds / Becoming too crowded and need to be dug and divided (competition with each other) / Sometimes they just won’t flower, period!