Show-Stopping Color All Summer Long Our Summer Crush Hydrangea bush lives up to its name. Dark green foliage and spectacular raspberry-red blooms on a compact hydrangea that fits in any space make Hydrangea Summer Crush® the life of the party. This ‘mophead’ hydrangea makes great garden borders, fences, or foundation screens. It stands out as a focus plant in a nice container on your patio or outdoor living space. Like other Hydrangea macrophylla varieties, this compact hydrangea can change its bloom color based on the pH of the soil. Summer Crush® will bloom dark pink or raspberry red when planted in neutral or alkaline soils. If planted in acidic soils, the blooms will be dark-blue or purple. Either way, a sure beauty in the garden or on the patio. They are a favorite wherever they are planted. Summer Crush Hydrangea Bloom Time Summer Crush will bloom on old wood and again later in the summer on new wood, making for an extended display of brilliant blooms all summer long. The foliage will turn a striking dark burgundy color in the fall. The Summer Crush Bigleaf Hydrangea is fantastic for containers to bring color to patios, porches, and decks. Flank a garden gate, plant it in a large, tall urn by the back door, or set several on a low wall or at the patio’s edge. Add a splash of color to the side of the garage, or plant two by your mailbox just to show them off. Summer Crush Hydrangea Care Information Summer Crush® is hardy to USDA zones 4-9, making it a versatile choice. In the southern edges of its range, give it more shelter from the hot afternoon sun, and likewise, give it a few more rays if you live near the northern edge of its hardiness range. If you live in zone 4 or 5, plant in a location sheltered from harsh winter winds and mulch the base of the plant well in the fall. This bigleaf hydrangea loves morning sun and will grow in full sun to partial shade. If you are a zone 8 or 9 gardeners, select a location with some shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. Too much sun in southern areas may reduce blooming. Loose, fertile, and well-drained soil is what these hydrangeas love, but they will tolerate most conditions. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season after transplanting. Once they are well-established, they should only require watering during prolonged dry periods. If planting in a container, use any good-quality potting mix and add some perlite or coco coir to aid drainage and water retention. Summer Crush Hydrangea Size A compact and well-behaved plant, Summer Crush® will be 2-3 feet tall and wide at maturity. Plants living in containers will likely be on the smaller end of that range, limited by root space. Summer Crush Hydrangea Pruning Techniques These compact plants do not need much pruning. Deadhead the spent flowers after blooming and remove any broken branches at this time. Shop the Summer Crush Hydrangea for sale today! Be sure to check out our Hydrangea Grow Guide and Why is my Hydrangea Wilting.
