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Gardening With Hydrangeas From The Endless Summer® Collection

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I love gardening. When spring arrives, I am outside most of the day, weeding, planting, mulching, pruning, taking photos, and generally sighing with happiness. We’ve lived on this property (my first ever house that wasn’t a rental) for almost nine years and in those nine years, I’ve added perennials to existing garden beds, created 4 new garden beds, and if I could, I’d add even more! There are roses, catmint, poppies, sedum, hosta, boxwood, bee balm, phlox, day lilies, butterfly bush, peonies and two versions of one of my favorites: hydrangeas. Oh, those hydrangeas! Dependable, large, lush. Such beauties they are! So when BlogHer and Endless Summer® Hydrangeas asked me if I would take a closer look at their collection of re-blooming hydrangeas, I jumped at the chance. I don’t know about you, but I see their distinctive blue pots in my favorite nurseries and I’ve been hankering for one of my very own.
Bailey'scloseup

We’re talking gorgeous color here. Some information for you on this collection: “The Endless Summer® Collection is the world’s first and best assortment of re-blooming hydrangeas. They are easy to grow, requiring a low investment in time, money and effort for a big reward. They are beautiful for gardens, containers and in cut and dried flower arrangements. No matter which variety, their beautiful big blooms enhance any outdoor living experience.” How could they not? BloomStruck_Logo_CMYK

The hydrangea that was graciously sent to me by Endless Summer is their new BloomStruck™. I counted the days until it arrived on my doorstep. With every garden bed already full around here, my husband and I decided that we needed a hydrangea on the outside of what we call the Dog Corral and adjacent to a little funky patio that we love. It will definitely add some much-needed beauty to a utilitarian chicken wire fence.

Bailey'sEndlessSummerpot

I dug the hole, which should be one and a half times as wide as the size of the pot. Well, I should be honest here. When I got tired, my husband took over. He’s got more arm strength than me! Scout, our Border Collie, supervised. Isn’t that hydrangea stunning?

Bailey'splantinfo

By the way, Endless Summer includes lots of information as to soil and when and how to plant and everything you need to know about your hydrangea.

Bailey'sgardensoil

Our soil has its share of clay, so I amended it with some garden soil, adding it to the bottom of the hole. That’s what works in my particular soil. Your soil may need different amendments. I loosened the bottom and sides of the root ball, then I made sure the crown of the plant, where the base of the stems meet the soil, was even with the ground. Then I refilled the hole with soil.

Bailey'splanted

All of our garden beds are edged with rocks that we’ve found on the property, so we did the same thing here. (Oh boy, do we have rocks on this property!) I can’t wait to watch this grow. If you’re unfamiliar with hydrangeas, the color of the blooms is directly influenced by the pH of your soil. If your pH is acidic, the blooms will be blue. If they are alkaline, the blooms will be pink. You can easily run a pH test if you’re interested and there are products you can add to the soil to change your soil’s pH. In fact, Endless Summer® offers two products that will do that for you. Color Me Pink™ and Color Me Blue™ are safe, all natural and organic. As for me, I like the element of surprise, so I’m going to watch and wait. Pink or blue, I love this plant. If you’re interested in learning more, please visit the Endless Summer® website. If you leave a comment on this post, you will be automatically entered in a contest to win a $100 Visa Gift Card. Leave a comment with an answer to this question: Do you grow hydrangeas? Tell me how you use them in your garden! Happy Planting,

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Comments

  1. Hi Claudia, I spent quite a lot of money on an hydrangea 3 years ago. It was advertised as producing enormous flower balls, but so far, only a few leaves have appeared. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this year, although I’m not holding my breath (if you’ll excuse the mixed metaphors). I hope you have more luck. Blessings

    • Lesley,

      You did not say if you trim them. Do not trim them as they bloom on the old growth. Give them lots of water in the summer and they do not like full sun.

