Hydrangeas are one of the more impressive shrubs that can be fit into any landscape with their variety diversity. This can be a feature in your garden, a hedge, or filler shrub depending on what you need.
Hydrangea Classifications & Varieties:
Hydrangea macrophylla- Bigleaf Hydrangea:
Description & Basic Info:
These are sometimes also called Florist Hydrangeas since these are the stunning blooms you see in flower arrangements.
The leaves are a thick, vibrant green with a slightly toothed edge.
The flower heads are all a rounded shape and typically range from purple, blue, pink or a mixture.
The acidity in your soil influences flower color so conducting a soil test may be helpful! The blue flowers form in acidic soil and pink flowers form in alkaline soil.
These tend to be a little sensitive to their environment so protection may be needed in winter and supplemental moisture during dry periods.
Macrophylla Varieties:
Hydrangea macrophylla- Mophead Hydrangeas
With large rounded flower heads that usually are a blue, purple or pink.
BloomStruck® Reblooming Hydrangea
Endless Summer® Reblooming Hydrangea
Blushing Bride Reblooming Hydrangea
Summer Crush® Reblooming Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla Everlasting® Revolution
Glowing Embers Hydrangea
Let's Dance® Blue Jangles® Reblooming hydrangea
Let's Dance® Rave® Reblooming hydrangea
Seaside Serenade® Newport Hydrangea
Seaside Serenade® Fire Island Hydrangea
Seaside Serenade® Kitty Hawk Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla normalis- Lacecap Hydrangeas
Same as Mophead except for flower bud shape and size. There are tiny buds in the center of the flower head and large flowers mixed in.
Pop Star® Reblooming Hydrangea
Twist-N-Shout® Reblooming Hydrangea
Light-O-Day® Hydrangea
Blue Billow Hydrangea
Let's Dance® Starlight Bigleaf Hydrangea
Seaside Serenade® Crystal Cove Hydrangea
Double Delights™ Wedding Gown Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla Serrata- Mountain Hydrangeas
This is a mix of the Lacecap and Mophead but known to be very hardy for cooler climates.
Tuff Stuff™ Mountain Hydrangea
Tiny Tuff Stuff™ Mountain Hydrangea
Tuff Stuff™ Top Fun Mountain Hydrangea
Tuff Stuff™ Red Mountain Hydrangea
Sun Requirements:
In hardiness zone 4-5, it is best to place this in full sun throughout the morning with partial or dappled light in the afternoon. If you are in a higher zone, it is best to keep this shrub in consistent partial shade or dappled light.
Water Requirements:
The farther south this Hydrangea is planted, the more supplemental water may be needed. Even though the normal rule in landscapes is shrubs need little to know extra watering after the first year, this shrub can be an exception. It will tell you by the leaves drooping dramatically when it needs more water.
Fertilizer Requirements:
These hydrangeas do best with spring and early summer fertilization that is focused on blooms. Finding a fertilizer with a high Phosphorus number is best (see more fertilizer info at the bottom of the blog to help explain).
Pruning & Trimming:
There isn't much pruning needed for these Hydrangeas. Since the blooms are on old wood, you don't want to trim back too far just in case you trim of upcoming flowers. It is best to trim spent flowers as needed or for shaping in the summer.
Hydrangea paniculata- Panicle hydrangeas:
Description & Basic Info:
Panicle Hydrangeas are a very hardy, conical-shaped blooming shrub that is very reliable.
Unlike the Bigleaf Hydrangeas, these are not sensitive to its environment and, in my experience, have little to no major issues once planted.
The foliage is a darker green, thinner leaf with a slightly toothed edge.
The flowers span between white, green, and pink, or shades of each of those colors.
You can also find these in a grafted tree form providing more endless landscape design options!
Panicle Hydrangeas Varieties:
Pinky Winky Hydrangea
Pee Gee Hydrangea
Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea
Limelight Hydrangea
Fire Light Hydrangea
Strawberry Shake Hydrangea
Quick Fire Hydrangea
Angel's Blush® Hydrangea
Quick Fire Fab Hydrangea
Little Quick Fire Hydrangea
Little Lime Hydrangea
Little Lime Punch Hydrangea
Bobo Hydrangea
Tiny Quick Fire Hydrangea
Sun Requirements:
The more sun, you can give them the better! Since these are pretty hardy and reliable, you can place them in part shade and they will still be successful as well.
Water Requirements:
Since this plant is hardy and reliable, they follow the typical shrub watering instructions! They like average moisture but can be drought tolerance once established. It is best to water heavier and less frequently than less water and more often. For the first full season, you will need to keep up with watering. Plants in the first establishing year need 2 inches of water a week. This could be provided by rainfall but if it isn't, a deep soak around out once every 5-7 days in enough water. In the second and third year, you may need to provide supplemented water if there is a drought but they shouldn't need much more help.
Fertilizer Requirements:
Fertilizing these hydrangeas isn't has necessary based on their reliability. Overfertilizing could cause weak stems which could cause the flower heads to droop. These do consistently bloom but if you want to make sure they do, you can use a phosphorus focused fertilizer. If you wanted to focus on the foliage you could try a nitrogen based fertilizer (more info below).
Pruning & Trimming:
Since these blooms for a new wood, it is best to prune it in late fall, winter or early spring.
Hydrangea arborescens- Smooth Hydrangeas:
Description & Basic Info:
These are often referred to as "wild hydrangeas since this variety is native to the United States!
The leaves on these shrubs are typically much thinner than varieties but are also heart shaped with a slightly toothed edge.
These are most known for their gigantic, round flower heads that make the most impressive shrub hedge.
