If you've read through all the threads on Endless Summer you might come to the conclusion that its claims of blooming "all summer into fall" could be a bit overstated. Success with this selection has not been uniform and for many gardeners, once the plant has been purchased and established in the garden, it doesn't quite live up to its hype. While its greater hardiness pretty much ensures it survives across a wide range of climates, the amount of dieback that occurs each winter, at least in colder winter climates, seems to just stunt the plant in terms of overall growth and blooming potential. Those gardeners in warmer climates simply have better and heavier flowering choices available.

This is not to discourage you from choosing this selection, only to make you aware of what you can expect. And it would not be happy in a full sun location in a hot summer climate like Utah. Dappled all day shade or morning sun and afternoon shade is preferred.

It's not going to provide you with blue flowers, but I'd suggest your first hydrangea choice be one of the paniculatas, perhaps 'Limelight'. Flowers will be globular, not flat, but they will start as greenish buds, open to a pure, creamy white, fade to a rosey pink and then finish as a green-pink tone. Paniculatas are very easy to grow, are more sun and drought tolerant than just about any other species, very hardy and bloom heavily. And because they bloom on new growth (rather than the old growth of most macs), they can be pruned each spring to maintain a specific size.

btw, 'Bailmer' is the patented cultivar name - Endless Summer is the trademarked (sale) name.

Here is a link that might be useful: growing Endless Summer (Bailey Nursery website)

Thank you gardengal48!! I really appreciate the suggestion. It is sooooo tempting, but I think I'm going to stay away from Endless Summer. Limelight sounds really promising, but are there any other colors in the paniculatas-type? Even a pure white would be great!

Joseph in Salt Lake City

Paniculatas only offer white flowers, but there are many different cultivars that offer variations on this theme - some age to a deeper pink, some turn to pink very rapidly, some offer a lot more green to their coloring but all will feature creamy white, in-season flowers. There're scads of cultivars available......consider researching 'Angel Blush', 'Pink Diamond', Quickfire', 'Little Lamb', 'PeeGee' (Grandiflora) or 'Tardiva' in addition to 'Limelight' to see what you like and what's available in your area.

I found a Nikko blue today at a plant center that was left over from last year. It was in a 1 gallon pot and has last year's woody growth that is starting to develop buds on it.

I planted it in my front yard, in direct sun and added a slow-release fertilizer for plants that need acid soil.

I hope that with the fertilizer for acid plants that it produces enough acid in the soil to keep the flowers blue.

Cheers everyone!
Joseph

Joseph, I saw your questions and comments about your Hydrangeas in Salt Lake City from several years ago and wondered how it has turned out for you. I also am in SLC and have struggled to keep a hydrangea alive here. Can you give me advise on how to succeed in our climate and which variety you have had success with? Did the Nikko Blue work out in a full sun location?

Thanks!

Liz in SLC