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...
Beautiful photos of a beautiful garden, Phillip! However, given that your bench shot shows that a geranium has taken over, it looks as though you haven't given yourself many opportunities to sit down and enjoy it ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is true. I wanted to cut it back and Michael insisted we leave it.
DeleteGorgeous, Phillip! You do August right! I am tempted to get a Vitex now that you've shown it here and in your July favorites.
ReplyDeleteJerry, you should. I love it.
DeleteOh, my! So beautiful. I remember when you put those steps in...
ReplyDeleteThe bench shot in particular is romantic and magazine worthy: I'm glad Michael insisted :-D
I see your Phormium is fully recover since a couple of winters ago. Right above it in the far left corner: are those 'red twig' dogwood branches in the large pot?
Chavli
I have cut the phormium down close to the ground for the past two seasons. Now that I know it will rebound, it is painless. Those twigs are a variety of different things, spray-painted red by Michael.
DeleteHow beautiful, you've created a masterpiece! I especially love the path photos #3 & #5. So lush, your garden looks like it appreciates the mild summer.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYour garden is so lovely, Phillip! Each path draws your eye further in...so lush. Debbie Crockett
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie! I loved your garden.
DeleteI've been following you and your garden for a while via your emails, and it just gets more beautiful every year! Thanks so much for sharing your gardening passion!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sandy!
DeleteLove these photos. An inspiration for a Vancouver Island gardener. What is the purple flowering bush, very tall, in photo #8? Love your use of colours. Divine!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That is a chaste tree (vitex).
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