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Endless Summer® Summer Crush® Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'bailacfive' PP30359, CPBRAF
Summer Crush® is the hydrangea I reach for when someone says, “I want real color—no pastel, no maybe.” Those raspberry-red mopheads are the definition of summer, and the compact habit means you can actually fit it where the best view is—right by the front walk or on the patio in a big pot. Give it morning sun, protect it from hot afternoon rays, keep it evenly moist, and don’t get heavy-handed with pruning. Do that, and it’ll reward you with a long season of bold, feel-good blooms.
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Endless Summer® Summer Crush® Hydrangea for Reblooming Mophead Flowers and Vivid Red-Pink Color in Compact Spaces
Raspberry-Red Mophead Blooms That Light Up Summer Beds
Summer Crush® is the boldest color in many landscapes—a saturated raspberry-red to hot-pink mophead bloom that instantly looks “expensive” in a foundation bed or patio border. The flowers are classic bigleaf hydrangea style: rounded, full mopheads that feel lush and romantic, with the kind of color that pops against deep green foliage. When you want a hydrangea that doesn’t blend in, this is the one that gets noticed.
Even better, those blooms aren’t just a one-time event. Summer Crush® is part of the Endless Summer® family, which is prized for repeat flowering when conditions are right. That means you can enjoy waves of color through the season instead of one short peak. It’s also a fantastic cut-flower shrub—clip a few blooms for a vase, and the plant still looks full outdoors, especially when it’s planted where it gets consistent moisture.
Compact Habit That Fits Foundation Beds And Patio Gardens
Not every yard has room for a giant hydrangea, and that’s exactly why Summer Crush® is so popular. It typically matures around 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, forming a tidy, rounded shrub that tucks neatly into smaller landscapes. Use it at the front of a mixed border, along a walkway, or in a foundation bed where you want color without blocking windows. It’s also a great “repeat plant” for a clean, designer look—three in a row makes an instant hydrangea moment.
Because it stays compact, it’s also a strong choice for large containers. A roomy pot, high-quality planting mix, and steady watering can turn Summer Crush® into a patio centerpiece with real curb appeal. Just remember: containers dry faster than beds, so the key to looking lush is consistent moisture. If you’ve ever wanted bigleaf hydrangea glamour in a manageable size, this one checks the box.
Reblooming Performance When You Get Light And Water Right
Summer Crush® is a reblooming bigleaf hydrangea, meaning it can flower on both old and new wood. That “two-wood” bloom habit is the reason Endless Summer® types are so valued—if some buds are damaged by winter or late frost, the plant still has the ability to produce blooms on new growth later in the season. It’s not magic, but it is a real advantage over traditional bigleaf hydrangeas, which bloom only on old wood.
To get the best reblooming performance, think “gentle morning sun, protected afternoons, and steady moisture.” Morning sun helps with bud set and flowering, while afternoon shade reduces stress and wilting in summer heat. Mulch helps keep the root zone cool and evenly moist, which supports both foliage health and bloom production. When the plant isn’t stressed, you’ll see more consistent flowering and a fuller, healthier shrub.
Color Flexibility, Simple Pruning, And Spacing That Prevents Problems
Summer Crush® color can shift based on soil chemistry, but it’s bred to be a strong red-pink performer. In more alkaline soils, blooms tend to stay pinker; in more acidic soils, some bigleaf hydrangeas can skew toward purples or blue tones. The best approach is to enjoy the color range and focus on plant health first—consistent moisture, mulch, and the right light make a much bigger difference in the overall show than chasing an exact shade.
Pruning is where many bigleaf hydrangeas get into trouble, so keep it simple: prune lightly and only when needed. Remove dead wood in spring and avoid hard pruning that removes developing buds. Spacing matters too—plant about 3 to 4 feet apart so air can move through the foliage, helping leaves dry faster after rain and reducing stress. With the right spacing and a light hand on pruning, Summer Crush® delivers a cleaner plant and a bigger, longer bloom season.
| Hardiness Zone: | 4-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 4 feet |
| Sunlight: | Part shade; morning sun + afternoon shade ideal |
| Bloom Time / Color | Summer through fall; raspberry-red to hot pink mophead blooms (can vary with soil pH) |
| Soil Condition: | Moist, well-drained, organically rich soil |
| Water Requirements: | Medium to high; keep evenly moist, especially in heat |
| Wildlife Value | Seasonal garden activity; can support pollinator presence |
| Resistance | Not reliably deer resistant; reblooming on old and new wood |
| Landscape Uses | Foundation beds, borders, shade gardens, patio containers, cut flowers, mass plantings |
How to Care for Endless Summer® Summer Crush® Hydrangea
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Endless Summer® Summer Crush® Hydrangea for years to come!
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How should I plant Summer Crush® Hydrangea?
Plant Summer Crush® in moist, well-drained soil in part shade, ideally with morning sun and afternoon shade. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with native soil (mix in compost if needed), then water deeply to settle the soil and remove air pockets. Finish with 2–3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stems. Mulch is a big deal for bigleaf hydrangeas—it helps the plant stay evenly moist and reduces heat stress, which supports better reblooming. If planting multiples, give each shrub space so foliage dries faster after rain.
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How often should I water Summer Crush® Hydrangea after planting?
Water deeply right after planting, then keep the soil consistently moist for the first several weeks. A good baseline is two deep waterings per week, adjusting for rainfall, heat, wind, and soil drainage. Bigleaf hydrangeas dislike drying out, and consistent moisture during establishment helps the plant root in and maintain foliage quality through summer. After the first season, water during dry spells and hot stretches, especially if the plant gets morning sun. Hydrangeas bloom best when they aren’t drought-stressed, and steady moisture supports healthier leaves and better flower production. Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage drier and reduce stress.
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When should I fertilize Summer Crush® Hydrangea?
Fertilize in spring as new growth begins using a balanced, slow-release shrub fertilizer, or top-dress with compost for gentle feeding. Apply over the root zone (not against the stems) and water afterward so nutrients move into the soil. Avoid heavy feeding, which can push leafy growth without improving blooms. If your soil is lean, a light second feeding in early summer can support ongoing growth and reblooming. Skip late-season fertilizing so the plant can slow down and harden off before fall. Mulch plus moderate feeding is often the simplest route to stronger growth and better flowering.
When and how should I prune Summer Crush® Hydrangea?
Prune Summer Crush® lightly, focusing on cleanup rather than heavy shaping. In spring, remove dead wood and any stems that clearly did not survive winter, cutting back to healthy buds. Because this is a reblooming bigleaf hydrangea, preserving old wood helps you get earlier blooms, while new growth can contribute to later flowering. Avoid hard pruning in late winter or spring, which can remove developing buds and reduce bloom potential. If you need to shape the plant, do minimal trimming right after a flush of blooms, and keep cuts light. A gentle pruning approach plus good spacing and consistent moisture is the best strategy for a longer, fuller bloom season.
