Hydrangea Endless Summer®

The hydrangea Endless Summer is a very special plant among hydrangeas. Because it is extremely hardy, easy to care for and presents itself in a fascinating, magnificent pink and blue bloom all year round.
Origin of the special hydrangea
The first hydrangea cultivars arrived in the 18th century. Century from Japan to England. Many different forms and varieties have been bred since that time. This is also the case with the hydrangea Endless Summer, which was developed by the renowned breeder Prof. Dr. Michael Dirr the University of Georgia has been discovered. It has also been available on the German market since 2003 and has been decorating numerous gardens and front gardens since then.
The Endless Summer has some special features compared to other hydrangeas. Because the hydrangea flowers 10 to 12 weeks longer in the year and forms approx. new flowers every 6 weeks, which shine in all their splendor in the same summer.
Endless summer hydrangeas in winter
Another great advantage of the plant: its high frost resistance and the ability to overwinter outdoors without damage even at temperatures down to -30 ° C. In addition, the hydrangea is also able to flower in colder climates because it is not relies on annual shoots for flower formation and blooms on both old and new wood. Due to its extraordinary robustness, it is possible to leave the hydrangea outdoors in the tub for the winter.
But even if the Endless Summer hydrangeas are very hardy, young plants in particular should be in the period of the Late frosts get a cover because the plant starts to flower quite early and these flower heads do not are frost hardy.
Other characteristics of the hydrangea Endless Summer:

• ball-shaped flowers with a diameter of 15 cm - 20 cm
• Flowering period extends from May to October
• the plant reaches a height of between 100 cm and 130 cm
• large deciduous leaves
• absolutely hardy
• Frost damage does not affect the number of flowers

Location and ground for endless summer
The hydrangea thrives both in the sun and in the shade, but prefers a partially shaded place, which ideally has sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. The soil should be permeable, free of lime and rich in humus. If the location does not meet the requirements of this hydrangea species, it can also after several Can be transplanted in spring without any problems for years because it is compact and very fine Root system.
Cutting the Endless Summer
The blending of this hydrangea is much easier due to the flowering behavior. Therefore, if necessary, the Endless Summer can easily be pruned in spring without having to forego a rich flower blessing in summer. However, you should limit yourself to beauty care with young plants and only remove annoying branches.
If, on the other hand, it is a question of lush older plants, a shape cut can also be made, but this must not extend into the old wood. During the summer it is advisable to remove withered flowers above the next leaf base so that the flower formation is encouraged. As early as August, the hydrangea can then be thinned a little so that the inner area of ​​the Plant receives sufficient light, as a high proportion of light has a positive effect on bud formation.
Old flowers remain on the hydrangea from winter to spring as they act as frost protection for the formation of new buds. In order to prevent the shoots from breaking off in the case of very heavy flowers, the hydrangea Endless Summer can be supported. The plant should be thinned out for the first time after 5 to 6 years by removing a good third of the oldest shoots.
Water hydrangea Endless Summer
In the hot and dry summer period, the hydrangea Endless Summer needs sufficient water and uniform soil moisture. If there are few flowers and very lush leaves, this is a sign of overwatering. It is also normal for this type of hydrangea to appear a little wilted in the heat of the day for a short period of time, but this is regulated by a normal supply of water. It is therefore better to water the plant a little more at regular intervals in the tub than to water it every day.
Fertilize properly
Hydrangeas are fertilized with a special one Hydrangea fertilizer or a nitrogen-based complete fertilizer that must only contain a little phosphorus because the plants cannot tolerate too much phosphorus. It can be fertilized in spring and as a long-term fertilizer again in early summer. If the plants grow in the garden, the fertilizer should have a firm consistency, while potted hydrangeas with liquid fertilizer receive regular fertilization from March to August. In August, when the plant is in full bloom, the fertilization is finished because now it no longer needs as much nutrient.
Since every gardener can determine the color of his hydrangea Endless Summer himself, the acidity (pH value) of the soil is of great importance. It shines in a soft pink in soils with a low acidic pH 5.5. With a low pH of 4 to 4.5 and aluminum oxide, beautiful blue flowers will form.
If the hydrangea should keep its blue color or pink flowers turn blue, rainwater can be used on the one hand be poured and on the other hand, a little peat is given to the plant - because both will increase the pH value in the soil reduce. In addition, she should be given special fertilizers that contain aluminum alum. If the soil has the required pH, the hydrangea can obtain the necessary nutrients from the fertilizer for coloring. Due to these different soil requirements, when using special mixed fertilizers for hydrangeas it is essential to ensure that they contain aluminum.

Worth knowing about the hydrangea Endless Summer in brief
The hydrangea Endless Summer is an easy-care, undemanding plant that is characterized by its winter hardiness at temperatures even down to -30 ° C. It forms new flowers all summer even on young shoots and shines in all its splendor around 10 to 12 weeks longer a year. Like all plants, the Endless Summer hydrangea should be watered regularly and fertilized in spring or late summer. It is suitable as a potted or free-standing plant and has a pink or blue flower color depending on the nature of the soil.

• Endless Summer is a new type of hydrangea whose name promises an endlessly long flowering period.
• Hydrangeas have so far bloomed on biennial wood. However, Endless Summer also blooms on the fresh shoots.
• Their large leaves make them ideal for taking with you bamboo, Japanese maple or feather spar.
• The hydrangea Endless Summer is also ideal as a Container plant for terraces, balconies, house entrances and lawns.
• As a container plant, Endless Summer should be regularly supplied with sufficient water and long-term fertilizers.
• In the dry summer period, additional water is required. It thrives splendidly even without a pruning.
• That Cut should be limited to beauty care. Dried up or too thin shoots take the plant's strength out of use.
• The soil should be rich in humus, permeable and neutral to acidic. The ball-shaped flower heads are 15 to 20 centimeters tall.
• The plant grows compact and reaches a height of up to 150 centimeters.
• Endless Summer is absolutely hardy, down to minus 30 ° C.

Conventional hydrangeas reacted to slight frost damage with reduced flower formation or complete flower failure. If you cut off the flowers of the new variety, it forms side shoots and continues to bloom. It will develop new buds and flowers throughout the summer until late autumn. Even when dried, the flowers still have their charm and are therefore often used in dry floristry.

Hydrangeas change their flower color depending on the nature of the soil. In particularly acidic soil, the color changes from pink to blue. In order to keep the color of the flowers pink, the soil must be alkaline. For this, lime is used several times a year or a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content is added to the plant.