      Shirley

  2. Claudia,
    I have three hydrangeas in my yard. Two are Endless Summer Bloom Struck and the third is an Endless Summer Lime Light hydrangea. Even thought the Endless Summer Bloom Struck hydrangeas are close, both bloom different colors !! Isn’t nature just the best when it comes to surprises ?
    Every other year I try to purchase another Endless Summer hydrangea plant for my garden just because they do so well. They are easy to grow and almost fool proof, when you follow the directions. If I had an unlimited budget, my yard would include many, many more Endless Summer varieties of hydrangeas.
    Can’t wait to see how your new hydrangea progresses through the summer.
    Happy gardening!
    Vanessa

  3. Love love hydrangeas but so do the deer in my area. The deer and I have a running battle but so far I am winning.

  4. Wow what a beautiful plant I had no idea it would be in full bloom right now. It’s a keeper for sure.

  6. I’ve planted hydrangeas over the years in my garden. But in coastal Texas, heat humidity, drought and clay soil I’ve had to mourn over then. BUT this year I planted in a clay pot and have blooms and new growth. I roll it in and out of the sun as well. Maybe next year when it is established I’ll put in the ground. Love, love , love then.

  7. Love hydrangeas! They are so beautiful. I haven’t raised them before but I’ve been eyeing them at my local nursery and I think this year is the year. I’ll be interested to see how yours does, Claudia.

  9. I have gotten a slow start on gardening around my house. Renovations just knocked the stuffing out of me. Two years ago, I started hand planting (one by one) strands of Pachysandra in beds around the foundation. I found it both therapeutic and rewarding.

    Encouraged by the results I started adding hydrangeas (my favorites) I would like to add a few each year.

    That BloomStruck is just gorgeous!

  10. Claudia, I had a lovely hydrangea for several years, Then, after a particularly ugly Minnesota winter, it did not awaken in the spring. Ugh!

  11. Wow! That hydrangea is beautiful! I’ve been out in my garden the last few days. Our front yard is extremely shaded and our back a blast furnace of sun. Challenging on both accounts, but it is so lovely to see green again and hear the birds. I just ignore (and medicate) my allergies. I’m not staying in and keeping windows shut at this time of year! Especially after that winter.

  12. I had three Endless Summer plants but they did not come back this year after our cold Missouri winter! Sad Gardener here!

  13. I have 5 hydrangeas on my property- one lace edge and 4 mophead. Unfortunately, it seems that due to our long running “Artic Vortex” temperatures this past winter, all the hydrangeas in this area suffered greatly. They are all showing new growth from the ground but all or almost all of the branches died. I’ve had 3 of these bushes over 16 years that were big, beautiful and prolific bloomers so it’s sad to see. My gardening neighbor and I have mourned our loss of flowers this year and we have done what needed to be done- pruned all the dead wood. My bushes that were 4-5 feet tall are now 6 inches but do have beautiful green leaves. I think I deserve a new hydrangea or two to get over the trauma!

    It also seems that all the fig trees in the area also died due to the extended subfreezing winter weather. I’d only had mine 4 years but my 92 year-old neighbor’s tree was at least 30 years old and it didn’t make it either. I’m going to plant another cherry tree in its place since I like cherries a lot more than figs!

  14. I have an Oak Leaf Hydrangea that I adore! It blooms a creamy white color and fades to a pale pink tinted parchment color. When I lived in NY I had a Pee Gee Hydrangea that was covered in huge white flower clusters every August-Sept. Your Endless Summer Hydrangeas look lovely!

  15. I attempted to grow hydrangeas when I first moved to this place but was not successful. I love them especially when they are blue and I think it is time to try again!

  16. Good morning, Claudia ~

    Hydrangeas are at the top of my list of favorite garden plants. I’ve grown several different types in past gardens, but haven’t (yet) attempted to grow them here at our tiny cottage in the woods. 10,000 feet above sea level is a bit challenging for a gardener, but I’m sure there are hydrangea plants that will do well in our zone 5 micro-climate.

    So please toss my name in the hat! Your plants are gorgoues!!!
    xo,
    Lin

  17. I love hydrangeas, one of my favorites. I planted 2 Endless Summer varieties several years ago. Only year before last did they bloom and were gorgeous. I will anxiously watch yours grow!

  19. I don’t have any hydrangea but this post sure makes me want those gorgeous blooms in my yard. Such gorgeous colors!

  20. I don’t grow Hydrangeas but I would love to have one of these!! I can’t wait to see how they grow in your garden, Claudia.

  21. Good morning Claudia,
    I have two hydrangeas. One is planted in a half barrel in our back yard and the other one is in our front yard along the walkway leading to our front door. Unfortunately, I do not know the name of either one but they are both beautiful. The one in the front starts out looking like the blooms will be blue but then fades into pink tones. The one in the back yard is pink tones, too!
    Good luck with yours.

  23. I tried to grow hydrangeas which did not thrive but I will attempt them this Spring since they are so attractive. Best wishes.

