HYDRANGEAS COME
IN MANY FLAVORS
Choose the one that's right for your garden
Hydrangeas are to summer as lilacs are to spring. This genus
starts flowering in June and won’t stop until frost.
With the shortage of good all-summer plants, hydrangeas deserve
a spot in everyone’s garden. Whites, pinks, and reds
are represented along with the expected blue, and there are
plenty of different forms available.
Big leaf hydrangea (the blue one) was introduced
to the West in 1739 when Sir Joseph Banks brought it back
from China. The climbing form is the other Asian contribution
to the genus, and was introduced in the mid-1800’s.
The rest of the group are American Natives, and well adapted
to U.S. gardens. Let’s review the species.
 Hydrangea
anomala (subsp) petiolaris
Hydrangea anomala (subsp) petiolaris can climb trees
to 80’ in the wild, and will cover anything that will
stand still. This white flowered plant blooms in June into
July for about 2 weeks, but the vine itself is so showy that
it makes a great winter plant . Zone 4 to zone 7.
H. arborescens
H. arborescens is native from New York to Oklahoma.
3’ to 4’ tall and wide, the white blooms appearing
in mid-June. ‘Annabelle’ is the top shelf
cultivar, for its’ more prolific, larger blooms. Zone
3 to zone 9.
H. macrophylla
H. macrophylla is what most people mean when they
say hydrangea. Height and width vary with cultivar and condition
but 3’ to 6’ is the norm. The species splits into
two groups based on flower habit.
The Hortensias have rounded flowers and the Lacecaps have
flat ones; both bloom in July through August. Let’s
look at a few.
First, the Hortensias
‘All Summer Beauty’
- 3’ to 4’. Variably pink to blue. Blooms on new
growth.
‘Domotoi’ – Large,
doubled flowers on a 3’ plant.
‘Forever Pink’ –
Early; pink flowers appear late June on
a 3’ plant.
‘Glowing Embers’ –
Starts pink, but sets redder, as will the foliage
6’ x 6’ plant.
‘Lemon Wave’ –
Wildly variegated foliage, flowers infrequently 4’ x
5’ plant
‘Nikko Blue’ –
The standard pink to blue flowers on a 6’ x 6’
plant
‘Pia’ – A cute
miniature covers itself with pink flowers 18” x 18”
plant
‘Pink Beauty’ –
Smaller pink flower on a quick growing 5’ x 5’
bush
‘Endless Summer hydrangea’ New
to the industry, this one is being touted as Zone 4 hardy!
Blue flower on a 6’x 6’shrub
Now the Lacecaps
‘Blue Wave’ –
Improved ‘Mariesii’ prolific blue blooms on a
5’ x 7’ plant
‘Tokyo Delight’ –
Long blooming blue and white flower on a vigorous 8’
x 8’ shrub
‘Variegata’ –
Blue flower are upstaged by white and green foliage on a 4’
x 4’ plant.
All are zones 6 to zone 9
Hydrangea serrata
Hydrangea serrata is a close relative of macrophylla,
slightly hardier.
‘Bluebird’ is the best
cultivar with pink and blue flowers in late June. 5’
x 5’ habit. Zone 5 to zone 9
 Hydrangea
paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata is a coarser character than
it’s cousins, but the easiest to grow. Generally the
off white flowers appear in mid-July on a 15’ to 20’
plant but the cultivars often vary…
‘Grandiflora’ 10’
to 15’ shrub with the largest flowers.
‘Kyushu’ 10’
to 15’ shrub with upright flowers from July through
September.
‘Pink Diamond’ pink
flowers on a 6’ x 8’ shrub.
‘Tardiva’ deeper green
foliage and conical flowers on a 9’ x 11’ bush.
‘Unique’ a more compact
6’ to 8’ x 6’ to 8’
All are zone 4 to zone 9
Hydrangea quercifolia
Hydrangea quercifolia is another native with heavy,
dark green foliage which which gives it its’ common
name of oak-leaf hydrangea. The species runs around 7’
x 7’ but there are differences among cultivars. All
are white flowered, in late June…
‘Snowflake’ - flowers
appear doubled 6’ x 6’ habit
‘Snow Queen’ –
prolific bloom in July on a 5’ x 5’ shrub
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The Grandiflora Hydrangea,
Hydrangea paniculata, is a common American garden plant and highly
valued for its vigor and bloom dependability...
Purchase this Hydrangea at Nature Hill
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The Nikko Blue Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, has blue
blossoms on a plant with a strong constitution which make Hydrangea
macrophylla 'Nikko Blue' a beautiful addition to your garden
Purchase
Now
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The Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, is an upright,
deciduous shrub with a broad, rounded habit that typically grows
4-6' tall. Attractively priced, this plant will enhance your backyard.
Purchase
Now
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