Before I knew we were going to get unusually hot (all 100's this week), I ordered an Endless Summer Hydrangea.

It arrived today in the most perfect condition, three large blooms, beautiful leaves, almost 3 feet tall.

I watered the roots well and set it on the front porch in the shade to get it acclimated to the weater.

Is it better to plant it tonight before it gets dark, or early in the morning before the sun comes up?

Would love to see some pictures of your Hydrangeas and any growing tips. What beautiful plants!

Another variegated hydrangea that I bought on impulse because of the gorgeous foliage is also a water hog. From now on it's nothing but the oakleaf for me!

My question was when do I plant it? Tonight or in the morning?

Also, since this is an Endless Summer Hydrangea, I'm reading mixed reports on when or if I should prune it come late Fall and Spring.

I've been told to prune it before the first frost, but doesn't that encourage new growth right before it freezes?

If I have to prune it, wouldn't it be better to prune it after the last frost in the Spring?

So many questions! lol

Some people prune them but I've never pruned mine. When I did they were not as large the following year however I'm in a different zone than you.

I have 4 varieties -

This is a lacecap. I planted it under my crape myrtle.

This one is called Nikko (I think)

Can't remember the name of this one

I've never pruned my ES, but my understanding is that it blooms on both old and new wood, if that helps you with your pruning decision.

I ordered three hydrangeas from Bluestone this year: a species oakleaf (quercifolia), Little Lamb, and Sadie Ray. Little Lamb got cut down by a rabbit a couple of days after planting. The oakleaf is okay so far, and for now Sadie Ray is sitting in a pot, waiting for me to acquire some chicken wire or other protection before I put it in the ground.

Have fun with your new hydrangea!

Susan

Annette

Libby

The Nikko is the last picture.

Edna

I rarely prune mine, except late last summer I pruned a 14 year old one by the porch.
They will survive without being drowned, but they do like water.
I like to plant them near a birdbath.

I only have one kind of mophead, all cuttings of a very old hydrangea with no name.
I do have a named H. Serrata and a variegated leaf lacecap.

Nell

Annette

I will second the water point. They will need lots of water. Even a couple years after mine have been planted they need very regular watering. They still wilt on me. I assumed they will eventually not do so. I hope so!

I didn't notice where you said you were planting them, but in Oklahoma they need to be on the north side or the east side.

Here is my Endless Summer from last year (May 28, 2008) I have two Nikkos planted on either side. I thought I had a picture from this year, but I don't see it. It might still be on my camera :) I'll look.

I did find one pic of ES from this year, but not a wide shot of the three. I need to get one.

I just chopped off most of these blooms today, but the pic is from June 2, 2009.

Here's a glimpse of one of my Nikkos:

This year I didn't do any pruning until after they leafed out. Then I just cut out the dead stuff.

Lisa

It's funny, but my new flowerbed is on the north side of the house now since that's the way the house now faces. I thought I'd be doing a shade garden and did research on what to plant. Then when we finished the add-on, the flowerbed gets full sun and MORE. So everything I was flying by the seat of my pants and just buying things I knew nothing about. But it's been a lot of fun experimenting with new plants.

I sure hope the Hydrangea does well because I want a whole row of them. I am so late to the Hydrangea party!

Nell

I have mine on the north side of my house, in front of the porch. They get just a tiny bit of morning sun and some very late afternoon sun but it's filtered by a large Lochinch buddleia. I had them in pots for years under my pergola but I'm at a mile high elevation so the sun was just too intense for them in that location.

I also have 'Kuhnert Blue'. They are in pots on the back porch. They're very thirsty. I'm trying to keep them blue but they're turning purple from our alkaline water. I mostly use them for cut flowers.

Diana

I once planted a nikko which was supposed to be fine for part sun in my backyard, but it started to burn up. So I thought it probably got shocked after being indoors in garden centres for so long. So if this is the case with your plants, create a screen to shade the plants for at least through the summer months. I made the screen from bamboos and cloth and after the summer months were over, I felt it was safe and removed the covers. By next season, the plant came out well and required no special shading.

Hope this helps.

Ianna