This evergreen shrub likes partial shade from the hot afternoon sun or the buds could dry up but they also need water during the dry times of late summer when the flower buds are forming. If the plant is stressed from dry soil it will make new leaves rather than flowers the following spring. Pruning in early spring can also remove flower buds. If you do prune this shrub do it after the plant has finished blooming in the spring. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti