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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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Autumnal Equinox 9/23/23


Today is the official first day of fall - the Autumnal Equinox when the sun passes directly over the equator and progresses southward.  Weather-wise, it certainly feels like fall with the temperatures only in the 60s today and our first major rain event beginning tomorrow.

The garden looks good considering it is soooooo dry. The rain is needed badly. I glanced through the Farmer's Almanac while Michael was shopping for fabric this morning and the winter forecast for the Pacific Northwest is colder and dryer. On a brighter note, next summer is supposed to be cooler.









Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonSeptember 23, 2023 at 7:05 PM

    Your garden is looking very colorful on the first day of fall. Enjoy that rain! I'm envious.

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  2. Barbara H.September 23, 2023 at 9:38 PM

    Phillip, your gardens are always so beautiful. These pictures look like paintings.

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  3. Patricia CSeptember 24, 2023 at 8:48 AM

    So fabulous. Just love your garden and your posts. Always inspiring. Always gorgeous. Cheers, Phillip

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2023 at 10:10 AM

    I'm envious of your variegated Dogwood wolf-eyes. I fell in love when I saw it in your Alabama garden. The pink and gray phormium in front complements it beautifully.
    Chavli

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 24, 2023 at 8:57 PM

      It has really gotten much bigger here than it did in Alabama!

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  5. Book Cottage by the BaySeptember 25, 2023 at 10:28 AM

    Your gardens are always so beautiful. Our Equinox came with my favorite kind of fall weather-- rainy and cool. Perfect for reading. And after the drought we had, it was a welcomed change.

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  6. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 27, 2023 at 4:28 AM

    Your garden looks so lush even if it has been so dry. My garden is quite parched. Plants look wilted for the most part. I am looking forward to cool and rainy. I hope this fall brings the rain at least.

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