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Endless Summer Pop Star Hydrangea Shrubs for Sale Online
We’re in our Endless Summer® era and the latest sensation is the Pop Star® (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmacsix'). New to commercial sales in 2023, Pop Star is already a hit with many savvy gardeners, who may also refer to it as a Bigleaf or French hydrangea.
This new strain of Endless Summer Hydrangea has been described as a "breeding breakthrough" in the horticultural world. Reblooming 2-4 weeks sooner than similar hydrangea varieties, Pop Star is getting rave reviews. This Bigleaf variety is also genetically compact, growing to a maximum height of 36 inches. Pop Star Hydrangea is disease-resistant, cold-hardy, and heat tolerant. Hydrangea fans living in hardiness zones 4-9 can all enjoy Pop Star’s summer performance.
Plant the Pop Star Hydrangea where it receives morning sun but is protected from the harsh afternoon rays. Like many macrophylla hydrangeas, this Endless Summer cultivar can change color based on the soil's acidity.
Thanks to its compact size, reblooming, and easy care, the Pop Star hydrangea is a reliable show-stopper. Endless Summer Pop Star® will surely bring the wow factor, whether planted in a patio container, used in a perennial border, or given its own small space in the landscape to shine.
Hardiness Zone: | 4-9 |
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Mature Height: | 4 to 5 feet |
Mature Width: | 4 to 5 feet |
Classification: | Broad leaved deciduous shrub, summer flowering |
Sunlight: | Partial shade |
Habit: | Upright, densely branched |
Foliage: | Dark green |
Flower Color: | Violet blue in acid soil; deep rose in alkaline soil |
Pruning Season: | Prune immediately after flowering, flowers on old wood |
Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a specimen planting |
How to Care for Endless Summer® Pop Star® Hydrangea
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!
How should I plant my Endless Summer Hydrangea?
When planting, loosen the roots of your Pop Star hydrangea gently with your fingers to encourage outward root growth. Dig a hole a little wider than the container, but no deeper. Endless Summer hydrangeas prefer loamy, well-draining soil. You can mix compost in with your existing soil, aiming for a 50/50 mix. Especially in clay soil, this addition of compost, or organic matter, helps to create air pockets that will improve drainage. Add in some of your amended soil into the hole and sprinkle in a starter fertilizer. Place your plant in the hole, making sure that the base of the main stem (or crown) of the plant is even with the ground level. Backfill the hole with well-draining soil, and press down firmly all around the base of the plant. Water deeply. Let the water drain completely, and then water again. For gardeners in colder climates, plant your hydrangea where it can be sheltered and protected during the winter months. Morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal for Pop Star hydrangeas.
How should I water my Pop Star Hydrangea shrubs?
Hydrangeas are a little particular when it comes to their moisture needs. After planting, monitor your hydrangea plants regularly. Depending on your area's rainfall, you may need to water your hydrangea every day or as little as once a week. Pay very close attention to your hydrangeas in the heat of summer. A way to determine when to water is to test the soil with your finger to a depth of about two inches. If the soil is dry, it needs to be watered. If hydrangea leaves are drooping, it is time to water. Water the ground underneath the entire width of the stems. Avoid watering on top of the leaves, which can weaken the plant and make it vulnerable to fungus. Hydrangeas that are in wet, boggy conditions do not thrive.
How do I fertilize an Endless Summer Pop Star Hydrangea shrub?
Pop Star Endless Summer Hydrangeas can use a single application of fertilizer in the spring or early summer. To encourage blooms, use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus such as Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster. Follow instructions on the packaging. Avoid over-fertilizing because this can burn the root system and disrupt hydrangeas from blooming.
How should I mulch around my Pop Star Hydrangea?
The use of mulch can help with moisture retention, moderate soil temperature and provide a clean look in the landscape. When you choose natural mulches, like pine needles or ground hardwood, you also improve your soil by adding organic matter as it breaks down. After planting, add a light layer of wood chips or cypress mulch, about 2 inches deep, around the plant. Be sure to leave a small gap all the way around the stem in the middle of the plant. Mulching too deeply can lead to excess moisture and root rot. And piling mulch directly against the plant stem can lead to insect and disease problems. In autumn, you can tuck fallen oak leaves or more pine needles around the plant for winter protection.