Hydrangeas that bloom all summer
By Judy Lowe | 06.11.08
Earlier this week, we talked about the first repeat-blooming hydrangeas, Endless Summer. After a detour into repelling wildlife, we’re back to look at a second group of hydrangeas that flower over and over, Forever and Ever.
Both groups are great for gardeners who live in cold climates, where hydrangeas rarely flower because their buds are killed by frost.
And they’re the perfect answer for the perennial question, Why didn’t my hydrangea bloom?
But they’re great for any yard, because a shrub that flowers all summer definitely gives you more for your money than one that blooms once and that’s it.
Except for weather issues, hydrangeas are easy to grow as long as you have a partially sunny spot with well-drained soil and can keep them watered.
There are now seven different Forever and Ever hydrangeas, which are listed for Zones 5-9. The one that will cause the most comments in your yard is Peppermint – 10-inch blooms with a streak of pink (or blue) down the center. Everyone who’s seen mine had to examine the blooms close-up.
Want bright red hydrangea flowers? Forever and Ever delivers. I’ll have to say I was very doubtful about the color of these blooms before I grew the plant myself. But it did deliver.
Here’s a look at the others. (Another one will be introduced next year.)
In my experience, these repeat-bloomers – both Endless Summer and Forever and Ever – make fine plants for containers. I’ve grown both kinds in big pots for several years, moving them to an unheated garage during winter. (I live in Boston.)
I’ve gotta say I’m a big fan of both. I can’t imagine gardening without them.
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2. Judy Lowe | 06.17.08
Actually, all hydrangeas need only minimal pruning, just enough to remove winter damage. Or you might need to cut them back if they’ve been planted in a spot they’ve outgrown.
So, if you place Endless Summer or Forever and Ever where it has room to grow, you shouldn’t have to prune much at all. Just trim off dead stems in the spring.
Fall pruning of shrubs isn’t recommended because it can cause dieback over winter. (This especially applies to Chicago and other cold-winter areas.)
From my experience so far, I think that in your area these repeat-blooming hydrangeas will stay about 4 feet by 4 feet without much effort on your part. However, they’re too new for us to tell for sure.
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1. Miss Kim | 06.13.08
I’m glad to know about these hydrangeas since I’m from around Chicago. Can’t wait to go look for them. Could you tell me how to prune them? Should I cut them back in the fall or in the spring? And, will I be able to maintain them about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide?
Thanks!