Deciduous Shrubs

BOLD means new to us; Wd-well drained; M-moist; W-woodland; Hr-humus rich; DH-deadhead; P-poor; S-sandy; Ps-part shade; X-excellent; Gc- ground cover; N-neutral; A-acid; Alk-alkaline; ^-winter protection; Lm-leaf Mould; F-fertile; Mt-moisture retentive

Helpful Hint: No pruning or fertilizer, compost is fertilizer too, to trees or shrubs after August 1st, it promotes new growth which will freeze off in the winter resulting in winter kill of the plant. Water heavily until freeze-up, especially on newly planted material or in a year suffering from drought.

When planting trees/shrubs it is best to not use any fertilizer in the hole, except Bonemeal, which should be worked in with the soil & peat moss & Humus should be worked well into the soil, around the roots, as well. Allow lots of room in the hole for the roots to spread out. If the root is pot bound make several long slashes from top to bottom of the root allowing the roots to escape.

Water the hole well. It is very important to have the water in the hole where the roots are trying to get established. Cover in the roots with the soil you removed from the hole & tamp lightly working around the root ball & fill the hole with soil. Create a 'basin' effect to catch the water. Water well once a week even in the rain.

Questions Commonly Asked

"My hydrangea grows beautiful green leaves, but I haven’t seen any blooms yet. How do I get my hydrangea to bloom endlessly?"
There are a few main reasons that you may not see blooms on your hydrangeas plants that can inhibit bloom production. Hydrangeas prefer moist, but not wet soil, and one application of fertilizer in spring or early summer. Endless Summer® hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon dappled shade. If they are planted in full sun, it may be too hot and intense for the blooms to produce.

"I had several small blooms on my hydrangeas last year, so this year I have fertilized every 10 days until I saw blooms starting to develop. What else should I be doing to get big blooms?"
The first rule of thumb is to NOT over-fertilize your plants. We suggest one application of granular fertilizer in spring or early summer, and then follow package instructions afterwards. If you over-fertilize, it can burn the root system of your hydrangeas and actually inhibit bloom production.

"I pruned my hydrangeas back after an early frost and now I am not seeing blooms. Why is that?"
How to prune hydrangeas is a great question. If you pruned your hydrangeas back to the base, that is where your new blooms will grow from! for the new growth to develop and produce blooms.it will take some time. Be patient and look for the green growth coming up from the base of the plants.

Blooming Guide for Hydrangeas

Hydrangea arborescens: Blooms on new wood, prune in late winter or early spring.

Hydrangea macrophylla: Blooms on old wood, do not prune. Remove only spent flowers and dead, damaged or unsightly wood.

Hydrangea paniculata: Blooms on new wood, prune in late winter or early spring.

Hydrangea quercifolia: Blooms on old wood, do not prune. Remove only spent flowers and dead, damaged or unsightly wood.

Hydrangea serrata: Blooms on old wood, do not prune.