Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Jeddeloh Hemlock bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Jeddeloh Hemlock, Jeddeloh Eastern Hemlock, Bird's Nest Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh').

More about jeddeloh hemlock

About Jeddeloh Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' · also called Jeddeloh Hemlock, Jeddeloh Eastern Hemlock · flowering

Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' is a compact, semi-dwarf cultivar of Eastern Hemlock selected in Germany, forming a distinctive bird's nest mound with a natural central depression. It originates from the forests of eastern North America and is valued in UK and US gardens for its graceful, pendulous branchlets and fine dark-green needles with silver undersides. The most critical care requirement is protection from desiccating winds and afternoon sun, which scorch the foliage. Tsuga canadensis is not listed as toxic to cats or dogs by the ASPCA.

Plant type: flowering

The reasons jeddeloh hemlock isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming jeddeloh hemlock traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:

Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.

Feeding jeddeloh hemlock a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.

The fix — how to get jeddeloh hemlock to flower

Maximise sun. Give jeddeloh hemlock the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.

Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for jeddeloh hemlock and get the feeding right with the jeddeloh hemlock fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.

Bloom season and what to expect

Jeddeloh Hemlock flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.

Post-bloom care so it flowers again

Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.

For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full jeddeloh hemlock care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Jeddeloh Hemlock blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my jeddeloh hemlock flower?

Jeddeloh Hemlock blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.

How do I make jeddeloh hemlock bloom?

Give jeddeloh hemlock the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.

When does jeddeloh hemlock normally bloom?