Comments on: Endless Summer Hydrangea

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:13:10 +0000

My endless summer’s blooms have turned rusty, small and there are brown spots on the leaves. I’ve seen the comments on brown spots but not any on the blooms losing color and turning rusty.

Hi Brenda
Have the blooms been around for a while?

By: David

David — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:42:20 +0000

Pruning
I live in southern Rhode Island and have 3 thriving “endless summers” that are growing faster than I anticipated. All have huge blue flowers that fade to a lavendar color after several weeks. They are 3 years old and at least 4 ft high. A number of the stems now droop with very large flowers at their ends. I would like to cut them back , but I am afraid of doing harm. Can I cut the stems back at least a foot in the spring and help shape the plant without damaging or killing? Also should I add acidity to the soil to prolong the blue color of the flowers or is this normal.
(date: 10/22/09)

Hi David
Because it blooms both on new and old wood, you can cut back your Endless summer hydrangea even by 1/2. The best time to do this is when the plant is dormant-late winter. I believe the soil on the east coast has a tendency to be acidic (low ph) which causes your flowers to naturally bloom a blue color. If they have been blooming blue in the past few years, then it is normal and you don’t need to change the ph of the soil.

By: veronica

veronica — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:23:31 +0000

what are the reason hydrangeas die?Can they be revived?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:39:50 +0000

ES hydrangea growing pains
I planted 2 endless summer hydrangeas this summer. 2 weeks after planting, one had the back half of the leaves wilt and brown, I plucked off the leaves and have been keeping a careful eye on it. I did notice some spider mites and sprayed for them. The plant still has some bloom starts and has new growth that looks good. Well, over a month later my other hydrangea has done the same thing (still has a pretty bloom and a good number of starts), only the leaves are wilting all over it. Is it shock? fungus? over watering? or something else? When I bought them they had a rust color on some of the older leaves, but the new leaves were nice and green…
I water every 3 days or so, soaking at the base.
I used a root-stimulator when I planted them, but now that it is August and the weather is cooler I’ve been hesitant to use it again.
I live in zone 4, they do get some afternoon sun, probably 2 hours or so and they get some morning sun as well.

Hi Jessica
Until the hydrangea is totally established, it will have some “growing pains” and struggle. They can take up to 3 years to acclilmate and grow well. New healthy growth is a good sign. Hot afternoon sun is not the best location for it, but it may adjust once the roots are established. Do not feed with a balanced fertilizer after mid-Aug, you really don’t want to stimulate new leaf growth. On the other hand, you can use the root-stimulant every two weeks up thru September to encourage more root growth. A root stimulant only feeds the roots and doesn’t promote leaf growth. Check the label as to dosage and number times of application

By: birgit

birgit — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:44:41 +0000

I live in Southern Ontario and planted an Endless Summer hydrangea in the spring. It was absolutely beautiful and seemed healthy until one day last week. I came into the garden and the leaves and flowers were lying wilted on the ground. I assumed it needed water which I gave it but now the majority of the plant is brown and wilted. Has it died or will it come back?

Hi Birgit
I’m not sure what happened to your hydrangea. The period after transplanting is very critical for the plants survival. They need to be pampered and stress free. It may have been overwatered or underwatered, planted too deep or in poorly drained soil. Has the weather been hot lately? At any rate the roots are not strong enough to support the plant, therefore causing the wilting. It’s too early to tell if your hydrangea will survive.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:17:50 +0000

My endless summer hydrangeas are 4 years old and healthy with lots of large blooms. However, they have grown far larger than anticipated and I’d like to move to a larger/open spot. Can they be moved? If so, when is the best time to move in order to avoid shock to root system? Spring, fall?

Hi Michelle
You can move them in the fall when they are dormant (drop their leaves) or early spring.

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:10:12 +0000

I bought 2 endless summer hydrangeas at the beginning of July that were full of pink blooms. I know that July isn’t the best time for transplanting, but neede d to do so because of the long stretch of time that I would be at home to water them. The blooms have lost their color and have turned dark. The leaves and stems seem to be fine.

Is this because of the transplanting? Should I deadhead the blooms? Will new blooms come before the end of the season? Thanks for your advice!

Hi Donna
When a plant is stressed because of transplanting the first thing to go are the flowers. It’s hard enough for the roots to maintain the leaves. Deadhead the blooms and once the plant gets acclimated and sends out new growth, it may bloom again this year. If not look for flowers next year.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:38:00 +0000

I have 3 endless summer hydrangeas and none of them really get any flowers on them. This year one of them got a lot of buds on it but the flowers never bloomed. Any suggestions on what I can do to get flowers on my hydrangeas? I’m not even worried about the color, I just want some flowers. Thanks.

Hi Jennifer
The article on http://hortchat.com/info/hydrangia-carehydrangia-care” rel=”nofollow”>Hydrangia care will give you some ideas why your Endless Summer is not blooming. It may take your hydrangea up to 3 years to get acclimated after planting. Which means that they spend all their energy making roots and no flowers. Have you fertilized this year?

By: TiAnna

TiAnna — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:45:59 +0000

Hi,
I recently moved to a place where I have three lovely Hydrangas growing on the east side of my home. They are lovely, productive; and, my landlord tells me the plants have never looked “so good” with other tenants. Problem: the blossoms of one of the plants are turning brown. The color and blossoms are large(or small), full bodied and amonst the beautiful color…the blossoms are turning brown. I thoroughly water every other day…when the weather is rather warm…3-4 days, depending on the weather. I live in the Sacramento Valley; and can only find information on leaves tuning brown. Suggestions? Thanks,

Hi TiAnna
The flowers and buds on your hydrangea may be infected with botrytis, a fungal disease also known as grey mold. It attacks all plant parts and is a results of rain, standing water, overhead watering or dew at temperatures between 32-84 degrees. Try to avoid any overhead watering that is usually the culprit. You can treat it with a fungicide before blooming to reduce the infection. Botrytis will winter over in the soil and on plant debris, so be sure to remove and destroy any infected plant parts.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:07:21 +0000

Just a note. It rained Friday night and the droopy hydrangea looks great. I guess it just needed more water than I was giving it.

Good to hear its improving. The overcast day will also give it some time to recoup.