ONLY 1 OF 4 PLANTS BLOOMED LAST SUMMER. THIS SPRING I HAVE GREEN BUDS AT GROUND LEVEL BUT NOT ON LAST YEAR’S WOODY STEMS. THE BUDS ON THE OLD STEMS ARE BROWN AND APPEAR TO BE DEAD. SHOULD I CUT THE OLD STEMS TO THE GROUND? HALFWAY? WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

Don’t jump to conclusions that you are doing something wrong! First, I would cut back the plants midway to encourage the energy to go into growing new stems and foliage. Then, apply a balanced fertilizer that is a little higher in phosphorous; the middle NPK number. Phosphorous helps grow flowers. A fertilizer that is high in nitrogen will grow lush leaves and fewer flowers. The best time to fertilize flowering shrubs is in spring. Be certain your plants receive regular water, at the base and not overhead, all summer long. Also, check throughout the growing year to see how much sun they are getting. At least morning sun is vital to most flowering shrubs. Here’s a link to additional planting and care tips. And, please check back in to let me know how they are doing.