Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer Summer Crush' Height: 3 feet Spread: 3 feet Sunlight: Hardiness Zone: 4a Other Names: French Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea Group/Class: Endless Summer Series Brand: Bailey Nurseries This spectacular summer-bloomer is very hardy, and produces large, intensely colored raspberry red or neon purple globe-shaped flowers; a compact growing selection with dark green glossy leaves Blooms from early summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has forest green foliage throughout the season. The glossy pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Summer Crush® Hydrangea is recommended for the following landscape applications; Accent Mass Planting Hedges/Screening General Garden Use Container Planting This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.