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Buy Floral Quality Blooms from McKay Nursery Here at McKay Nursery, we can give your landscape design a much-needed upgrade from our selection of eye-catching plants, including the Endless Summer® Summer Crush® hydrangea. Visit one of our garden centers in Wisconsin, or order our high-quality plants online! When you choose us as your nursery, you're guaranteed top-quality plants supported by our more-than 125 year of growing experience. Order your very own Summer Crush® Bigleaf hydrangea today!
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121.
- Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
2-3' x 2-3' 
Bloom Season:
Summer, Fall
- Salt Tolerant
- Long Blooming
- Cut Flower
Planting & Care for Summer Crush® Hydrangea Plants
Preparation
- These shrubs need damp soil high in organic matter.
- Improve poor soil areas by digging in plenty of well-decayed manure or compost a few months ahead of planting.
- Hydrangeas are best planted from March to November.
- Pick a spot that has dappled sunlight or morning sun and afternoon shade.
- Make sure your hydrangeas are sheltered from frosty winds, which can damage blossoms.
- The Summer Crush® Hydrangea requires six hours of full sun and partial afternoon shade.
Opening Plant Material
- Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
Planting Containers
- Hydrangeas can be planted March to November.
- Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or wider on the sides.
- Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
- With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2" off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
- Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
- Place the root ball in the hole.
- Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
- Check out our Planting & Handling Guide for additional planting information and illustrations.
Pruning - After Planting
- Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape Summer Crush® hydrangeas. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
Pruning - Throughout the Season
- Follow these pruning tips for your specific type of hydrangea:
- Hydrangea macrophylla – Cut off spent flowers in spring and remove crowding shoots.
- Hydrangea paniculata – Prune stems to within two buds of the base in late March.
- Hydrangea petiolaris – Cut out unwanted shoots when flowers fade. Remove a third of older stems in spring.
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
- Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
Watering - Throughout the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best growing zone for Summer Crush® hydrangea?
Does Summer Crush® hydrangea need overwintering?
In cold climates, place your container plants in a sheltered location, such as an unheated garage, basement, or shed. If your containers are too heavy to move, mulch plants with a thick layer and wrap the container in burlap or other insulation material.
What common diseases should I expect when growing hydrangeas?
What pests are common to Summer Crush® hydrangea?
You can remove spider mites and aphids by blasting your plants with water from a hose or applying insecticidal soap.
If you notice beetles on your hydrangeas, you can hand-pick them and drop the insects on soapy water.
Slugs can be removed by luring them away with baits or protecting your plants with a ring of diatomaceous earth (only applies in dry conditions).
What are the best strategies when reblooming hydrangea plants?
One way to encourage more pink hydrangea flowers to bloom is to place your plants in optimal light and soil conditions. Make sure you water your plants enough when hot weather strikes and use the right fertilizer.
Avoid pruning your Summer Crush® hydrangeas after fall since doing so can decimate next year’s bloom. Instead, you should deadhead your hydrangeas to make room for the next bloom.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.