Hydrangea Macrophylla Care Instructions

Hydrangea, 'Endless Summer'

Endless Summer This spectacular summer-bloomer flowers on both old and new wood; enormous deep pink globe-shaped flowers turn blue in acidic soil, somewhat coarse leaves.

Bigleaf Hydrangea. Includes: Endless Summer® Bloomstruck®, Endless Summer® Blushing Bride, Endless Summer® Summer Crush, Endless Summer® Twist-n-Shout™

Category: Summer-blooming deciduous shrubs with lovely, domed flowers Habit: Multi-stemmed shrubs that have a naturally rounded silhouette

Sunlight: Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade

Soil Conditions: Moist (Typical)

Growth rate: Moderate/fast Fertilization: Make two spring applications (4-6 weeks apart, starting when the ground has thawed) of a low nitrogen/high phosphorous fertilizer such as Dr. Earth Bud & Bloom Booster to promote flowering. This is not optional, as they’re heavy phosphorous consumers.

Landscape benefits and culture: The pink flowers are much sought after. Flower color is dependent (in this Hydrangea species only) upon soil pH. In our alkaline soils they’ll be pink. If you want “blue” flowers incorporate an acidifying agent such as sulfur (preferred) or aluminum sulphate into the soil at planting time, and do multiple “top dressings” of these materials directly to the soil surface throughout the year.

Pruning: These new varieties have the potential to bloom on both previous and current year’s growth. Therefore, wait until late winter/very early spring to do removal of dead stems or stem ends. Like roses, it will be very obvious by that time what’s dead tissue, and what’s still green and potentially viable. Don’t be alarmed if you have to do considerable removal of winter-killed stems. That’s relatively common even if you’ve made the effort to supply some type of winter protection.

Potential pests/issues: Leaf spots (especially if receiving constant overhead watering from irrigation systems) that are cosmetic rather than harmful.