Can Endless Summer hydrangeas take full shade?
If your Endless Summer hydrangea is not blooming, this issue is likely caused by one of three problems. Too much shade - Hydrangeas will not bloom if they don't get enough sun. They can't be planted in full sun, but they also shouldn't be planted in full shade.
Growing Conditions
Endless Summer Hydrangeas actually enjoy partial shade to full sun and are able to bloom on both old and new growth from spring through summer or early summer to fall, depending on the climate you live in.
- Mophead Hydrangeas (big leaf) - Hydrangea macrophylla.
- Lacecap Hydrangeas - Hydrangea macrophylla normalis.
- Mountain Hydrangeas - Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. Serrata.
- Climbing Hydrangeas - Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris.
Shade-Loving Hydrangeas
Annabelle, Invincibelle, and Incrediball are three hydrangeas that perform well in mostly shaded sites.
Make sure that the soil is well-draining and fertilize regularly in spring and summer. Prune each year in the summer after the flowers bloom, and avoid winter or spring pruning. Additionally, avoid over-fertilizing your hydrangeas as too much nitrogen can prevent blooming.
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 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.
Unless the shrubs are planted in a raised bed that sits above the root system of trees, avoid planting hydrangeas directly beneath trees where they must compete for water and nutrition. The shrubs grow best in soil that contains plenty of organic material and good drainage.
Smooth hydrangeas grow best in part shade, but may adapt to full sun with consistent water and rich soil conditions. As their name suggests, they are water-loving plants, and without adequate moisture, their leaves will wilt and droop. Intolerant of drought, these plants may require some supplemental summer watering.
Many people plant hydrangeas in beds next to their homes or fences. This is because hydrangeas love the warm morning sun, but they dislike the heat of the afternoon. The best place to plant hydrangeas is in a sheltered location with sunny mornings and shady afternoons.
Is 3 hours of sun enough for hydrangeas?
The exact preferences of your hydrangea will depend on which variety it is. While Oakleaf, Climbing, and Mophead Hydrangeas will all take between three to six hours of direct sun, other varieties (like Mountain, Panicle, and Smooth Hydrangeas) prefer more than that.
Hydrangeas are hardy in growing zones 3-7 and will need at least 4-6 hours of sun a day. They can get by on 4-6 hours if they are located in partial shade. If you don't know which growing zone you are located, check out this interactive USDA hardiness zone map here.
The species that is the best for growing in full sun is Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea. Hydrangea paniculata is a very hardy species, thriving from USDA zones 4-8. This plant will require at least four hours of bright sun to produce strong stems. However, six or more hours would be best.
Fertilization. Fertilize your Endless Summer Hydrangeas in the spring with Holly-tone for blue flowers or Plant-tone and granulated lime for purple to pink flowers. For best flowering we recommend fertilizing in April, May and June with 1 cup of fertilizer for each foot of branch spread.
Yes, you can use many types of all-purpose balanced Miracle-Gro on Endless Summer hydrangeas. This includes the new OMRI-approved organic multi-purpose Miracle-Grow products. Be sure to follow the directions on the package carefully when applying Miracle Grow to your Endless Summer Hydrangeas for best results.
"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.
Most of the varieties in Endless Summer will reach 3-4′ wide at maturity. I would give them at last two feet away from the foundation. Or even a little more if you don't want them touching the house. Summer Crush is the most compact, so you can plant that one a little closer.
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.
Since Endless Summer® Hydrangeas bloom on last year's growth (“old wood”) as well as the current season's growth (“new wood”), you will get the most flowers by protecting the flower buds on the old wood. To do this, do NOT prune or cut back your shrubs after August 1st.
In general, as soon as your hydrangea bushes start growing again after the winter, it's time to fertilize. "Just like you and I thrive with a shot of caffeine to wake us up in the morning, Endless Summer hydrangeas bloom best with an early spring application of fertilizer," McEnaney says.
What is the difference between endless summer and macrophylla hydrangeas?
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) have smaller, ball-shaped blooms that are usually blue or pink but can be white, red, purple, or a mix of colors. Another way to differentiate them is by their woody stem. Endless Summer® Hydrangeas are all bigleaf hydrangeas. Prefer morning sun and afternoon shade.
Early spring or fall are best. (In fact, as long as your soil is workable and the hydrangeas to be planted are still dormant, you may even be able to plant them in late winter.) Your objective is to provide the hydrangeas with ample time to put down roots—before extreme hot or cold weather hits.
When planting hydrangeas, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the width of the container the hydrangea came in. Place the plant in the hole so that the root ball is at the same depth as it was in the original pot, then fill in the hole with the 50-50 soil mixture described above. Water well after planting.
There's nothing quite as breathtaking as a mature hedge of Incrediball hydrangeas in full bloom in the summertime. Unlike its predecessor, the much beloved 'Annabelle', you'll get to enjoy its blooms perched upright on far stronger stems that hold up even after a summer rain.
'Annabelle' Hydrangea is most at home in partial shade and evenly moist but well-drained soil; she'll grow in full sun if moisture is ample. Because she flowers heavily on the current season's growth (“new wood”), most gardeners cut the stems to the ground in late winter.
Best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates full sun only if grown in consistently moist soils.
Too much sun exposure can cause your hydrangea shrubs to burn on its leaves and blooms. Also, be sure to put your fingers in the soil to see if it needs watering. We do recommend a soak versus light watering each day, but you should be sure that the soil is always moist – not wet – by sticking your fingers in the dirt.
Most hydrangeas prefer only morning sun. Yet one type of hydrangea can soak up the sun all day: the panicle hydrangea. While they can stand the sun, these do just fine in partial shade, too. Plus, panicle hydrangeas are the hardiest hydrangeas.
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.
Yes, you can use many types of all-purpose balanced Miracle-Gro on Endless Summer hydrangeas. This includes the new OMRI-approved organic multi-purpose Miracle-Grow products. Be sure to follow the directions on the package carefully when applying Miracle Grow to your Endless Summer Hydrangeas for best results.
Why are my endless summer hydrangea leaves curling and turning brown?
Too Much Sun/Heat: This problem often occurs in conjunction with Hydrangeas that don't get enough water. These shrubs do best in the morning sun, and too much direct sunlight (especially in the south, where the sun is more intense) will cause the leaves to get burned, turn brown, dry out, and curl up.
Your Endless Summer Hydrangea needs consistent moisture throughout its growing season to stay healthy and produce beautiful blooms. Watering deeply once a week should be enough to keep it hydrated, but if temperatures are high or there's been little rain, you may need to water more frequently than that.
Most years, growth is active again by May, and that's a good time to prune both dead wood (right back to the ground if the whole shoot is kaput) and any dead tips. Assuming these are the most common bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), you definitely don't want to prune live wood in spring.
Watering and Fertilizing Endless Summer Hydrangea
Hydrangeas plants need to be watered at least once per week. It's best to water them twice weekly when the temperatures are high and conditions are dry. Fertilize your hydrangeas once during the spring or early summer using a slow-release tree/shrub fertilizer.
"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.
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.
Best Fertilizer for Endless Summer Hydrangea
“You're looking for a slow-release granular fertilizer that is labeled 'bloom boost,'” says Endless Summer expert Ryan McEnaney from Bailey Nurseries.
Provide a layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture, add nutrients to the soil, and protect the plant in the cold winter months. Plant is a full sun to partial shade location, though this plant does best in partial shade. Water frequently, at least once per week. But ensure the soil does not stay wet.
- In early spring when plants are just leafing out.
- In early May to boost their flower production for summer.
- In late June/early July to help your plants finish the summer strong.
