this Summer Crush Hydrangea wilts everyday

Question: We planted three of these Hydrangea in a group and his will be the second full summer they've been in place. Last summer all three wilted everyday. Yesterday, the first 90 degree day of this year, they wilted. They are in full sun and in an enclosed courtyard with walls on three sides. I think I should move them to an area with less sun. Please let me know your thoughts and also please suggest some alternate flowering plants. Are there any plants that will flower in winter? 

Thank you

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 06, 2023, 8:51 AM EDT
response: Unfortunately, your photo isn't showing for me (I get a message indicating the file is corrupted), but based on your description, yes, it sounds like your hydrangea is in a location where it gets too much direct sun and reflected heat from the surrounding walls. Bigleaf hydrangeas, including Summer Crush, grow better in part shade in our climate.   For other flowering plant recommendations: Can you tell us more about the available space you have? Is there a mature plant size you have in mind, are deer an issue for you, and what is your soil moisture like?  If you can provide more information on the site conditions and a photo of the site, that would help us make recommendations for you.  Christa

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 07, 2023, 8:54 AM EDT
response: I’ve attached three photos. The first shows our front door area.  In the second photo you will see I’ve already removed one Hydrangea and replaced it with the yellow Spirea. The third photo shows the Peonne is doing well and the remaining two Hydrangea are on either side of it.Please offer your suggestion of what plant to use to replace the two remaining Hydrangeas. By the way, is it necessary to trim of the new growth at the bottom of the Crepe MyrtleThank youOn Jun 6, 2023, at 8:51 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 08, 2023, 11:38 AM EDT
response: Hi,  What a cute dog and beautiful garden space!  You can trim out the suckers at the bottom of the Crapemyrtle. Some species get those repeatedly through the season.  As for replacements, you could try a number of smaller shrubs. Assuming that deer don't come up this far if you seem to have a problem with them. Maybe a smaller -dwarf species of Hydrangea paniculata would perform better there, if it is hot and with dryer soils. Itea virginiana 'Little Henry' is a native plant that blooms in the early summer and has nice fall color and stays relatively compact. There are even some smaller cultivars of Blueberry that could work (if the soil is pH is appropriate - you can test for soil nutrients and pH levels by sending in a soil sample to a laboratory) and you could have a multi-purpose plant: flowers, berries, and fall color. Maybe a dwarf Clethra species could work for you. It would have fragrant flowers in the summer, but may need some irrigation in high heat or drought conditions. There are dwarf species of red-twigged Dogwood which could add structure and green in the summer and have showy red-twigs in winter. There are also dwarf species of Winterberry holly that could be really attractive with red-berries for winter interest. (Keep in mind you need both female plants for the berries and a male plant nearby as a pollinator - it can be tucked around a corner out of sight though.) For winter blooming plants, there are a few that come to mind:  Hellebores aka Lenten Rose is a semi-evergreen non-native perennial that bloom in late February or Early to Mid march. There are a number of species available but they all tend to do a little better with some afternoon shade or tucked under trees to get some shade in the summer. Forsythia, while not native but also not seemingly invasive at this point, blooms in very early spring or late winter. There are some dwarf cultivars available now too.  Witch Hazel is a native shrub species that blooms sometime between October to December, but it can get rather large, 15-20 feet. It is a really neat plant though! Maybe a future replacement for the Crapemyrtle (a non-native that has succumbed to aphids and scale issues in our region recently that we are attributing to changing climate - the pests have been more prone to Southern states until recently- and overplanting.) Winter Hazel and Wintersweet (similar to witch hazel) but not native. Winter Jasmine is a late winter blooming plant as well. You may need a support for it so it doesn't get messy. Also not native. Maybe you could incorporate some early season bulbs this fall for next spring blooms: like Crocus, Winter Aconite (Eranthis), Chionodoxa, Squill (Scilla), and Snowdrops (Galanthus).  You may also want to consider some additional interesting dwarf conifer plants: 'Blue Star' Juniper, 'Mother Lode' or 'All Gold' creeping junipers, maybe a dwarf Cryptomeria which would give you some more structure and color in the winter.  Hopefully this helps with some additional ideas!  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 10, 2023, 7:44 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your detailed reply.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 10, 2023, 11:56 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.