For years now I have wanting to plant some Hydrangea's in our yard. About three years ago we decided to plant them.
Granted I have seen Hydrangea's over the years in other people's gardens and yards but did not know what to expect. We live in a zone 5 and the growing season is about Mid May until about early October. Therefore the hydrangea's never get really big but they do bloom well in our zone.
If you live in the warmer climates hydrangea's tend to do get larger. In the warmer climates they may fair better with some shade for a few hours a day instead of direct sun. In the cooler climates it's okay for full sun just be sure to check them on a daily basis as this plant does require frequent watering.
The Endless Summer Hydrangea is know to be the more popular of the plants and while some may agree if it lives up to it's hype or not it all has to do with planting, care and maintaining the garden. Whether you love them or not it's worth a try to plant one in your yard because when it bloom during the summer it create one of the more beautiful plants and flowers.
Endless Summer blooms from early summer to the first frost. Milder climates should see pretty consistent blooms until around Thanksgiving, except for a brief week or two in August when they may get a little sparse. Northerners will see full blooms for 3-4 months.
Most other hydrangeas only bloom early for a few weeks, then their done… thus the name “Endless Summer”.
Endless Summer grows in shady spots in the North - zone 4, as well as full sun. If you are in the deep south you should avoid long exposure to the afternoon sun.
They do love moist soil and wilt in the afternoon if they get too dry. Otherwise, they are very tolerant to both extreme heat and extreme cold.
The big mop-head type blooms, up to 8" in diameter, are pink or blue depending on soil pH. Use aluminum sulfate to change alkaline soil to acid and make blooms bluer, or add lime to the soil to make the flowers pinker (begin soil treatments well in advance of flowering, as in late autumn or early spring). Large, dark green foliage adds to this showy summer bloomer and blooms through the summer and fall every year. They tend to attract butterflies, birds and bees. Some pruning may be required in late fall early spring depending on the climate. Check with your local garden center to learn more.