  24. I didn’t have much luck with the hydrangea I planted in my back yard a few years ago, and now have one in a pot on my patio that has done much better. I am inspired by this post though, and think I will plant an Endless Summer. The garden shops are full of them this time of year, and I admit I’ve got a little garden envy after seeing yours!

  25. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers! I tried growing one once and it was one of the few years we had a winter here. It didn’t survive. But, I would love to try growing another one.

  26. That is a beautiful hydrangea you received…gorgeous! I have 2 endless summer hydrangeas…but they are extremely slow budding out this year….just like everything else! Enjoy your day! ;)

  28. I love hydrangess. I have one and love to put the blooms in a mason jar. When we bought the plant the bloom was pink but now the blooms are dark purple/blue.

  29. I have one and truly thought it had not made it through this winter. However, from the ground there is much green leafing appearing. I cut back the wood and the leaves are continuing to grow. I have my fingers and toes crossed.
    I do love hydrangeas. My daughter used lime green ones as her pew and table flowers for her wedding. I have also used dried ones tucked in the tree at Christmas.
    They live on even when they are off the plant and dried! Yours is beautiful! Can’t wait to see it as the months go on.

  30. I usually just have hanging baskets with geraniums and vinca vine when I live [rental] but my SIL is a master gardener and the brick sidewalk leading to her front door is flanked with hydrangea every year. Just gorgeous. And the soil must be acidic because they’re always blue. A very pretty periwinkle like the ones in your photos. Happy Monday, Claudia!

  31. I use hydrangeas as a border flower around the bottom of the hill in front of my house, on which I grow junipers.

  33. I have planted them but they die on our place, never been able to get them to live.

  34. Oh my gosh Claudia..what a beautiful blue..I hope it stays that color but I’m sure the pink would be equally gorgeous!!..I would love to have Hydrangeas here but probably the only way I will is if I win that $100 gift card..lol

  35. I absolutely LOVE Hydrangeas! I’ve never attempted to grow one because I’ve always lived in rentals. Lately I’ve been doing some research on growing one in a container on my patio … which is the only gardening space I have. My plan for a container Hydrangea is, for certain, in my future! Your new plant is gorgeous Claudia.

  36. I would definitely grow hydrangeas if I had a garden of my own, but I live in an apartment. I do love them!

  37. Claudia I SO envy your hydrangeas. I have never been lucky with them. But your post has rekindled my hope. Think I may just have to stop by the local nursery today and look for an Endless Summer. Thanks for the encouragement to just keep trying.

  38. How beautiful! I do not know if there is a variety that will grow here, but I will go to the website and check it out. I have always loved hydrangeas, both fresh and dried. It will be fun to see how yours does over the summer.
    Scout is a good supervisor!

  39. Hello Claudia, The hydrangea you planted is such a nice size right out of the pot. Very pretty. When I had my house, I planted 2 and they were so big and beautiful and we had a huge rain and they were pummeled so bad, I thought that was it, but they recovered nicely and i even had blooms to dry later in the season. I do miss them, now living in a Townhouse. Maybe I should see if I could win against the squirrels, if I planted in a pot on the patio…thanks for sharing.

  40. I love hydrangeas. We always had them in our yard when I was growing up. When they bloom the big blue flowers are the size of a head of lettuce. They do not like full sun and need to be watered daily as they wilt when it is very hot. They need lots of water. If they need to be trimmed, only trim them after they bloom. The blooms for the next year come from the old growth. If you trim very late in the year or early in the next year they will not bloom that year. I have them in front of my porch. I also have some lime light hydrangea.

    Shirley

  41. I’ve tried a couple before and had no luck. It’s too hot here in So Cal, and the ground is pretty much clay. Might be that t was getting too much sun. Think I should try growing one in a pretty pot as they are so beautiful. I see these gorgeous pictures from Washington/Oregon and they are so pretty.

  42. I love any way, shape, form or color of hydrangeas. I just checked on the Endless Summer website and found that they would grow in our area! They are beautiful and I’m excited about checking into them. Thank you!

  43. I love hydrangeas. Would you believe I was not familiar with this beautiful flower until I started reading blogs?! I’m not sure if they actually do well this far south (I’m in zone 9a) because even though I do see them in the grocery store, Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc., I don’t recall actually seeing any planted in yards. I don’t have much of a green thumb but I would love to try growing hydrangeas so I’m going to check out the link you provided for more info. I have the perfect place (I think)…right outside the entrance to one of our horse barns. There is a little area I’ve been considering adding a bubbling fountain and some flowering plants. Wouldn’t hydrangeas in full bloom be a wonderful way to welcome visitors to our barn?! :)

  44. Sadly I do not… However I truly Love the beauty of them

    Love reading your blog
    Thank You!!

