When the warm weather returns and the world begins waking up, it’s time to hit the garden center to find those Endless Summer® Hydrangeas you’ve been dreaming about all year. We know there are many things to keep track of during this time of year, and not everyone can spend time perusing garden centers for fun. So, we thought we would make your shopping experience easier with this hydrangea buying guide!
Like many things in life, it’s nice to do a little planning ahead of time. But really, the planning is more understanding and knowing the basics.
Your Zone: Do you know your Hardiness Zone? Each ZIP Code has a specific Hardiness Zone that tells you which plants will thrive in your area. To get your Zone, enter your ZIP Code at the USDA Hardiness Zone website or head to our Hardiness Zone map. For your knowledge, The Original, SummerCrush®, BloomStruck®, and Twist-n-Shout® Hydrangeas are all rated for Zones 4-9. Blushing Bride Hydrangea is rated for Zones 5-9.
Characteristics of the Space: Where you’re looking to plant your new hydrangeas in your landscape is another important basic. Make sure you know the amount of sun vs. the amount of shade the area receives, the makeup of the soil, the dimensions of the space, and any other important factors of the space. Then, when browsing both online and in-person at a garden center, compare those characteristics to the tag on the plant to know if it will be a good fit.
Timing: Picking out plants is one thing, but the timing of when to plant is another. To make sure you’re not buying plants too early in the season, check out our article on Frost Dates. There you will find the average first and last frost for your state so you can have a better idea of when the ground will be ready for spring planting. Once you have your hydrangeas in hand, review our Planting & Care Guide for help on the next steps!
Depending on what type of person and what type of gardener you are, picking which plants you end up purchasing can look very different. Maybe you thrive with in-the-moment decisions, or perhaps you prefer to have your plant list decided months ahead of time. Do whatever works for you, but if you’re new to gardening with hydrangeas or want to ensure your new garden is cohesive, setting aside some time to write down your thoughts is not a bad idea. In all honesty, this can sometimes be your most powerful tool when it’s time to buy some plants. Think about what you want your garden to look like this year. Do your foundation plantings need to be updated with a gorgeous hydrangea hedge? How about that little space in the garden? Does it need some pop of color? When you start thinking about it, you might not be able to stop! So, do yourself a favor and write down what you’re thinking before you find yourself standing in the middle of a garden center.
Ready to start shopping? If you’re more of an in-person shopper, use our Find a Retailer tool to locate the closest garden center where you can find Endless Summer® Hydrangeas. Feel free to call that garden center ahead of time to check when they’re due to get in the specific hydrangea you’re looking for so you know when to make the trip. Then, when you’re there, just make sure you keep your eye out for the blue pot!
If you love shopping from the comfort of your home, go to the same Find a Retailer page and scroll down for a list of online retailers where you can find Endless Summer® Hydrangeas.
You can also buy directly from us at EndlessSummerBlooms.com! When looking through our collection, look for the blue “Buy Online” tab up on the left-hand corner of the plant image. When you see that tab, it means you can purchase that hydrangea right from our website.
When you buy from us, make sure you pick the best option for you in the dropdown below the plant image. Here’s a breakdown of the different hydrangea options you might come across on our site:
#1, #2, and #3 Containers
These container plants are what you’re used to seeing at garden centers. We offer #1, #2, and #3 Containers. A #1 Container is a plant that is generally 1.5-3 years old and is potted in a 1.0-gallon pot (3.8L). A #2 Container is 2-4 years old and potted in a 2.0-gallon pot (7.51L). And a #3 Container is generally 2-3 years old and potted in a 3-gallon pot (11.34L). When ordered after April, these plants will generally already be showing leaves and maybe even blooms! However, it’s important to keep in mind that the stage of growth depends on the time of year it’s shipped. So, if you order one early in the season, they may be shipped dormant.
