The Endless Summer hydrangea thrives in partial shade and needs well-drained soil with consistent moisture. It does need some sunlight for photosynthesis and flowering potential, but overly hot direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
Sun and shade
Endless Summer Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, or roughly four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. It's best if they receive sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon.
Endless Summer hydrangeas grow best in partial sun. A location that receives morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal. If these hydrangeas are planted in full sun, conditions might be too hot and intense for the plants to produce blooms. Planting in too much shade can result in weak stems and fewer blooms.
Many people think that you need a shady garden in order to grow hydrangeas. While that is true for some varieties, some hydrangeas thrive in sunny spots and even need full sun to develop into the fullest plants and the brightest blooms.
Most hydrangeas prefer only morning sun. Yet one type of hydrangea can soak up the sun all day: the panicle hydrangea.
Just like Hydrangeas getting too much sun, a Hydrangea getting too much sun may develop wilting and yellowing leaves, even some brown spots.
Sun helps many varieties bloom, but full sun is rarely required. Bigleaf hydrangeas, which are the variety most people think of when they think of these popular shrubs, can take full sun in cooler areas (zones 4 to 6). But in warmer areas (zones 7 to 9), they do best with morning sun and afternoon shade.
TOO MUCH SUN
Conversely, too much direct sun may stress hydrangea plants, which can force them to conserve energy by not forming flowers.
4. All hydrangeas will turn brown if they wilt too many times in hot weather. Water these shrubs deeply every few days in the heat of the summer (note that hand watering isn't deep enough) and mulch around plants to hold moisture in the soil longer.
Provide Some Shade
Most varieties of hydrangea prefer shade during the heat of the day. Most varieties of hydrangea prefer afternoon shade. If you think your hydrangea can benefit from a break from the sun you can purchase shade cloth online or from your local garden center.
"Bigleaf hydrangeas, such as endless summer, should be deadheaded when the first set of flowers sprout from last year's growth in the spring," says Meyers. This eliminates the faded flowers before the next flush appears.
Hydrangea blossoms are at their best when they are well watered and well fed. Mulch also provides an evaporation barrier. Keeping your soil moist in the heat of the summer, which is also the flowering season for hydrangeas, will help to maintain the healthiest version of your plant.
Yes, you can use many types of all-purpose balanced Miracle-Gro on Endless Summer hydrangeas.
Endless Summer hydrangeas grow at a moderate rate. They don't grow too slowly or too quickly, and typically reach their mature size in 3 to 5 years. These hydrangeas produce large blooms lasting up to 8 weeks during the summer months.
Fall/Winter Care
Cover the plant with a four-inch layer of organic mulch (wood mulch, leaves, etc.). There is no need to cover all stems to the tip or to cut them back. Covering should be done when fully dormant (around November 30th), or at the same time you would cover perennials in your garden.
Bigleaf is divided into two flower types – lacecap and mophead. Both are among the most heat-tolerant hydrangeas, although mophead prefers a bit more shade. Panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) – Panicle hydrangea is one of the most sun tolerant hydrangeas.
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Panicle hydrangeas can handle hot sun
While they are drought tolerant and stand up to heat, I still like to provide shade during the hottest part of the day. And just because they are drought tolerant doesn't mean you should let them wilt. As with all hydrangeas, plants will thrive with regular irrigation.
Overwatering is the major cause of plant decline as it literally suffocates and rots the root system. Also, know that macrophylla prefer shade to part shade – early morning sun, dappled afternoon shade. Picking the right location is best. Practice Pruning Patience: Macrophylla are very late to leaf out in the spring.
If you don't prune hydrangeas then they can eventually resemble a tangled mass of woody stems, and the flowers will become smaller and less showy.
Some of the most popular reblooming hydrangea cultivars include 'Endless Summer', 'Summer Crush', 'Bloomstruck', 'Blushing Bride', 'Tuff Stuff', and 'Penny Mac'.
Whenever possible, plant in early summer or fall. Don't plant in early spring when frosts are still possible. I've lost two leafed-out plants that were killed when a late frost hit them. Don't plant a hydrangea during the hottest part of the summer unless it can't be helped.
It's best to start adding coffee grounds to the soil months before the blooming season begins, ideally in the late fall. You can repeat the process with your typical fertilizing schedule.