Want gorgeous, colorful blooms? Here are some top tips from our experts on how to ensure your hydrangea looks amazing all summer long.
Hydrangea Macrophylla
Varieties include Endless Summer
BloomStruck, Summer Crush, Dream Cloud, Pop Star, The Original, Twist-n-Shout
These hydrangeas like morning sun and to be shaded in afternoon. They bloom on old and new wood, meaning continuous blooms from spring through fall. This also means that it is hard to find a good time to prune the without removing potential blooms. We suggest not pruning the macrophylla hydrangea varieties, but luckily they are compact, staying 2-3 feet tall.
These hydrangeas, they bloom different colors based on the pH of the soil. For Summer Crush, if the soil is more acidic, the blooms will lean more purple, this can also be replicated if the soil is treated with Acid Special or Garden Lime. If the soil is more basic or alkaline, the blooms will lean more hot pink. The Original hydrangea has big blue blooms already and will continue to as long as the soil stays acidic but will lean pink if you treat the soil with a product like garden lime or aluminum sulfate to maintain alkalinity.
Hydrangea Panicle
Varieties include Bobo, Little Lime, Limelight
The Panicle hydrangea is hot sun tolerant and low maintenance, and they also bloom on new wood. Meaning they create their flower buds on the new stems they produce that year and after they’ve leafed out in the spring. Pruning in the late fall is encouraged to create stronger stems, a overall good shape, and better blooms.
Panicle describes the shape of the blooms which are extra-large and pointed. They bloom in the late spring, early summer and start out as white. As the seasons go on the blooms start to have red and pinkish tones. Unlike the macrophylla hydrangeas, you cannot influence the color of the blooms with additives like garden lime or aluminum sulfate.
