How to Grow and Care for Endless Summer Hydrangeas, a Low-Maintenance Variety With a 4-Month Blooming Season

Endless Summer hydrangeas may look delicate, but they're a tough, winter-hardy variety that has an unusually long blooming season. The deciduous shrub is a lush ball of pink, blue, or white petals with glossy leaves and dark green foliage that takes on a burgundy hue in fall. A type of re-blooming bigleaf hydrangea, the variety grows on both the previous and current season's growth. This gives way to long blooming flowers that add a wow factor to any landscape.

Endless Summer hydrangeas are disease resistant and hardy in USDA growing zones 4 to 9, meaning they have a tolerance for both cold and hot temperatures. It's a great beginner flower for anyone that wants hydrangeas in their yard, but doesn't know how to start. 

How to Plant Endless Summer Hydrangeas

Endless Summer hydrangeas aren’t available by seed—they can only be planted in shrub form. Start by choosing where you want to plant them. "Pick a spot that will accommodate your hydrangea at its mature size," says Ryan Mcenaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.

1. Amend your soil. 
2. Dig a hole slightly bigger than the pot your hydrangea came in. It should be deep enough so that where the plant meets the soil is flush to the ground. 
3. Place your plant in the middle of the hole. 
4. Back fill in the sides with soil. 
5. Water thoroughly at the base of the plant, let the water soak in, and water again.

How to Care for Endless Summer Hydrangeas

Despite being a relatively easy-to-care for plant, Endless Summer hydrangeas require some routine attention if you want to encourage season-long blooms.

Sunlight

Endless Summer hydrangeas should be planted in a place that receives morning sun and dappled afternoon shade. "The amount of sun they can tolerate depends on the zone," says Mcenaney. "Endless Summer hydrangeas that are planted in zone 4 can tolerate more afternoon sun than those planted in zone 9."

Water

Although hydrangeas are a water-loving plant, they don't like too much. As a general rule, only hydrate if the soil is dry. Water the ground underneath the entire width of the stems—not just at the base—and avoid adding water over the top of the foliage. "Give your plant a good even soak, as it's better to water deeply and less frequently than a little bit every day," says Mcenaney. Water in the morning to give time for the water to soak into the soil and roots before the hot summer sun creeps up. 

Soil

This hydrangea type does best when planted in soil that is well-draining and nutrient rich. Loam is the ideal soil type, but you can treat your soil with the necessary amendments if needed. 

Fertilizer

Avoid over-fertilizing your Endless Summer hydrangeas, which can burn the root system and disrupt them from blossoming. Just one application of granular fertilizer in the spring or early summer will do the trick. 

How to Prune Endless Summer Hydrangeas

Pruning your hydrangeas will encourage them to produce more blooms. "Start by removing any dead or damaged wood," says gardening expert Molly E. Williams. "Look for branches that are brown or black and crispy or easy to break. Cut these branches back to healthy wood, making the cut just above a healthy bud."

Also remove any weak or crossing branches, which can rub against each other and lead to damage on the stems, leaving your plant susceptible to pests and diseases. Cut these branches back to the main stem or a healthy lateral branch, making sure to always cut on a 45-degree angle. 

How to Repot Endless Summer Hydrangeas

Endless Summer hydrangeas also make great container plants. Once the shrub gets too big for its vessel, though, you will need to repot it so it has more room to grow. 

1. Choose a container that is larger than the one your plant came in and has drainage holes in the bottom. 
2. Fill the container with potting mix and place your hydrangea in the center, making sure the soil line is a couple inches below the top of the container. 
3. Shake the roots at the bottom and place the plant in the container. 
4. Fill the sides with potting soil. 
5. Water thoroughly at the base of the plant, let the water soak in, and water again.

Winterization

Typically, Endless Summer hydrangeas should survive winter without added help, but there are some things you can do to protect them during colder months. "Applying a layer of mulch around the base of your hydrangea plant can help insulate the roots and protect them from freezing temperatures," says Williams. "Apply a layer of mulch about 2 to 3 inches deep, but be careful not to pile it up against the base of the plant."

You should also continue watering the plant until frost arrives in your area. "When the plant starts going dormant and you see the leaves falling off, the snow and rain should be enough to keep the plant hydrated until spring," says Mcenaney.

Types of Endless Summer Hydrangeas

There are six varieties in the Endless Summer family, each with varying colors and sizes. 

• Endless Summer Pop Star Bigleaf Hydrangea: A compact hydrangea that brings color to the landscape, Pop Star has lacecap blooms of electric blue or bright pink, depending on the soil pH. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
• Endless Summer Summer Crush Bigleaf Hydrangea: Summer Crush is a compact hydrangea that has large raspberry red or neon purple blooms, depending on the soil pH. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
• Endless Summer BloomStruck Bigleaf Hydrangea: BloomStruck has striking red stems and bright rose-pink or blue-purple blooms, depending on the soil pH. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
• Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout Bigleaf Hydrangea: With beautiful lacecap flowers on a larger shrub, Twist-n-Shout is great as a border or mid-size hedge. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
• Endless Summer The Original Bigleaf Hydrangea: The Original has traditional blue or soft pink flowers, depending on the soil pH. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
• Endless Summer Blushing Bride Bigleaf Hydrangea: Blushing Bride has white semi-double flowers that contrast beautifully with its dark green leaves. Hardy in zones 5 to 9.
  

Common Problems

Although Endless Summer hydrangeas are disease resistant, there are still some problems you may encounter when you grow them.

Powdery Mildew

If you see a white-gray powder on your hydrangeas, they may be suffering from powdery mildew. It's most common when the weather is hot during the day and cool at night. "If you see this, remove the infected leaves from the plant, pick up any fallen leaves around the plant, and discard the items in a tied garbage bag," says Mcenaney. Powdery mildew can be prevented by planting your hydrangea in an area where it has room to grow and by watering in the morning at the base of your plant.

Anthrancnose

Anthrancnose typically causes dark spots on leaves, which can happen during wet spring conditions. Remove the infected areas and pick up any nearby fallen leaves and discard. "Prevent this by watering your plant correctly," says Mcenaney. "Water only when the soil is dry, water at the base of the plant, not over the flowers and leaves, and water heavily, but less frequently."

Cercospora

This plant disease causes well defined, small brown spots on the leaves of your hydrangea. Remove the infected areas and pick up any nearby fallen leaves and discard. This can be prevented by only watering the base of the plant—not over the flowers and leaves—when the soil is dry.

Botrytis

Causing discolored flower heads and gray mold on foliage, botrytis occurs most in conditions with poor air circulation and high humidity. As is the case with other plant diseases, if you see signs of botrytis you should remove the infected leaves from the plant, pick up any fallen leaves, and discard. "Prevent this by planting your hydrangea in a spot that gives it room to grow and by watering in the morning at the base of the plant, not over the flowers and leaves," says Mcenaney.