Why are there no flowers on my Eucryphia nymansay ?
By Stickitoffee
Worcestershire,
United Kingdom 
Why are there no flowers on this shrub? It has now been in this situation for 4 or 5 years and not a sign of a flower, should I prune it to encourage any flowers?
20 May, 2012
Answers
Whatever that shrub is, it doesn't look very well - I don't recognise it currently, and I wouldn't suggest pruning it without knowing what it is. Why did you expect flowers by now this year Stickitoffee - has it flowered before? Perhaps a photograph of the whole plant would be useful for ID purposes - looks like it might be evergreen, is that the case?
20 May, 2012
it hasnt flowered in all that time and yes its evergreen, i have put another photo on, hope that helps
no definitely not hydrangea, sorry i dont have the list of what went in any more!
20 May, 2012
Your second pic (first photo above) definitely rules out hydrangea. Sorry I can't help.
20 May, 2012
I don't have a clue what this is I'm afraid, don't recognise it at all, hopefully someone else will. Have you ever pruned it?
20 May, 2012
The second pic looks like a Rhododendron !!!
20 May, 2012
I thought Rhododendron from the first pic,Andy, but why would anyone plant a rhododendron in non acidic soil and in too much sun, because that's what it looks like its suffering from ... so I ruled it out... When I say first pic, it is now the second, of course... also the growth habit - its a bit tall and lanky for a rhodie, isn't it?
20 May, 2012
LOL bamboo....i was just looking at how the growth emerged in the 2nd pic that made me think of Rhodo. Trouble is...even the wildest rhodo tends to have a more flat/rounded type of growth rather that upwards as in pic 1.
Im stumped !!!!
20 May, 2012
Yea, join the club...
20 May, 2012
It's not a rhododendron but this is acidic soil, very shady position too.
20 May, 2012
i found my list!!
its meant to be:Eucryphia nymansay
does that help??
25 May, 2012
Doesn't flower till late summer if that's what it is. Prefers acid soil conditions, in full sun, but prefers its roots to be shaded, rather like clematis, so feet in the shade, head in the sun. Tolerates alkaline, but does best in acid conditions.
25 May, 2012
acid soil no problem but its not in full sun. in 4 years it has had no flowers or buds
it currently gets around 4 to 5 hours of sun per day???
25 May, 2012
Well, maybe it'll flower this year, at the right time...
27 May, 2012
thanks anyway, i hope so too bamboo
27 May, 2012
I watched a tv programme a long time ago and the expert clematis grower said it was a myth that they like their roots in shade in fact they are not fussy but they do like to have the roots in moist soil. I'm not sure if yours could be desperately needing more water. Bamboo will be able to tell you whether they need more water than they would normally get in your area. Looking closely at some of the leaves on the second photo as we see them now, is it possible that it has been attacked by mildew which is often the result of too dry conditions. .
27 May, 2012
thank you scotsgran, its quite shady there and the soil is quite humus rich but it is very free draining, so maybe if i help it by giving extra water it might improve??
27 May, 2012
Fingers crossed. We seem to be on a new learning curve every season with all the unseasonable weather we have been having over the last few years.
28 May, 2012
sorry bamboo i missed your earlier comment ~ no i have never pruned it, might be tempted to by october!!
seems its strange all over the world scotsgran!! just have to enjoy what we have when its good i think??
carpe diem!!!
28 May, 2012
My first thought is it looked like one of the hydrangeas. Does that ring any bells for you?
20 May, 2012