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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...
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"Veilchenblau" on archway, "Mutabablis" below. "Mutabalis" is a bit puny from the winter die-back but it is rebounding.


Roses on top of the pergola - "Russell's Cottage Rose" on the left and "Rambling Rector" on the right.

Rose along the pergola border - "Double Knock-Out" on the left. On the right you can see "Gourmet Popcorn" (white miniature), "Gartendirektor Otto Linne", "Russell's Cottage Rose" and "Rambling Rector".


The hybrid musk rose "Moonlight" always put on a good show.




"Daydream" is a modern shrub rose that I purchased on a whim at Home Depot a few years ago. It is beautiful when it first blooms but usually tends to get blackspot later in the summer.


"La Marne" - all around fantastic rose.


"Peggy Martin" aka The Hurricane Katrina Rose, is growing up the trunk of a declining cyptomeria.


Near the back driveway entrance and alongside the street is a hedge of "Gartendirektor Otto Linne".


Behind the fence is "Tausendschön", also known as "Thousand Beauties".


Along the front border "Marjorie Fair" blooms on the right. The center row of roses are "Alba Meidiland" which are just beginning to open. Also in the border but harder to see are the roses "Marchella Boccella", "Frederic Mistral" and "Marie Daly".


"Marjorie Fair", aka "Red Ballerina" on the right. The light pink rose on the left is sold by the Antique Rose Emporium as "Lavender Pink Parfait". The tall pink rose in the back is "Frederic Mistral".

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Edith KentMay 16, 2014 at 8:02 AM

    Phillip...they are out if this world beautiful! !!

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  2. chavlinessMay 16, 2014 at 8:16 AM

    Breathtaking. I can only imagine how fragrant and delightful it is to walk along the paths in your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  3. jane in txMay 16, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    I drool over your garden! It is the most gorgeous thing. When I read your blog, I pretend I'm sitting in
    your beautiful space. Thanks for creating such a work of art
    jane in tx

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    Replies
    1. ProfessorRoushMay 17, 2014 at 2:14 PM

      Just added vielchenblau myself. I hope it has that kind of display someday

      Delete
  4. HoehoegrowMay 16, 2014 at 2:19 PM

    Oh I did enjoy that tour ! Some lovely roses blooming there ! Love Veilchenblau - mine is nearly out, but not quite ... can't wait !!
    What sort of care do you give them - organic/ non organic ?

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowMay 16, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    Wow is about all I can say. Happy GBBD.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Phillip OliverMay 17, 2014 at 8:49 PM

    Jane, I have experimented with various things over the years but I have not fed them with anything for the past 3 or 4 years. I find that the best thing is to keep the soil healthy and rich and I add leaves and compost in the fall and sometimes again in the spring.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AaronMay 19, 2014 at 6:42 PM

    wow - your garden is a riot of roses!!

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  8. SybilSeptember 10, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    hmmm...was thinking to add Veilchenblau on my fence, but maybe it needs more room. Yours is stunning! <3 Is that only one plant?

    ReplyDelete

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