How Often Should Everlasting Summer Hydrangeas Be Fertilized?

Endless Summer hydrangeas are a low-maintenance, reblooming bigleaf hydrangea that bloom all season in blue, pink, or white. They require proper fertilization to support their growth and flower production. To ensure optimal growth, it is recommended to use a slow-release granular fertilizer labeled “bloom boost” at the beginning of spring when the plant begins to grow actively again after winter dormancy. This will give the plant a boost.

Endless Summer hydrangeas are low-maintenance and bloom for four months. To care for these shrubs, follow the best practices for planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, repotting, and winterizing them. A specially formulated fertilizer with a fast-release balanced fertilizer with an NPK value of 1 is recommended.

To change the color of hydrangea flower colors with soil amendments, avoid using over-fertilization. Hydrangeas thrive when fertilizers are effectively used in spring or early summer. For best flowering, fertilize in April, May, and June with 1 cup of fertilizer for each foot of branch spread.

A slow-release fertilizer, packaged into tiny pellets that slowly break down, provides nutrients over weeks or months. It is important not to over-fertilize hydrangeas if they have already been fertilized at the store. The first time to fertilize Endless Summer® is in the spring when new, green growth appears. Fertilize when new green shoots appear in spring and apply a second round of fertilizer afterward.

In summary, proper fertilization is essential for Endless Summer hydrangeas, which bloom from spring to fall and have high cold tolerance. By following the best practices for planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, repotting, and winterizing, you can ensure your plants receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and flower production.

Is 20-20-20 fertilizer good for hydrangeas?

Liquid fertilizers like Miracle Gro should be applied to the plant three or four times per year, starting in late April and ending in mid-July. Stake type fertilizers can be used according to the package’s directions, and organic fertilizers like manure can also be used. The plant grows best in acidic soil, which is most of the soil, rainwater, and groundwater in southeastern Wisconsin is basic or alkaline. To ensure the plant’s growth, amend the soil to make it more acidic and increase the amount of organic matter.

Over time, supplement the soil’s acidity with soil sulfur, aluminum sulfate, or cotton seed meal. Mulch is also important for acid-loving plants, with a 3-4″ thickness of bark or needle mulch surrounding the plant.

To protect the hydrangea from rabbits and cold, tie up the plant, encircle it with a cylinder of hardware cloth 18-24″ high, work the bottom into the soil, fill with straw or loosely packed leaves, and remove it in mid-April. If this is not possible, mulch in fall with 4″ of compost or mulch.

How often should I fertilize my endless summer hydrangeas?

Over-watering and over-fertilizing hydrangea plants can hinder bloom production. Hydrangeas prefer moist soil and one application of fertilizer in spring or early summer. If you pruned your hydrangeas back after an early frost, it may take time for new growth to develop and produce blooms. Be patient and look for green growth coming up from the base of the plants, as these are where new blooms will grow. For more information on seasonal pruning tips, visit our blog.

Should you deadhead endless summer hydrangeas?

Deadheading is a technique used to encourage the growth of stronger stems in hydrangeas, according to garden designer Ryan McEnaney. This method can also enhance the appearance of the shrub by removing dried flowers. Deadheading is distinct from pruning, which involves removing large sections of the plant’s wood and stems. The optimal time to deadhead hydrangeas depends on the type of plant, with three general categories based on their blooming patterns.

What is the best fertilizer for hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas thrive when fed a balanced or all-purpose fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 NPK or 12-4-8 NPK. Fertilizers formulated for roses are also suitable. Spring is the best time to fertilize hydrangeas, as they are known for their large flower heads and attractive colors. Fertilizer and soil amendments can change the color of bigleaf or mountain hydrangea types. Hydrangeas only need fertilizer a few times a year, so it’s essential to know the variety you have. Some commercial fertilizers can change the color of hydrangea flowers from pink to blue, which can be surprising if not expected or planned for your garden.

Should I prune endless summer hydrangeas?