  45. We used to have a hydrangea plant at our old house and I sure do miss it they are so pretty we will have to plant another one in the garden.

  46. I’m happy I read all the comments because now I know why sometimes the hydrangas don’t bloom cuttung back too much and too late! IT would be wonderful to have one that blooms all summer.

  50. I have been thinking about adding some hydrangeas to our gardens at our cottage on Lake Ontario. I was really interested in your experience and will look for the Endless Summer hydrangea at our nearby nursery. Thanks for the info!

  51. Hydrangeas have always been a favorite flower for me. I have several planted around my house and can’t wait for them to become lush with blooms this spring. I live in Coastal Virginia and they seem to really like the soil here and being close to the water. My house has that cottage look and hydrangeas speak cottage garden to me. I have wanted o try the Endless Summer variety, because I’m always sad when the blooms fade.

  52. Unfortunately I don’t have a garden but these flowers surely are beautiful!

  54. I have a hydrangea that has divided twice now. Ii think it has been in the soil about 30 years or more. Ii do nothing to them and each year that are beautiful shades of pink and blues and a combination of both colors on the same bloom. Ii have a smaller one that I moved to the same area last year and is doing well this year. Very interested in the Endless Collection and will be checking them out at my local nursery.

  55. YES! We do grow hydrangeas and we have some pink ones in our garden. We also have some in front of the house by the porch. Love these flowers, very pretty!

  58. I had bad luck trying to grow hydrangeas when I lived in GA. The soil was too arid. I would suggest watering frequently!

  61. I grew up in Michigan where hydrangeas were everywhere. Lived in TX for 28 yrs and tried to grow them there, but wasn’t very successful due to the heat. Moved back to MI 3yrs ago, but only last Summer planted 2 new plants. Hope they bounce back from the brutal Winter we endured this last year.

  62. Hi Claudia – I grew up on the East Coast and had some beautiful Hydrangeas myself as well as admiring them all around me as the large, lovely flower heads bloomed. My blooms were a pretty blue/purple color. I now live in SoCal and have one small Hydrangea that I pamper and it gives me a few pink blooms each year. It doesn’t like the hot, dry heat here and I need to make sure I water it often.

  63. Hi Claudia, I have several hydrangea of different types, and the Endless Summer really do bloom all summer! This spring, however, all of our hydrangea are looking very sad, and we may have lost a few during this horrible winter. Two points to remember about hydrangea: 1) some can be trimmed and others can not if you want to be sure to have blooms each year(research your particular type) and 2) remember that your mulch can really affect the bloom color. My bright blues have changed drastically since we started usually sweet peet mulch. As highly recommended as that mulch is for the soil, I may have to switch back because I miss my bright blues! Good luck with your new plant! You will just love it. Linda

  67. thank you this is very timely for me. my daughter gave me a hydrangea plant for my birthday, and I know nothing about them! but…now I do!

  68. Hydrangea was ONE of the plants that was layed waste… when we moved here due to my ignorance in gardening and over-zealousness to plant!? Crazy I know. I don’t have them in my yard currently– I know they grow in this area pretty well. I see them a lot especially nearer the lake. I’d love to plant some and have them grow– same with Azalea.
    You mentioned in a previous post that mulch was not something you could spring for in the budget–but rocks make an excellent ground cover if you’re trying to keep weeds out and moisture in, maybe the smaller ones could go into your beds, rather than pile up somewhere. Just a suggestion.
    Pat

  69. Hydrangea’s are my favorite. I have a whole corner of my garden devote do hydrangea and peony. Limelight is my favorite and performs much better than blushing bride and endless summer in my garden. your garden, paths and woods are beautiful and peaceful.

  70. We have an apartment, so no garden, but I would love growing these! They’re beautiful.

    chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com

  72. I have four hydrangeas in my garden. I have one of the endless summer lime light bushes, which is beautiful all Summer and Fall. I also have a pretty blue, lacy flower hydrangea.. My favorites are two beautiful old fashion blue hydrangeas that I grew from tiny cuttings my mother gave me. Nestled between the blue hydrangeas is a small table and chair set that I painted a buttery yellow. The yellow plays off the blue of the flowers. I love hydrangeas, as they remind me of old gardens.

