hydrangea

Macrophylla – Paniculata – Arborescens – Quercifolia – Petiolaris – Serrata

There are many choices and varieties of these popular shrubs (see below). They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. They are best planted in early spring or fall to ensure their shallow root system has enough time to establish. Hydrangeas should be planted in a good, well-drained soil. Ensure they always have plenty of water to drink especially during the scorching hot summer days.

Average height: 3′ – 8′

Width: 4′ – 6′

Watering and soil: Moist, well drained.

Exposure: Full sun to part shade.

Varieties: Annabelle, Bobo, Endless Summer, Fire Lite, Incrediball, Quick Fire, Little Lime, Moonrock, Strawberry Sundae, Zinfin Doll, Blue Jangles Let’s Dance, Paris Rapa, Invincibelle Wee White, L. A. Dreamin’, Big Band Let’s Dance, Can Do Let’s Dance, Rave Let’s Dance.

Image: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Name

Arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Arborescens Incrediball

Arborescens Incrediball Blush

Arboresecns Invincibelle Limetta

Arborescens Invincibelle Ruby

Arborescens Invincibelle Spirit II

Arborescens Invincibelle Wee White

Macrophylla Endless Summer Bloomstruck

Macrophylla Endless Summer Blushing Bride

Macrophylla Endless Summer Summer Crush

Macrophylla Endless Summer The Original

Macrophylla Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout

Macrophylla Let’s Dance Big Easy

Macrophylla Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue

Paniculata Bobo

Paniculata Fire Light

Paniculata Fire Light Tidbit

Paniculata Flare

Paniculata Limelight

Paniculata Limelight Prime

Paniculata Little Lime

Paniculata Little Lime Punch

Paniculata Little Quick Fire

Paniculata Pinky Winky

Paniculata Quick Fire Fab

Paniculata Quick Fire

Paniculata Strawberry Sundae

Paniculata Vanilla Strawberry

Paniculata Zinfin Doll

Quercifolia ‘Alice’

Quercifolia ‘Gatsby Gal’

Quercifolia ‘Munchkin’

Quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’

Color

White

Pink

Green

Red

Pink

White

Pink

White

Pink

White

Pink

Green

Pink

White

Bloom

Jul – Sep

Jun – Sep

Jul – Sep

Jun – Sep

Jul – Aug

Jun – Sep

Jun – Aug

Jul – Sep

Jun – Aug

Jun – Sep

Jun – Aug

Jul – Oct

Jun – Oct

Jul – Oct

Jun – Oct

Jul – Sep

Jun – Sep

Jun – Oct

Jun – Sep

Jun – Aug

Jun – Jul

Height

3′ – 4′

4′ – 6′

2′ – 3′

3′ – 4′

18″ – 24″

3′ – 4′

2′ – 3′

3′ – 4′

2′ – 3′

4′ – 6′

2′ – 3′

6′ – 8′

4′ – 6′

3′ – 4′

4′ – 6′

3′ – 4′

6′ – 8′

3′ – 4′

6′ – 8′

4′ – 6′

2′ – 3′

Width

4′ – 6′

2′ – 3′

3′ – 4′

18″ – 24″

4′ – 6′

3′ – 4′

2′ – 3′

3′ – 4′

2′ – 3′

3′ – 4′

4′ – 6′

2′ – 3′

6′ – 8′

4′ – 6′

3′ – 4′

4′ – 6′

3′ – 4′

6′ – 8′

4′ – 6′

3′ – 4′

6′ – 8′

4′ – 6′

3′ – 4′

Blooms on Old/New Wood *

New

Old and new

New

Old

Six Main Hydrangea Types

There are six main hydrangea types: macrophylla, paniculata, arborescens, quercifolia, petiolaris and serrata.

Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea)

This hydrangea is the most common. This large leaf hydrangea variety will bloom on old and new wood. One of the most popular are the Endless Summer varieties – Endless Summer is in reference to an early season and late season bloom. The colors of the blooms are usually blue or pink depending on soil alkalinity. If you want blue blooms, you would need to add an acidic supplement like aluminum sulphate to your soil. Pink blooms are indicative of a more alkaline soil.

These will be happy with some afternoon shade protected from the harsh summer sun.

Macrophylla can be broken down into three sub categories:

Mophead – the large rounded blooms which are really colorful sepals, are sterile.

Lacecap – these are identical to mopheads except for the center which consists of tiny fertile flowers. The large sepals (“flowers”) around the edge are sterile.

Hydrangea paniculata (panicle hydrangea)

Paniculata have smaller, thinner, finely toothed leaves, and are extremely hardy – easily surviving zone 3 conditions. Their large cone-shaped flower heads are unmistakable. The colors range from green, to a combination of pastel whites and reds which change through the growing season.

These hydrangeas can be grown as small trees from a strong developed central stem.

Hydrangea arborescens (smooth hydrangea)

These are sometimes called wild hydrangeas and are native to the United States. The matte leaves are generally heart shaped and we often see these planted as hedges due to their suitable size. Annabelle and Incrediball are two popular varieties.

The large round, white sterile flowers are unmistakable; growing so large that often they need staking.

Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea)

Their large oak shaped leaf makes these easy to identify by their common name. These beautiful hydrangeas change color in the fall. Expect to see hues of orange to red leaves. They tolerate some light shade and will do best in sunny conditions. Typically their flowers are like the lacecap.

Hydrangea petiolaris (climbing hydrangea)

These hydrangeas are vines and are native to Asia. They are slow growers and look beautiful climbing up structures – well worth the wait! They can eventually grow to 30 feet and more.

Hydrangea serrata (mountain hydrangea)

Mountain hydrangeas are similar to bigleaf hydrangeas, but they are smaller and have more delicate flowers. They are also more cold-hardy than bigleaf hydrangeas.