Hydrangea Summer Crush® (3 Gallon)

Hydrangea Summer Crush® (Hydrangea macrophylla) – 3 Gallon

Description  
Hydrangea Summer Crush® is a breakthrough reblooming bigleaf hydrangea that dazzles with vibrant raspberry red to neon purple blooms from late spring through fall. This compact, mounded shrub features glossy, deep green foliage and a tidy habit, making it perfect for borders, foundation plantings, containers, or as a colorful accent in any landscape. Summer Crush® is exceptionally heat tolerant, disease resistant, and blooms reliably on both old and new wood, ensuring a long season of color. The flower color can be influenced by soil pH—acidic soils produce purple-blue blooms, while alkaline soils yield raspberry red. Easy to grow and low maintenance, Summer Crush® brings bold, season-long beauty to gardens large and small.

Key Features
- **Botanical Name:** Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmacfive' PP30359
- **Common Name:** Summer Crush® Hydrangea
- **Container Size:** 3 Gallon
- **Mature Size:** 18–36" tall, 18–36" wide (compact, mounded habit)
- **Bloom Color:** Raspberry red to neon purple (color varies with soil pH)
- **Bloom Time:** Late spring through fall (reblooming)
- **Foliage:** Glossy, deep green, deciduous
- **Sunlight:** Full sun to part shade (best with morning sun, afternoon shade)
- **Soil:** Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter; flower color affected by pH
- **Water Needs:** Moderate; keep soil consistently moist, especially in heat
- **Hardiness Zones:** USDA 4–9
- **Maintenance:** Low; prune after flowering if needed, blooms on old and new wood
- **Special Features:** Reblooming, compact size, heat tolerant, disease resistant, excellent for cut flowers and containers, pollinator friendly

Care Instructions
1. **Planting:**  
   - Choose a location with morning sun and afternoon shade.  
   - Space plants 2–3 feet apart for mass plantings or borders.
2. **Watering:**  
   - Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot or dry periods.  
   - Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
3. **Fertilizing:**  
   - Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring.  
   - For blue/purple blooms, amend soil with aluminum sulfate; for red blooms, maintain neutral to alkaline soil.
4. **Pruning:**  
   - Prune after flowering to shape if needed.  
   - Remove dead or weak stems in early spring.
5. **Mulching:**  
   - Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Landscape Uses
- Borders and foundation plantings
- Containers and patio gardens
- Accent or specimen shrub
- Mass plantings
- Cut flower gardens