Do you want to add some stunning beauty and elegance to your landscape? Hydrangeas are the perfect solution! With their captivating blooms in assorted colors, shapes, and sizes, these hardy perennials can enliven any garden or yard.
These seven hydrangeas will bring life and color to your outdoor space. From larger varieties that work great on walkways to container options for small spaces, get ready to explore the world of hydrangeas as you dive into each type’s requirements for optimal growth!
Panicle Hydrangeas
Known for their oval leaves and upright stems, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) have conical, pointed flower clusters. Learn about three gorgeous cultivars.
Rehny
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Planting 'Rehny' hydrangeas will bring beauty and color into your backyard. This shrub, also known as Vanilla Strawberry™, produces gorgeous white flowers that slowly mature to shades of pinkish red from summer through fall.
This hydrangea does best when grown in organically rich, medium moisture soils with good drainage in either full sun or part shade.
It also thrives in urban conditions and is winter-hardy. Whether you use it as a hedge, border planting, or accent piece, 'Rehny' hydrangea is a great way to bring vibrant hues and a touch of sophistication to your outdoor space.
Little Lime
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This charming shrub is the perfect addition to gardens zone 8B and below. Its unique shape and size create a beautiful statement in any landscape, and its delicate pastel shades bring life and color to your outdoor space. This versatile hydrangea can tolerate full sun and partial shade, making it the ideal choice for even the most challenging garden spots.
Little Lime® hydrangea requires moist soil for optimal growth. It has a pH preference of 6.6 to 7.3 and can reach heights of 3 to 5 feet tall when mature. It blooms on new wood, and its flowers emerge lime green before aging to pink.
Plant these hydrangeas in the ground or containers, but they need excellent drainage when placed in a pot. Plant it in a 3-gallon or larger container and watch Little Lime® bloom from late spring through fall!
Bulk
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'Bulk,' sometimes sold as Quick Fire®, is an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of vibrancy and color to their outdoor space. This hardy shrub has clusters of beautiful white flowers that mature into pink blooms that grow from June to August, creating an eye-catching show in your garden.
As an added bonus, 'Bulk' tolerates urban conditions very well and requires minimal maintenance. Plant it in organically rich soil with medium moisture levels and full sun or part shade and prune as needed in late winter or early spring.
Big Leaf Hydrangeas
Big leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are famous for their large clusters of flowers paired with big, green leaves. These cultivars make excellent editions to your garden.
Dancing Snow
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Perfect for creating a romantic backdrop in your outdoor area, 'Dancing Snow' (also known as Wedding Gown™ ) produces clusters of white blooms that stand out against its glossy green foliage.
To ensure that your plants remain healthy and keep producing those gorgeous blooms each year, plant them in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade or full sun (if the soil stays consistently moist).
Light pruning after flowering will help to maintain shape and encourage profuse growth. It's also important to mulch the plants with 3 inches of shredded bark for added protection from cold winter temperatures.
However, if you live in an area with an extremely harsh winter, you'll need to take preventative measures to ensure the blooms survive. Chicken wire fitted with burlap, filled with leaves or straw around each plant will protect it from extreme temperatures, and icy conditions may help. But despite these efforts, some years may still bring poor flowering because of late frosts.
L.A. Dreamin’
L.A. Dreamin’® hydrangea is the perfect choice for gardeners looking to bring instant color and cheer to their yards. Whether you’re seeking a bright pop of pink, blue, or purple, its open bloom has something for everyone.
This stunning classic hydrangea fares best in some afternoon shade and morning sun with moist, well-drained soil.
Nikko Blue
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In acidic soil, the 'Nikko Blue' hydrangea has a stunning display of blue flowers. If planted in alkaline soil, the blooms are pink. It thrives best when grown in rich, well-drained soils. It enjoys part shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil remains moist.
With little pruning required and winter hardiness to USDA Zone 6 (or 5 with added protection), the 'Nikko Blue' is the perfect fit for those looking for hassle-free beauty without compromising on quality results.
Hydrangea Serrata
Though Hydrangea serrata resemble big leaf hydrangeas, they are smaller, making them ideal for more compact garden spaces.
Tiny Tuff Stuff
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Officially known as 'SMNHSDD,' Tiny Tuff Stuff™ has a compact size and long-lasting blooms and is sure to add personality to your outdoor space.
It flourishes best in part shade or full sun when grown in moist soil, making it an ideal choice for sunnier climates. The color of the flowers ranges from bluish hues to pinkish lilac colors depending on the acidity of the soil, adding interest and texture to your garden. This stunning hydrangea blooms from June through August.
Pruning after flowering will help keep Tiny Tuff Stuff™ looking its best. For those who live in USDA Zone 6 or higher, you're in luck! Tiny Tuff Stuff™ is winter hardy.
But if you live in USDA Zone 5, it may need additional protection such as mulch and burlap wrap. It also may experience some setbacks during harsh winters. It can either lose flower buds or die back to the ground, affecting the bloom for that year.
Bloom, Bloom, Bloom!
Hydrangeas make a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape with their showy blooms and rich foliage. From Vanilla Strawberry to Nikko Blue, there are many varieties of hydrangea to choose from that will thrive in your outdoor space!
With proper care, these seven types of hydrangeas will bring years of enjoyment as you watch them grow and change color throughout the seasons. So why not pick one today and enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas in your own backyard?
Have you had success with growing hydrangeas? Leave a comment below and share your tips with other green thumbs.