The magical flowers, along with the impressive leaves, are the showpiece of the bluebell tree. It is all the more disappointing when Paulownia tomentosa does not bloom. You can find out why this could be and what measures make sense below.
What's the reason why the bluebell tree doesn't bloom?
If the bluebell tree blooms only sparsely or not at all, it is usually due to care errors. The most common cause is tooradical pruningin the fall. But toocold winteras well aslate frost can also cause Paulownia tomentosa not to bloom.
When does the bluebell tree usually bloom?
The bluebell tree usually bloomsfrom April to the end of May. It forms panicles up to 40 cm long, which are usually blue or blue-violet, but sometimes also pink or white.
Important: Paulownia tomentosa usually blooms for the first time between the ages of six and ten. So if your bluebell tree is at this stage of its life or even younger, you may just need a little more patience.
What to do if the bluebell tree doesn't bloom?
If your bluebell tree isn't blooming, the first thing you should do is find out how old it is. It can take up to the tenth year before the attractive tree produces flowers for the first time.
If you can rule out being too young as a reason, we advise you to review yourcare measures and adjust them if necessary. Here is an overview of some aspects you should consider:
- prune the tree only moderately in autumn (just thin it out) to preserve the buds
- don't overdo it with fertilizing (keyword vegetative growth)
- Ensure a sunny, warm location
Tip
Flower buds form the previous year
The bluebell tree always sets its buds in the fall of the previous year. Therefore, you should be careful when pruning before winter or cut the tree before the buds form. It is also worth knowing that the flower buds are very sensitive to frost and can freeze in harsh winters.