  75. A little over a year I moved half-way across the country from the plains states to the Pacific Northwest. I’ve never grown hydrangeas but I am hoping to in my new yard. They are so beautiful!

  76. i’ve never grown them but they are so gorgeous. I’ve always wanted to plant my own garden but I just dont know how to go about it. I need to go buy a book on this, but your post really encourages me!

  78. I love hydrangeas, and we do have some along the side of our house, but I’d love to put some in a place where I’d see them more often.

  81. I haven’t used them yet but they are beautiful and my daughter has been begging for a garden so I may use them this year if nothing else on my front porch in a pot.

  83. I do not have them in my yard; i should add them, just have not thought of it.

  86. I love hydrangeas and have planted them often in my garden. They are so pretty and colorful.

  88. I love blue hydrangeas, I do not currently have any in my landscape but we are currently redoing the yard so I think I will add some!

  91. We love white hydrangea in our garden, more to plant this summer.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  96. I LOVE Hydrangeas. Husband wont let me plant any yet. I think their flowers are beautiful

  100. I have never grown hydrangeas. However, I would love to try. Interesting fact about how the soil affects the color.

  101. i don’t have any hydrangeas in my flower beds but i should – i think they are very pretty

  103. I do not grow hydrangeas, I’m nervous about it, I grow roses, they seem to grow without much attention

  104. Hi Claudia, we love growing hydrangeas too! A few years ago we put in several Limelight bushes, I think they are also in the hydrangea family. Hydrangea make wonderful arrangements – just all by themselves in a simple vase, my favorite is an old milk bucket. Hope all is well! xxoo

  106. I don’t grow hydrangeas since they wouldn’t make it here in FL, but we’re moving to PA so I hope to grow them there!

  110. Hydrangeas are my favorite. I have not grown any yet but would love to do so.

  112. I have not planted a hydrangea yet. I love them and I have pictures and visions of them along the New England coast. I have lived in Arizona for the last 14 years and do not know if they would survive. I know I cannot grow peonies-my favorite. I guess I’ll research!

  113. I love Hydrangeas but don’t see a lot of them where I live. I planted one last year but it did not last the summer. Our summers get to 110 degrees so I think maybe it was too hot for it or I didn’t water it enough.

  114. Claudia,
    I absolutely love hydrangeas, but sadly I have only one tiny one at this time. I have moved within the last year and my beautiful hydrangeas were all left behind. In this rental house there were no flowering shrubs except for that one sad little hydrangea. I think it was a sign that even though I didn’t want to be here, I could bloom here if I put my mind to it. I love them in all colors. I love them dried and fresh. They just breath beauty.

  117. Hi Claudia,
    I love hydrangeas! I have one large one in a pot on my patio. It’s in the shade and never fails to bloom every year. It was a give from my girlfriends when I was ill several years ago, so it’s very special to me. Last year I bought the acid food that makes the blooms turn blue, and it was gorgeous. So much fun!

  119. I just love how reliable and versatile those Endless Summer Hydrangeas are. The blooms are spectacular when dry and displayed throughout my home!

  120. I have had hydrangeas in the past. I never had the best luck with them, however I certainly didn’t prepare the soil for them like this post suggests. The ones you were sent are so pretty.

  121. I don’t have any hydrangeas in my yard yet, but I would love them.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  125. I have some hydrangea transplants in one corner of our backyard that I call my “Grandma Gardern”. It has several varieties of perennials that came from the yards of my two grandmas. The hydrangeas are my favorite….the white ones that turn a yummy pale green. Unfortunately with all the “stuff” going on in my life right now, I haven’t had a chance to clean up the garden this so those hydrangeas are competing with weeds, vines, etc. Ahhh – hopefully next year I’ll be able to take better care of it.

  126. No I don’t grow hydrangeas.
    They’re so beautiful I’ve been thinking about it.
    thank you

  130. I have one hydrangea at the back of my flower bed. I love it for its blue color.

  133. I don’t grow them. I have a black thumb. I think they’re beautiful and wish I could grow them/.

  135. No, I don’t grow hydrageas but I think they are beautiful

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  138. My mom used to grow hydrangeas, and I always thought they were one of the most beautiful flowers to have in a garden. I don’t have any of my own yet, but would love to get some.

  140. I’ve tried to grow hydrangeas, but I think it gets too hot here. I have never had luck with them.

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