Because of the flower weight, the older varieties are known to droop from the weight but newer cultivars have been breed with stronger stems.
Usually you can find these in white, green, and pink, or shades of each of those colors.
Smooth Hydrangea Varieties:
Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea
Incrediball® Smooth Hydrangea
Incrediball® Blush Smooth Hydrangea
Invincibelle Spirit® II Smooth Hydrangea
Invincibelle® Ruby Smooth Hydrangea
Invincibelle Sublime™ Smooth Hydrangea
Invincibelle Mini Mauvette® Smooth Hydrangea
Invincibelle Wee White® Smooth Hydrangea
Seaside Serenade® Bar Harbor Hydrangea
Sun Requirements:
These do their best in part sun but can tolerate full sun with consistent moisture.
Water Requirements:
These can be well established into their second year needing very little moisture but if planted in full sun, you may notice drooping similar to the macrophylla.
Fertilizer Requirements:
Fertilizing these hydrangeas isn't has necessary based on their reliability. Overfertilizing could cause weak stems which could cause the flower heads to droop. These do consistently bloom but if you want to make sure they do, you can use a phosphorus focused fertilizer. If you wanted to focus on the foliage you could try a nitrogen based fertilizer (more info below).
Pruning & Trimming:
Since these blooms for a new wood, it is best to prune it in late fall, winter or early spring.
Hydrangea quercifolia- Oakleaf Hydrangeas:
Description & Basic Info:
Oakleafs have stunning blooms similar to the Panicle Hydrangea
They also have a very unique leaf that cannot be ignored! As the name says, the foliage leaves are shaped just like a Red Oak.
This is also the only Hydrangea where the foliage turns a beautiful red or orange in the fall.
Oakleaf Hydrangea Varieties:
Alice Oakleaf
Snow Queen Oakleaf
Ruby Slippers Oakleaf
Gatsby Gal Oakleaf
Sun Requirements:
In lower hardiness zone (4-5), it is best to place this in full sun throughout the morning with partial or dappled light in the afternoon. If you are in a higher zone, it is best to keep this shrub in consistent partial shade or dappled light.
Water Requirements:
Since this plant is hardy and reliable, they follow the typical shrub watering instructions! They like average moisture but can be drought tolerance once established. It is best to water heavier and less frequently than less water and more often. For the first full season, you will need to keep up with watering. Plants in the first establishing year need 2 inches of water a week. This could be provided by rainfall but if it isn't, a deep soak around out once every 5-7 days in enough water. In the second and third year, you may need to provide supplemented water if there is a drought but they shouldn't need much more help.
Fertilizer Requirements:
The blooms can be pretty reliable so many sources suggest using a fertilizer that is focused on trees and shrubs. This could mean higher nitrogen fertilizers or balanced fertilizers.
Pruning & Trimming:
Since the blooms are on old wood, you don't want to trim back too far just in case you trim of upcoming flowers. It is best to trim spent flowers as needed or for shaping in the summer.
Hydrangea petiolaris- Climbing Hydrangeas:
Description & Basic Info:
The Climbing Hydrangea is the only varieties that can attach its stem to almost surface it is given and climb in every direction.
These are known to be a full coverage climbing shrub that can be aggressive.
The thick, green foliage is stunning in itself but it also blooms in early summer, with a Laceleaf- looking flower all over the vines.
Sun Requirements:
These do best in partial shade but can still do well in mostly shaded areas. In cooler climates, they can tolerate more sunlight.
Water Requirements:
Since this plant is hardy and reliable, they follow the typical shrub watering instructions! They like average moisture but can be drought tolerance once established. It is best to water heavier and less frequently than less water and more often. For the first full season, you will need to keep up with watering. Plants in the first establishing year need 2 inches of water a week. This could be provided by rainfall but if it isn't, a deep soak around out once every 5-7 days in enough water. In the second and third year, you may need to provide supplemented water if there is a drought but they shouldn't need much more help.
Fertilizer Requirements:
It is best to fertilize these in early spring and summer before it blooms. Since the vines are pretty aggressive usually the blooms may need an extra boost with a phosphorus focused fertilizer.
Pruning & Trimming:
For the first few years, you may not need to trim is because they start out a bit slower. Once this vine picks up speed, you can trim it as much as you need to but I would recommend waiting until after it blooms in summer.
Other Facts:
All part of the Hydrangeaceae
Other plants in the this family are Deutzia and Mock Orange
Native to Asia and Americas
Cut Flower- perfect, colorful additions in your home!
Attracts Pollinators
For more Landscape information, check out the following podcasts and blog
These are toxic to pets and people! If you are interested in learning about more pet friendly plants, check out Podcast Ep#31 for more info or the corresponding blog post!
Extra Fertilizer Details:
On fertilizers, you can find the NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) measurement to determine if you are purchasing the correct one you need! The measurement will be a combination of numbers like 10-10-10. If the first number is the largest (example: 10-30-10) that is a indication it is a high in phosphorus.
Instagram Q&A:
I always ask followers if they had any specific questions, opinions or hot-takes I can address in this podcast and blog. Here are what people told me and and my answers for this topic:
"Any that bloom twice per year?"
Many of the Endless Summer series (type of macrophylla) bloom multiple times! The bloom time on panicle hydrangeas is crazy long as well!
"Which hydrangea thrive in the Midwest?"
All hydrangeas so pretty well in the Midwest! Some hydrangeas are only hardy up to zone 5 so these can restrict you to some varieties so make sure to check their hardiness zones before you buy!
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Love, Holly (Owner & Creator of Houseplant Homebody LLC)
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