The Summer Crush hydrangea first appeared in the early 21st century and people loved it because of its rich raspberry color. This made it stand out from other hydrangeas. People say it was like a bright spot in any garden because it was grown by plant breeders who wanted something new and fresh. They tired different combos and mixed different types of hydrangeas until they got the Summer Crush and it was a hit from the start!
Garden centers and nurseries began selling it and all the people wanted this new plant in their gardens. It didn’t take long for the Summer Crush hydrangea to become popular.
The best thing about the Summer Crush hydrangea was that it was easy to take care of which means it could grow in many different places. This made more and more gardeners want to plant it in their gardens.
Word about this beautiful flower spread quickly and soon gardens all over the world had the Summer Crush hydrangea. Everyone wanted to show off its bright colors. Today, the Endless Summer hydrangea is loved by many landscapes and gardeners. People like how it brings a touch of summer to their gardens and that’s how the Summer Crush hydrangea spread around the world. It was all because of its pretty color and how easy it was to grow, which is a common thing form most types of this plant.
How to care for your summer crush hydrangea?
Taking care of a Summer Crush hydrangea is pretty easy and here i have laid a simple guide on how to do it:
- Watering: Hydrangeas like water so make sure the soil stays moist but not too wet. During hot days, check the soil every day and know that if it feels dry, give it some water. In cooler weather, you can water less often.
- Sunlight: Summer Crush hydrangeas like some sun but keep in mind that not too much. Find a spot in your garden where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade. This helps the plant stay happy without getting burnt by the hot sun or hot winds.
- Soil: These plants like rich soil so try and add some compost or organic matter to the soil. This gives the plant good food to grow on. Make sure the soil drains well too because they don’t like sitting in water.
- Pruning: In the late winter or early spring just cut back any dead or weak stems. This helps the plant grow strong and maintain a healthy life. But be careful! Don’t cut too much or you might not get flowers that year.
- Fertilizing: Give your hydrangea some food in the early spring and again in the late summer to keep it nourished. Use a general-purpose fertilizer. This helps the plant grow big and strong.
- Protect in Winter: If you live in a place where it gets very cold, you might need to protect your hydrangea in the winter. Cover it with some brown mulch or cedar mulch or a frost cloth. This keeps it safe from the cold.
- Changing Color: One fun thing about hydrangeas is that you can change their color if you want! If you want it to have pink flowers, make the soil more alkaline. If you want blue flowers just make the soil more acidic. You can buy stuff at the garden center to help with this thing.
What types Of Hydrangea Macrophylla are there?
Hydrangea macrophylla which is commonly known as bigleaf hydrangea, is a popular garden plant that comes in two main flower types:
- Mophead Hydrangeas (or Hortensias):
- These are the most widely recognized type of plant.
- They have large and round flower heads that look like big puffy balls, they are so amazing!
- These blooms are usually blue, pink, or purple, but their color can change based on the soil’s pH just like i mentioned above.
- Lacecap Hydrangeas:
- These are a bit less common but equally fascinating.
- Their flower heads are flat and have a mix of small and tight blooms in the center surrounded by larger blooms around the edge, these are amazing too.
- Like mophead hydrangeas, their color can vary with the soil’s pH.
There are also many types or varieties within these classes, each with unique colors with different bloom styles, and sizes such as the purple hydrangea or bobo hydrangea. Additionally, the color of the flowers can be influenced by the pH and aluminum availability in the soil. Acidic soils with available aluminum will tend to produce blue flowers, while alkaline soils result in pink or reddish flowers. Adding aluminum sulfate or lime will help modify soil conditions to change bloom colors in some cases.
Keep in mind that the Hydrangea macrophylla is just one species within the genus Hydrangea. There are other hydrangea species like Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea), and others, each with its own set of unique characteristics and care requirements.
How to prune the summer crush hydrangea?
Let’s talk about giving your Summer Crush hydrangea a little cut. So, you’ve noticed your hydrangea is getting a bit wild and started to spread like crazy, maybe a bit out of shape? No worries!
Pruning isn’t just about making things awesome it’s ljust ike giving your plant a new lease on life. First off, don’t just dive in and start cutting any time of the year. Late summer or early fall are teh best times, just after those vibrant blooms have had their moment in the sun, that’s your moment. But if you see dead or weak-looking stems, snip them off whenever you want. They’re not doing your hydrangea any favors, plus it will keeo it healthy.
The Summer Crush is special because she’s got memories. She remembers last year and sets up her blooms ahead of time. That’s what gardeners mean when they talk about “old wood”. It’s the old branches from the previous year that will carry next year’s flower hopes. Please try and be gentle with them.
If the heart of your hydrangea feels like a dense jungle, don’t be afraid to thin out some of the older, more stubborn stems. It’s like opening a window in a stuffy room. More air means more light which then means more life. And if you’re looking at those faded blooms thinking they’re past their prime, know that you’re right. Snipping off old flower heads gives things a tidier feel which means it’s like clearing away last season’s fashion to make room for the new.
Remember that if you ever get carried away and prune a bit too much, your hydrangea will forgive you. It might sulk and not bloom as much next year, but it’ll bounce back.
How To Get Summer Crush Hydrangea To Bloom?
