Endless Summer Hydrangea

I have an Endless Summer Hydrangea it currently is about 10 years old and gets a little morning sun, but mostly mid afternoon sun. It gets "wilty" no matter how often I water it. What is the ideal location for this plant? sun/shade all sun? if so how do I keep it moist enough? If I need to move it, when should I do it? THANKS in advance!
  12 answers
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jan 25, 2012
    Your Hydrangea will probably do a bit better if you provide morning sun and afternoon shade, particularly if you are up next to the house where it is getting radiant heat as well as the direct sun. However, also take into consideration if you transplant to underneath large trees you will be fighting the trees for the water and nutrients the Hydrangea will need. Hydrangea's are best moved during dormancy. If you ground is not frozen you can transplant now. Try not to move while it is breaking dormancy. Once you transplant it, water it deep. In the spring, you will need to treat it as a brand new plant in the ground as opposed to an established one and pay attention to the water accordingly. Hope this helps. Happy Planting :)
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jan 26, 2012
    Great advice from Four Seasons. In my experience, hydrangeas are one of the most drought-sensitive plants out there, so no matter where you put it, it will need regular, deep waterings.
  • Gail--My Repurposed Life Gail--My Repurposed Life on Jan 26, 2012
    Thank You! Would you know why I only get about 30 blooms? Is it really suppose to bloom into fall? (it doesn't)
  • Ricardo B Ricardo B on Jan 26, 2012
    Ten years old and in the same place? Try this... slip a spade shovel down and all around the plant about 6 to eight inches out (and as deep as the spade. Now you can do one of three things: 1. While dormant, use the spade or close your eyes and use an ax to cut that monster in half. Leave half there and prepare another area for the other half. 2. Divide it in thirds and move everything somewhere else. 3. Leave the whole thing in place and just see if stimulating the roots will also stimulate more blooms. Regardless of what you do above... I'll guess now that what I've told yu to do will not likely kill it...
  • Mike and Anne Mike and Anne on Jan 26, 2012
    I agree that most hydrangas are better off if they do not get that hot afternoon sun. Most of them need an inch of water a week and good layer of mulch too.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jan 27, 2012
    I haven't grown "Endless Summer," Gail, but I think you may well see more blooms if you move the plant to a shadier spot where it is less stressed.
  • She2449587 She2449587 on Sep 27, 2015
    I had my hydrangeas on the south side of the house. (I'm in Australia, so north side for you) They flowered from Christmas to April or May.
  • Ruth Ruth on Feb 11, 2016
    I had hydrangeas that did that also. I was told it was normal on warm days and did not stress the plant adversely. In California, they suggest morning sun only in zone 9b...
  • Three Dogs in a Garden Three Dogs in a Garden on Feb 11, 2016
    If possible, you should move your hydrangea to a spot that has morning sun and afternoon shade. Moving a ten year old shrub is a bit tricky! I'd make the attempt in early spring and I'd time the upheaval to be done when the weather following the move is overcast or raining. That will spare the hydrangea from heat and sun on top of the transition. Water it well the day before the move. Then try not to damage the roots and keep the root ball as intact as possible. Even if rain is forecast, I'd water the hydrangea after the move as well. Good Luck!
  • Gail--My Repurposed Life Gail--My Repurposed Life on Feb 11, 2016
    I moved my hydrangea last year. It didn't bloom, but it did survive. Hoping it blooms this year!
  • Pat Nugent Pat Nugent on Mar 14, 2016
    In my experience with Endless Summer the best exposure is morning sun only and the best way to water is a soaker hose around the base. (I am in Illinois planting zone 5A.) It seems even in the most ideal of locations they will always wilt and look sad. I did attempt to transplant some of mine when they were 4 years old but was unsuccessful. The Tap Root is huge! Seriously, it had to be a good 5 inches around. We ended up pulling them out with the truck because the lawn tractor was not working. Good luck!