The new variety “Endless Summer” is a Macrophylla variety, i.e. H. It is one of the popular farmer's hydrangeas, which are also botanically correctly referred to as Hydrangea macrophylla. In contrast to the classic farmer's hydrangeas, "Endless Summer" blooms on both old and new wood - a real exception among the Macrophylla hydrangeas. Nevertheless, when it comes to pruning, it is treated in the same way as other farmer's hydrangeas.
How should the Endless Summer hydrangea be cut?
Answer: With the Endless Summer hydrangea, you should remove faded flowers during the growing season and cut out dead and diseased branches annually. A thinning and rejuvenation cut is recommended after a few years, for older specimens, by removing a third of the oldest branches.
Pruning measures depend on the hydrangea variety
There are around 70 different types of hydrangeas worldwide, but only a small part of them thrives in German gardens for climatic reasons. The most widespread are the numerous varieties of Macrophylla hydrangeas, which are also known as farmer's hydrangeas. When it comes to cutting, all garden hydrangeas can be divided into two groups. The first group must not be cut back as these varieties form their flowers on the previous year's shoots. Hydrangeas in the second group, on the other hand, have to be cut because their flowers only appear on fresh shoots. However, “Endless Summer” is an exception because it blooms on both types of wood.
Sensible care cut in spring
Although the “Endless Summer” hydrangea should not be cut back, some pruning measures are still useful:
- Cut out spent flowers during the growing season.
- This makes the flower even richer.
- You can only leave faded flowers over the winter in late summer/autumn.
- Remove all dead branches annually.
- New shoots can grow from this base.
- Immediately remove diseased shoots and leaves (e.g. those infected with powdery mildew).
Thinning out and rejuvenating older specimens
Younger hydrangeas of the “Endless Summer” variety should not be cut in the first few years so that they can grow into stately bushes. Thinning and rejuvenation pruning is only necessary after a few years, cutting away about a third of the oldest branches just above the ground. This rejuvenation cut should definitely be carried out, otherwise the hydrangea will age and its flowering performance will decrease significantly. Shoots that grow too densely can also be removed regularly so that the inner parts of the plant get enough light and air.
Tips & Tricks
In contrast to other farmer's hydrangeas, it is not a problem with "Endless Summer" if flower buds freeze due to late frosts in spring. New buds are immediately formed on the young shoots. Frozen shoots should also be cut away in spring, as they create an entry point for various pathogens and weaken the plant overall.