Friday, May 10, 2019

Hardier And More Colorful Hydrangeas


Summer Crush™ hydrangea
For over a quarter of a century, hydrangea breeders (Bailey's, Spring Meadows, and other nurseries) have introduced hardier, tougher, and more colorful bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) that bloom on both new and old wood (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). 

Old wood flowers are set on last year’s growth and new wood flowers develop on current season's growth. It is important not to prune these hydrangeas late in the summer, as flower buds have already formed for the following spring.

Forver a quarter century, Proven Winners Colorchoice™ and Bailey’s Nurseries (Endless Summer™, Bloomstruck™, and Summer Crush™ brands) have introduced the newest hydrangea genetics. The Let's Dance™  series is worth a try in smaller gardens. A second option is to grow a different type of hydrangea Hydrangea serrata, or mountain hydrangea. New in this category from PW Colorchoice is the Tuff Stuff® series which have demonstrated superior bud hardiness and rebloom. Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha® reblooms heavily and has large doubled sepals on lacecap blooms, either pink or blue depending on soil (media) pH.­­­­­