My husband and I bought a house almost a year ago and this spring is basically like waiting to open Christmas presents, since it is the first spring in our new house. So far we have lots of Crocus' popping up everywhere and daffodils making their way above the surface. My concern is the Hydrangea that we have growning on the side of our home and out in the back yard. When we moved in early last summer, the Hydrangea were starting to get full of foliage, but they never developed any blooms. They had woody stalks when we first saw the house while house hunting, so we know that they were planted at least the year or two before we bought the house. Is there any other reason why they did not bloom and what can I do to be sure they bloom this year? I have heard that the woody stalks should never be cut back because they grow off the previous years wood. Can the stalks without any buds on them be cut off?. Also, the Hydrangea in the back yard developed a powdery coating on its leaves last summer. Is that mold or disease? Any help will be greatly appreciated, as I am dying to know what color these Hydrangea will be!