Regular pruning is not necessary for these plants as long as they receive the necessary light and water. Avoid pruning in the fall to avoid losing flowers next summer. The safest practice is to clip back individual flowers after they bloom and not after August 1st. Reshaping pruning involves cutting back a third of the branches over three years to maintain strength and flowering. If harsh winters occur, gently clip back branches to healthy buds, but heavy clipping may result in flower loss. Many gardeners enjoy having spent flower heads in the winter for structure and interest, contributing to the plant’s year-round beauty.

How to turn endless summer hydrangeas blue?

The color of hydrangea flowers is not determined by the blooms themselves but by the chemistry of the soil. Alkaline soils result in pinker blooms, while neutral pH soils show hints of blue with lavender shades. Blue hydrangeas bloom in acidic soils, usually with a pH of 5. 5 or less. To turn hydrangeas blue, mix ¼ oz aluminum sulfate with water and soak the soil surrounding the plant in spring. Reapply the acidity every 4 weeks and 8 weeks.

Organic materials like coffee grounds, egg shells, or citrus fruit peels can also make soil more acidic. Grinding these materials into the ground can gradually change the pH. Most hydrangeas are already blushing at a neutral pH, so it’s not necessary to turn them pink. However, if the hydrangeas show a purple tinge, lime products can be added to increase alkalinity and restore the color.

How often should I put coffee grounds on hydrangeas?

To change the color of hydrangeas, start by adding coffee grounds to the soil around them in late fall. Work the grounds into the soil to eliminate any off-putting smell and do this two to three times per year. It will take time to turn hydrangeas blue, especially for new baby hydrangeas that may not bloom for a couple of years. Start adding coffee grounds months before the blooming season begins, ideally in late fall. Repeat the process with your regular fertilizing schedule. With a little caffeine and patience, your hydrangeas should reward your efforts with bold blue globes in the spring.

How to get more blooms on endless summer hydrangea?

Endless Summer® Hydrangeas are a collection of Hydrangea macrophylla perennial shrubs that bloom on last year’s growth and the current season’s growth, providing more color and visual appeal to your garden. They bloom 10 to 12 weeks longer than average plants and show well in colder climates. To grow Endless Summer® Hydrangeas, consider site selection, soil preparation, and climate.

Planting in a location with full morning sun and dappled shade is crucial for bloom production. The farther north you live, the more sun your hydrangeas can handle. Allow 2-3 hours of morning sun with afternoon dappled or part shade.

Soil preparation is another important aspect of growing hydrangeas. To determine the type of soil, ask your local nursery for a soil test kit or use the “Jar Test” method. Dig down 4″, remove ¼ cup of soil, place it in a clear jar with water and dishwashing detergent, shake for one minute, and let the contents settle for 24 hours. The bottom layer is sand, the next layer is silt, and the top layer is clay.

In summary, Endless Summer® Hydrangeas are a unique and long-lasting addition to any garden, making them an excellent choice for those looking to add color and visual appeal to their garden.

Why are my endless summer hydrangeas turning white?

Hydrangeas are a beautiful plant that can be enhanced by regular watering, a partly shaded spot, and careful attention to the acidity of the soil. They can turn their blooms from pale blue or pretty pink to bold blue or pretty pink, providing a season-long display of gorgeous hues. Some types of hydrangeas can even change color by changing the pH of the soil. Gardening experts Melinda Myers and Amy Enfield advise against planting hydrangeas in direct sunlight, as it can speed up the natural fade of their flowers.

Instead, they recommend planting them in a protected spot that receives cool morning sun while avoiding the hot afternoon sun. This will help prevent the hydrangeas from turning pale and displaying their full potential.

What is the best time to fertilize hydrangeas?

It is recommended that fertilization of hydrangea shrubs be conducted during the early spring season, coinciding with the initial emergence of foliage. One straightforward method for providing plants with an early-season boost is the addition of compost around their base.

Are coffee grounds good for hydrangeas?

Coffee grounds can be used to change the color of hydrangeas, but it’s best to use aluminum sulfate for a proven flower color change. Crushed eggshells may work, but they should be used with a proven method of raising the pH, like applying garden lime. Vinegar can be added to watering cans to change soil acidity and turn hydrangeas blue, but it’s not a long-term solution and can be harmful to local wildlife.