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Pruning 'Summer Crush' Hydrangea in Late Summer or Early Fall

Hydrangea 'Summer Crush' in June... in September Pruning can be a complicated project, especially when it comes to hydrangeas (I can think of one more plant that causes pruning headaches - clematis). That said, if you grow many hydrangeas, especially different types, once you get the hang of it, it begins to come naturally. I used to rarely prune my hydrangeas because I had more space. Now, with a smaller garden, I'm finding that some are getting too large for comfort. Case in point, 'Summer Crush'. It is actually not a huge hydrangea, but it does get larger than advertised - about 5 feet in my garden (the tag said 3-4'). 'Summer Crush' is in the 'Endless Summer' line of hydrangeas and they are among the easier to prune. This is because they bloom on both old and new wood. Therefore, no matter when you prune, you should get blooms. It is the older hydrangeas, the ones that only bloom on old wood, that you have to be careful with. I would recomm...

Peonies and such

Peony "Sorbet"

So many blooms, so little time to photograph! I was walking around the garden yesterday experimenting with making a video with my camera and realized that May is almost gone. It has been a wonderfully mild Spring with abundant rainfall but the season has went by in a flash. I was disheartened yesterday to see that the roses were almost gone. Despite the wonderful weather, it seems like they haven't lasted as long as they normally do. Maybe I've been so busy, I just haven't had time to enjoy them.

Here are some other blooms that I meant to post for Blogger's Bloom Day and never got around to it.



peony-krinkled-white
Peony "Krinkled White"

iris
Louisiana Iris

phlomis-jerasalem-sage
Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa)

pomegranate
Pomegranate

baptisia-purple-smoke
Baptisia "Purple Smoke"
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Phillip, These photos are extraordinary! You must tell me what your secrets to such wonderful shots are! Dear Husband is my photographer, but I am trying to learn more on my own. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden!

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  2. Pretty pretty. I have only a peony tree. I must get some of these other beauties.

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  3. OMG!

    So beautiful pictures! Your garden must be marvelous. The best regards.
    Garden-Chair

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  4. Beautiful pictures Phillip! Spring seems to be going by oddly fast here too, in spite of the cool temperatures.

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  5. Beautiful flowers all around. Really jealous of the pomegranate blossom.

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  6. Hi Phillip, It seems like this spring has lasted longer and the roses too. I'm retired though so I have time to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Your garden and your photographs are lovely.

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  7. Phillip, any recommendations for peonies for down south? I've been wanting to get one, but stymied on what to pick...

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  8. I'm with you Phillip, I hate to think of May coming to end. From here on out, I'll have to fight harder for my blooms because it will get hot and dry, and the bugs will arrive. May is my favorite!

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  9. I noticed the same thing. Plants are blooming faster than I'm taking pictures. Your peonies are incredible! :o)

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  10. Gorgeous as always Phillip! And your flower pictures are nice too:) You are right spring should liger for several more months!

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  11. Lovely blooms!!!

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