The vibrant and stunning blooms of the Summer Crush hydrangea! You’re definitely not alone in wanting to see more of those but keep in mind that sometimes, they can be a bit shy. Let’s chat about coaxing those blooms out.
Firstly, remember that light’s a big deal and these beauties aren’t sun worshippers, but they do like a dose of morning sun followed by afternoon shadow. It’s kind of like how many of us enjoy a sunny breakfast niche to eat peacefully and get our morning sun but prefer lounging in the shade later in the day.
Next up: food and drink. Hydrangeas can be thirsty bt they love well-draining soil that’s consistently moist. Not too wet, not too dry, just about right. Think of it as their preferred drink, and they’ll want it served just so. When it comes to food know that a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the early spring and late summer can do wonders. It’s like giving them their favorite meal twice a year.
Be careful with pruning because the endless summer hydrangeas are a bit sentimental and they hold onto the past. They set buds for next year’s flowers during the previous summer and fall. So know that if you prune them too much or at the wrong time, you might be snipping away next year’s blooms. It’s a bit like accidentally deleting your favorite photos which you can’t get back. So be gentle and thoughtful.
The soil’s pH can also play a role because these hydrangeas might change color depending on the soil. If you want blue flowers, you’ll need more acidic soil and for pink, go alkaline. But beyond color, making sure your soil is rich and well-balanced helps overall health and, by extension, blooming.
And sometimes it takes a bit of patience. Plants have their own rhythm with their own pace. They might not bloom heavily one year but could surprise you the next. It’s like they have their own internal calendar and sometimes, they just decide it’s not quite the year for a big show, they don’t care too much. But with lovely care, and a bit of understanding, you’re setting the stage for some truly beautiful flowers in the future.
Which are the Common Pests And Plant Diseases of summer crush hydrangea?
Like all beautiful flowers and plants, it sometimes attracts unwanted attention. Let’s talk about those pesky uninvited guests and issues that might pop up.
- Aphids: These tiny bugs love to gather on the undersides of leaves and they suck the sap out of plants. If you see them you can often rinse them off with a gentle stream of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Spider Mites: Tiny and often hard to see these little cratures can make the leaves look stippled or dusty. A strong blast of water or neem oil can help keep them in check.
- Japanese Beetles: They love to chew on hydrangea leaves. Hand-picking them off in the early morning (when they’re sluggish, yuk!) is a common method. Dropping them into soapy water will do the trick, i like this version better.
- Slugs and Snails: These nighttime critters love the young and tender leaves. If you see irregular holes or find their slimy trails, that’s a sign. You can use slug bait or traps to handle them.
- Powdery Mildew: This fungus gives leaves a white, powdery look. It’s not a fan of wet conditions, so avoid overhead watering. Keeping good air circulation around the plant can also help. Fungicides can be used if it becomes a serious issue.
- Leaf Spot: Seen as small brown or purple spots on the leaves, it’s caused by a fungus. Make sure there’s good spacing and air motion around your hydrangea. Remove and get rid of the affected leaves and keep in mind to avoid watering the leaves directly.
- Rust: It’s another fungal disease. You’ll see orange or yellowish-orange spots on the undersides of leaves. Again just like with leaf sports, a good air circulation is key. Fungicides can help if the problem becomes more widespread.
How To Change Summer Crush Hydrangea Color?
One of the most captivating things about some hydrangeas which includes the Summer Crush variety, is their chameleon-like ability to change colors. But it’s not just magic, this my friend is science which mostly involving soil pH and the availability of aluminum. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this color-changing dance.
- Blue Blooms: If you’re dreaming of blue blooms, you’ll want the soil to be more acidic. I’ve mentioned this before.
- You can achieve this by adding aluminum sulfate or sulfur to the soil.
- Always follow package instructions when applying these amendments. Too much can harm the plant and it could die.
- Ensure there’s aluminum in the soil. Without it, the flowers won’t turn blue. If you’re using aluminum sulfate, it’ll add both acidity and aluminum.
- Pink Blooms: To persuade your endless summer hydrangea towards the pink side, you’re aiming for more alkaline conditions.
- Add lime to the soil which this raises the pH, making conditions more alkaline.
- The presence of aluminum can encourage blue tones, so in alkaline soil, the aluminum becomes less available to the plant, leading to pinker blooms.
- Purple Blooms: If you’re somewhere in the middle with your soil pH, you will get a mix of pink and blue flowers which gives a lovely purple or mixed hue. It’s like the plant’s way of saying, “Why choose one when you can have both?”
- Testing and Tweaking: Before you start adding anything keep in mind to test your soil’s pH. Knowing where you’re starting from is crucial.
- Soil test kits are available at garden centers. They’re easy to use and can give you a good idea of your soil’s current state.
- Make changes gradually. It’s easier to adjust over time rather than making big shifts that could stress the plant.
- Water Source: Be aware of your water source. If it’s alkaline this can shift the soil pH over time, even if you’re amending for acidity.
- Patience: This isn’t an instant transformation, it will take some time, even a season or two just to see noticeable changes.
Remember, while it’s fun to play with colors keep in mind that the health of the plant is most important. Always prioritize its well-being over achieving a specific color.