My Clethra shrubs are not blooming flowers

by Diane Deakin
(Newtown, CT)

Hi,


For some reason several of my Clethra shrubs did not produce flowers this season (they're approx 3 years old).

Can you think of a reason why this would be? Otherwise, they seem to be quite healthy (plenty of greenery). Should I try fertilizer? If so, when?

Also, since they are about 3 years old, they are in need of pruning. Can you advise me as to when and how to prune them?

Thanks,
Diane Deakin

Flower Clethra Shrub

Hi Diane,

it would be interesting to know whether your shrubs did flower well in the previous seasons?
There could be several reasons for this:




Photo courtesy of KingsbraeGarden



  • The growing conditions are not correct. Clethra shrubs like sun to part shade and a moist, acidic soil. If your plants are too shaded they won't flower well. They should have at least half a day of sun. Maybe the trees behind them grew too big in the meantime and are shading them too much?

  • The ground could be too rich. If you use a lot of fertilizer with too much nitrogen it encourages a lot of lush growth but no flowers. The plants go very leafy.

  • The ground is too dry.

  • The plants are not mature or established enough yet to produce flowers.



If your Sweet Pepper Bush gets too much shade you could try to cut back overhanging trees to give them a bit more light. Alternatively you could transplant them to a sunnier spot. You could also try a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen but high in potash. Potash encourages flowering and fruiting. Tomato fertilizers are usually high in potash. Apply the fertilizer during spring.


If your soil tends to dry out try a layer of mulch around the plants to keep the moisture in the ground.



Pruning Clethra Bushes:


You can prune your Sweet Pepper Bushes in late winter or early spring. Remove damaged branches first, right at the base. Then remove old and woody branches. Cut back about one third of the old growth to encourage new shoots.



Hope this helps! Send us a picture when they flower!



Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Gardening Problems FAQs.


Back to top

Get our FREE Seed Starting Guide!

Enter your email and download your free guide!


Recent Articles

  1. Growing Cauliflower - Tips & Tricks For Growing The Perfect Curd

    Follow these tips for growing cauliflower to harvest large heads. Learn about the conditions a cauliflower plant needs to grow well and how to grow this vegetable from seeds.

  2. Growing Broccoli - How To Grow Broccoli Plants In The Vegetable Garden

    Growing Broccoli is not difficult and you are rewarded with a delicious and nutricious vegetable. Learn about harvesting and planting broccoli and the different varieties.

  3. Vertical Gardening Ideas - How To Build A DIY Food Tower

    Vertical gardening ideas for growing lots of delicious vegetables in a small space. How to build a food tower and tips for vertical vegetable gardening.