Large, showy blooms, beautiful colors and the ability to rebloom all season long
are what Endless Summer Hydrangeas are all about. Best of all, both Endless
Summer The Original and Endless Summer Blushing Bride are easy to grow. Here
are a few tips to make these plants even more enjoyable.
Watering
Bigleaf hydrangeas demand consistently moist, well-drained soil. This is
especially true during the first season after planting when the roots have not
yet penetrated the surrounding soil. Water your plant with a good soaking two
to three times per week rather than a little every day, which will encourage a
deeper root system and a healthier plant. Your hydrangea will immediately let
you know when it needs water by letting its leaves droop. Adding organic matter
to your soil and mulching will help to maintain an evenly moist soil.
Light Requirements
Both Endless Summer The Original and Endless Summer Blushing Bride prefer a
semi-shaded site with morning sun and afternoon shade being the ideal. Planted
in containers and given a regular water supply, both hydrangeas can also do
well in full sun.
Pruning
To encourage rebloom, remove spent flowers. Because Endless Summer blooms on new
growth, you don
’t have to wait until the next season to see armfuls of new blooms.
Endless Summer Hydrangeas are quite forgiving and will not suffer if left
unpruned or pruned at the wrong time. In fact, young, recently-planted shrubs
are best left alone. Unlike other hydrangeas, your Endless Summer will bloom on
both old and new growth.
Another unique feature is that this hydrangea will continue to set buds and
bloom throughout the season; deadheading the spent flowers will encourage this.
Feel free to cut the blooms for drying or fresh cut in vases because you will
actually encourage the plant to produce more blossoms. Spring is the best time
to prune. Many people like to leave the spent blooms on their plant because it
adds winter interest. It may also act to insulate the new buds from frost and
cold. They should be removed in spring however.
Fertilizing
To encourage flowering, fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus is
recommended, with a number over 30. For instance, an N-P-K ratio of 10-30-10 is
ideal.
