Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer The Original Blue

Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer® The Original, like the other varieties in the Endless Summer® series, is a plant with a particularly perpetual flowering. If planted in acidic soil, it will produce pale blue flowerheads. The flowers bloom for a very long period, both on one-year-old wood and on the shoots of the current year. This particularly hardy shrub will suffer neither early frosts nor late frosts. It will bloom from early summer until October.

Hydrangea macrophylla, from which 'Endless Summer® The Original' originates, belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family. It is native to China and Japan. Endless Summer® The Original is part of a series of varieties selected for their excellent ability to re-flower throughout the season, both on one-year-old branches and on the branches of the current year. It is a very hardy shrub with a rounded bushy habit, almost as wide as it is tall, reaching 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in all directions at maturity. From June, and until October, the small flowers gathered in dense clusters form large powder blue pompoms in very acidic soil or soil rich in aluminium sulphate, then fade into a texture resembling paper. They renew themselves tirelessly, until the foliage takes on its autumn colours before falling. In summer, the flowering is accompanied by dark green foliage. The leaves are opposite, reaching a minimum length of 10cm (3.9in). They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a pointed tip.

Endless Summer hydrangeas are sturdy and faithful plants, which live and bloom for many years in the garden. With excellent hardiness, these shrubs are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This variety will thrive in flowerbeds as well as hedges, but it really deserves a prime location, near a terrace or close to the home. Even though these plants fear limestone, hydrangeas are not strictly ericaceous plants. Mix them with each other and with magellanica fuchsias, the curious climbing species Fuchsia hatschbachii, or annual impatiens. Alternatively, plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their beautiful flowers for a long time, in the garden or in bouquets at home.

Note: The colour of Hydrangea macrophylla flowers varies depending on the soil pH. Traditionally blue varieties turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. To maintain a beautiful blue colour, mix ericaceous soil with your garden soil and apply aluminium sulphate (found in slate) or alum stone every spring.