Buds not opening

I am a new gardener and have inherited 2 plants which I belieive are either azalea or rhodedendron. Both plants seem in good order and the buds are in plenty but don't open at all. Can anyone tell me why?

 

If they are fairly established plants, its the wrong season for opening yet. You don't say whether they are indoor ones or outdoor containers. However, the ones you see in the garden centre can be treated to make them flower early. If they are looking well and healthy, just have patience, and they should open in the early spring.

 

When did the buds appear? If these buds look healthy [ie they're green, not brittle and brown] and are from this year, it is because they develop over summer and winter, and flower sometime in spring depending on variety, unless they are damaged by winter conditions. Most outdoor varieties can tolerate cold but do not like wet, windy weather.
There are varieties that are not frost hardy; do you know if yours have always been outside?
In general they are acid loving plants, and if you live in a hard water area try to use rain water if they are dry.[Wigan sounds as if you might get soft welsh water?]

 

Sorry Fran, overlapped :eek:

 

Many thanks for replies. The plants are outside. Sounds like I just need to hang on in there and wait for the spring!

 

If the bulbs don't progress don't worry - they'll drop off and new ones will come next year.