Hydrangeas are old, traditional cottage garden plants and can now be found in almost every garden due to their diversity of species and varieties. They are undemanding, easy to care for, will bloom and delight us for many years because they can get very old.
Garden hydrangea
This type, also known as ball hydrangea or farmer's hydrangea, is particularly well-known and popular. Even if not definitely winter hardy, it will find a place everywhere thanks to its size, which varies from 60 to 300 cm depending on the variety. It is therefore not surprising that newer varieties are mainly bred from this species.
Endless Summer®
One of these new breeds is the Endless Summer®. It grows to a height of 100 to 120 cm and, according to its name (in English endless summer), continuously waits for the whole summer through autumn with pink flower balls.
A variation of the classic Endless Summer® in pink is the `Bride, which inspires with snow-white flowers.
This variety is considered to be unusual for this species
blossoms
But it has even more to offer, because it is the only garden hydrangea to flower in the same year, even after it has been cut back. It also forms its flower balls on very young shoots, not just like other garden hydrangeas on older wood.
Already in the first year it comes up with 15 to 20 cm large flower balls and continuously forms new buds even in summer, which bloom in the same year. The removal of wilted inflorescences also stimulates the formation of new buds.
Their stamina is also special. It blooms continuously throughout the summer, while other garden hydrangeas usually take a short blooming break. It is also known for an enormous wealth of flowers.
The last flowers should stay on the plant over the winter, because they are also an ornament when dried and protect the buds directly below from too much
care
Hydrangeas have a high need for nutrients and water. Once the first leaves have formed, they should be given a special hydrangea fertilizer every four weeks.
The plant needs a lot of water, the soil should not dry out in summer. But do not pour over the flowers.
floor
As with all hydrangeas, the variety loves acidic soil. However, it is robust enough to cope with normal garden soil. In contrast to many other hydrangea species, it is also tolerant of lime.
If the soil is calcareous, the Endless Summer® will bloom in pink; if the soil is acidic, the flowers will turn blue. This can be achieved by adding a special fertilizer for blue hydrangea flowers. It should be given to the plant alternating with normal fertilizer, i.e. every 8 weeks.
Location
Hydrangeas like a sunny to partially shaded location, preferably a little sheltered from cold wind. A partially shaded spot is ideal, where the plant gets sun in the morning or in the evening; the hot midday sun is not well tolerated.
The Endless Summer® variety can also be kept very well in the bucket. However, since it needs a lot of water and nutrients, it is particularly important to ensure a constant supply, especially in the bucket. The pot should not be too small and with normal, good growth, repotting about every two years makes sense. With this plant, as with most others, you should not wait until the soil in the pot is completely rooted, as in that case of course
Cut back
A pruning of garden hydrangeas is not necessary, and the Endless Summer® does not require any. However, it is very pruning when required and, in contrast to other varieties of this species, it also forms flowers on annual shoots, not just on two-year-olds. Therefore, even after pruning, it blooms in the same year.
In some cases it can lead to a somewhat spreading growth, where it makes sense to shorten the shoots a little. It then usually grows a bit bushier. In addition, disturbing shoots can also be removed.
Due to the large and therefore heavy flower balls, some over-long, thin shoots are occasionally unable to hold their weight on their own and sink. If you don't want to support it, you can use the secateurs to shorten it to the point where the shoot becomes thicker.
It is best not to cut young, newly planted plants at all. In the first few years it makes the most sense to limit the trimming to slight corrections of the shape and only after about 5 to 6 years can the trimming be done correctly if necessary. For thinning, it is best to remove a third of all main shoots, namely the oldest and too dense growing ones.
Even if the Endless Summer® is considered to be particularly hardy, it is preferable to prune it in early spring after the late frosts. If necessary, it can also be cut back in autumn, but then some, especially new and thin shoots, can freeze to death.
