Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty'

The nectar-rich flowers of 'All Summer Beauty' attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The dense shrub also provides shelter for small wildlife, making it an excellent choice for pollinator and wildlife-friendly gardens.

'All Summer Beauty' is a deciduous shrub, providing vibrant blooms from early summer to fall. Its foliage remains lush and green during the growing season and drops in late fall as the plant enters dormancy for the winter.

💐 Cut Flower Gardens

• Long-lasting, full mophead blooms are excellent for fresh arrangements or drying.
  
• Reblooming habit ensures multiple harvests throughout the season.
  

🏡 Foundation and Front-of-Border Plantings

• Compact size (typically 3–4 ft tall and wide) makes it perfect near patios, walkways, and entryways where you can enjoy its blooms up close.
  

🎨 Accent or Specimen Shrub

• Its lush green foliage and colorful blooms make it an attractive stand-alone focal point in smaller garden beds.
  

🌳 Mixed Shade Borders

• Performs well in morning sun and afternoon shade, making it a good choice for lightly shaded mixed borders.
  

🪴 Container Gardening (in mild climates or with winter protection)

• Can be grown in large pots with consistent watering and some shelter from intense afternoon sun.
  
  

The foliage of Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty' consists of broad, dark green, serrated leaves that form a dense, rounded shrub. The leaves provide a lush backdrop to the vibrant blooms, adding texture and structure to garden beds and borders. The foliage stays attractive throughout the growing season, creating a beautiful contrast to the flowers.

• Flowering Season : This hydrangea is a reblooming variety, meaning it flowers from early summer through fall. The blooms can last from June to September, ensuring continuous color in your garden for several months.
• Flower Description : The flowers of 'All Summer Beauty' are classic mophead-style blooms that are either vivid blue or pink, depending on the soil pH. In acidic soils, the flowers tend to be a rich blue, while in alkaline soils, they will take on a bright pink hue. The blooms are large, reaching up to 6 inches in diameter, and are made up of many small, individual flowers that create a full, rounded appearance.

• When to Plant: Plant in early spring or fall, giving the hydrangea time to establish its roots before the heat of summer or the cold of winter.
• How to Plant: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant the shrub at the same depth as it was in the container. Space plants about 3-5 feet apart to allow for mature growth.

Pruning is minimal for 'All Summer Beauty'. Since it blooms on both old and new wood, you can lightly prune in early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches and encourage fresh growth. Deadheading spent flowers throughout the season will keep the plant looking tidy and may encourage additional blooms.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty' prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil evenly moist. This hydrangea benefits from deep watering at the base, rather than overhead watering, to prevent leaf and flower damage. Avoid waterlogged conditions, as they can lead to root rot.

This hydrangea thrives in partial shade, though it can tolerate some morning sun. It performs best in locations that receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, can cause the leaves to scorch and the flowers to wilt.

The large, colorful blooms of 'All Summer Beauty' are perfect for fresh floral arrangements. Harvest the blooms when they are fully open and place them in water immediately. The flowers can also be dried for use in dried flower displays and wreaths, retaining their beauty for months.

Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or apply compost to promote healthy growth and abundant blooming. If your soil is alkaline and you prefer blue flowers, you can add soil acidifiers like aluminum sulfate to encourage the blue hue. Fertilize again lightly after the first bloom cycle to support continuous flowering.

• Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Soil: This hydrangea prefers rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-6.5). Soil pH can influence flower color, with acidic soils producing blue flowers and alkaline soils resulting in pink blooms.
• Disease Resistance: 'All Summer Beauty' is generally resistant to most pests and diseases, though good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent any fungal issues.

The flowers of 'All Summer Beauty' are pollinated by bees and other beneficial insects. The plant is self-fertile, meaning it does not require cross-pollination to produce flowers, but pollinators can enhance garden biodiversity.

Hydrangea 'All Summer Beauty' thrives in part sun to part shade and moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils. Ideal companions will support similar conditions and either enhance or contrast its rounded blooms.

🌿 Foliage Contrast & Ground Layer Interest

• Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ or ‘Caramel’ – richly colored foliage adds contrast beneath hydrangea blooms.
  
• Hosta – classic shade-loving plant that echoes the lush look and adds bold leaves.
  
• Ferns (e.g., Dryopteris or Athyrium) – provide texture and cool green tones.
  

🌾 Vertical & Textural Contrast

• Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) – cascading foliage softens borders and brightens shade.
  
• Astilbe – offers feathery plumes in complementary pinks or whites for a soft, romantic look.
  

🌸 Flowering Companions

• Campanula (Bellflower) – spiky blue flowers contrast well with mophead blooms.
  
• Foxglove (Digitalis) – vertical accent with pastel tones that harmonize with hydrangeas.
  
• Lungwort (Pulmonaria) – early-season interest in partial shade beds with speckled foliage.