Hydrangea Types

Botanical name:

Hydrangea macrophylla

Zones:

Most 6-9, with some varieties hardy to Zones 4-5 with winter protection

Height/Spread:

6-10 feet/6-10 feet

Exposure:

Part to full shade. Full sun only with consistently moist soil.

Color:

White, pink, blue, purple or red

Bloom time:

June to October

Pruning:

Generally needs little pruning, just tidying up. Remove dead wood as spring growth begins, being careful of flower buds.

Other:

• Sometimes called French hydrangeas, mopheads or hortensias.
• Newer varieties bloom on old and new growth, and older cultivars bloom on old wood.
• Flower color depends on soil composition (see Changing Hydrangea Color)
• Good for cut flowers.
• Two flower types: Mophead with large globe-shaped flower heads, and lacecap with flattened head of small flowers surrounded by larger flowers.
• Common selections: Endless Summer, ‘Nikko Blue’, ‘Tokyo Delight’, Pistachio

Learn more about how to grow bigleaf hydrangeas.

Botanical name:

Hydrangea arborescens

Zones:

3-9

Height/Spread:

3-5 feet/3-5 feet

Exposure:

Part shade. Full sun only in consistently moist soil.

Color:

White to pink

Bloom time:

June to September

Pruning:

Prune close to the ground every other year in late winter to keep neat and encourage new growth.

Other:

• Blooms on new growth.
• Intolerant of drought.
• May die to the ground in harsh winter.
• Native to Eastern North America
• Common selections: Incrediball, Invincibelle series, ‘Annabelle’

Learn more about how to grow smooth hydrangeas.

Botanical name:

Hydrangea paniculata

Zones:

3-8

Height/Spread:

8-15 feet/6-12 feet

Exposure:

Full sun to part shade.

Color:

White

Bloom time:

July to September

Pruning:

Prune as needed in late winter/early spring, promotes larger flower clusters.

Other:

• Blooms on new growth.
• The most winter hardy variety.
• Cone-shaped flower heads.
• Common selections: ‘Limelight’, Pinky Winky, Vanilla Strawberry, Bobo, Little Quick Fire, ‘Grandiflora’ (commonly called PeeGee)

Learn more about how to grow panicle hydrangeas.

Botanical name:

Hydrangea quercifolia

Zones:

5-9

Height/Spread:

6-8 feet/6-8 feet

Exposure:

Full sun to part shade.

Color:

White to purple/pink

Bloom time:

July to September

Pruning:

Prune after flowering as needed, cut back winter-damaged stems in early spring.

Other:

• Blooms on old wood.
• Native to the US, found in woodlands throughout the Southeast.
• Good fall color, flowers change from creamy white to dark rose and leaves to a combination of orange, yellow, red, purple, and burgundy.
• Common selections: ‘Pee Wee’, ‘Ruby Slippers’, Snowflake

Learn more about how to grow oakleaf hydrangeas.

Botanical name:

Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris

Zones:

4-8 (doesn't thrive in zone 7)

Height/Spread:

30-40 feet/5-6 feet (grown upright)

Exposure:

Part to full shade.

Color:

White

Bloom time:

May to July

Pruning:

Prune lightly after the vine is done flowering to control its height and width. Heavy pruning to rejuvenate a damaged plant should be done in late winter or early spring.

Other:

• Can cover up to 200 square feet if unsupported and grown along the ground.
• Grow against walls (brick, stone, or wood), on arbors, fences or over low walls.
• Common selection: ‘Miranda’

Botanical name:

Hydrangea serrata

Zones:

6-9

Height/Spread:

2-4 feet/2-4 feet

Exposure:

Part shade

Color:

Pink or blue

Bloom time:

June to August

Pruning:

Prune after flowering as needed, cut back winter-damaged stems in early spring.

Other:

• Blooms on old wood.
• Similar to H. macrophylla (lacecap varieties), but more compact, with smaller flowers and leaves.
• Good choice for container planting due to its size. (See more dwarf hydrangeas.)
• Common selections: ‘Blue Billow’, Tuff Stuff, ‘Bluebird’

Learn more about how to grow mountain hydrangeas.