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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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Climbing Pinkie



An interesting season this is turning out to be as June has arrived and we are still getting rain and it is yet to surpass the 80 degree mark. The garden is behind by about two weeks. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (or I don't think so) but it makes scheduling garden tours a bit tricky.

Looking back at garden photos from last year, I see that by late May, the roses were in full swing. This year, they are just beginning near the end of the first week of June.


The one rose that has been blooming fully is 'Climbing Pinkie'. Introduced in 1952, this polyantha rose is said to be popular in the United States and Australia but not as well known in other countries. It is a sport of the shrub variety 'Pinkie', introduced in 1947 (a seedling of 'China Doll'). Often described as a "mannerly climber", it does project an elegant statement when grown on a structure. It can also be grown as an arching shrub although I've never seen it used this way.

This rose is almost thornless and it is a fast grower. The one seen here in our garden is just 3 years old, having been planted on March 10, 2019. It reblooms through the summer although not as heavily as the first flush. The medium-sized semi-double flowers have a very light fragrance. Disease resistance is pretty good but it does drop lots of leaves during windy periods and Michael gripes about them messing up the pergola floor. It is easy to forgive for the stunning floriferous display it provides out our back windows.





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonJune 5, 2022 at 4:22 PM

    'Climbing Pinkie' is gorgeous, Phillip! I have a single climbing rose ('Joseph's Coat'), which is laughable by comparison. It's interesting that the weather in your part of the country is taking a tropical turn. Today's LA Times claimed that California's inland areas will be extremely hot this summer, although the coast should "only" be about 10 degrees warmer on average.

    I saw an article on your beautiful garden in the latest edition of Fine Gardening - congratulations!

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    1. Phillip OliverJune 5, 2022 at 8:05 PM

      Thanks Kris! I have 'Joseph's Coat' too but it hasn't done much yet.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowJune 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM

    That is one handsome rose, swoon worthy. I have never had such a prolific rose.

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  3. PatJune 15, 2022 at 8:53 AM

    Is this your garden or a tour as mentioned in your header. Either way...very impressive!!!

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  4. hbJune 15, 2022 at 7:17 PM

    I need it!

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