Endless summer hydrangea problems

[A Closet Canuck]

I have to admit I gave up on the Endless Summer, I ripped it out. I really want a hydrangea that behaves like a shrub. I think I will go with an Annabelle.

With this drought though it may be a while before I plant anything.

I completely understand your approach. Good luck with Annabelle!

[Grannygardener]

I'm in zone 4 and have Limelight planted on the north side of my house where it's exposed to some fairly brutal winter cold (-40) and strong winds. I'm very pleased with it's performance. It remains erect and compact with no support and is now almost 5 ft. tall after about 4 years. I find the Annabelles very floppy and needing support,although the blossoms are humungous. Edie

[A Closet Canuck]

'Limelight' is a nice-looking hydrangea. Glad to hear about its good qualities.

[kelly_m]

Heidi...I have QuickFire and highly recommend it....blooms on old wood only...as a matter of fact, just acts shrub-like....I haven't had any new growth from the bottom like most Hydrangeas.

Very hardy for weather, drought, dogs........

For any Hydrangea that blooms on old wood.....well...it seems except Quick Fire....with the weather Ontario has had this year....the old wood was starting to leaf out in March....then the cold snap pretty much killed it, so if all you are getting is new wood....then don't be expecting any flowers this year.

i've been reccomending heavy fertilizing this year....bring on blooms for next!

[styric]

I fell in love with a Quickfire the other day, but the $$ price tag threw me off. Now that I've seen the reviews for it, I just might go back with my $20 off coupon and get that beauty.

[kelly_m]

That works!!! LOL

[A Closet Canuck]

Hmm! i just looked on the Proven Winners site for information about QuickFire hydrangea (H. paniculata 'QuickFire'0. The site says 'QuickFire' blooms on NEW wood.

So, I wonder what the deal really is? lol Was interested in getting this plant but i don't want something that blooms on old wood, given the erratic weather in winter and spring.

[kelly_m]

Hey Trish

You are absolutely correct with that info.....I will have to double check my records...I was positive mine was Quickfire.

Mine acts very much like any other shrub.....does not come up with new growth in the spring, except on existing branches. Perhaps it is new growth on old wood? And it does age to pink, like the QuickFire does!

What ever the heck I have is incredibly hardy....Still going despite the incredibly dry summer we have had....Though I believ flower growth was stunted slightly...it did start to flower, but I think the drought dried up the flowers!

QuickFire does appear to be rather hardy though...comments like drought tolerant and will bloom every year despite any harsh winters.....so, I would still consider it if I were you!

[Heidi S]

My brand new Quickfire is blooming right now, and I planted it in June. So far so good, and one of my neighbours has been drooling over it, so she wants one too.

I had some birthday money from Mom-in-law, so I bought it and a 'Paprika' Osoeasy rose also from Proven Winners - it has bloomed well too. Liking them both for sure.

Kelly, this hydrangea is supposed to get 6' w x 8' h at mature size, so I am thinking that the shrub structure is definitely your old wood, and the blooms are just on the new wood. My flowers are just starting to age colour into a faint pinky tone - looking forward to it getting a bit more colour by fall.

[kelly_m]

Then It's what I have!

How about we sayNew growth wood and old wood new growth!

Would be a little less confusing! Esp with some of the new hydrangeas coming out!