Whether grown in containers or garden beds, few plants make as striking an impact as hydrangeas. These fast-growing deciduous shrubs are prized for their large, vibrant flower heads, and they come in a wide variety of types. From lacecap, oakleaf, and panicle to climbing, smooth, and large-leafed hydrangeas, each variety offers unique textures, flower colors, and foliage forms, enriching summer landscapes. All hydrangeas thrive best in fertile, humus-rich soil with consistent moisture. For bigleaf hydrangeas, the soil’s pH plays a significant role in determining flower color: acidic soil (pH 6.0 or lower) produces blue flowers, while neutral to alkaline soil (pH 7.0 or higher) results in pink blooms.
Although there are around 80 hydrangea species worldwide, only a few are widely cultivated as garden plants. Most hydrangea varieties available today come from these six popular species: Hydrangea arborescens (smooth hydrangea), Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea), Hydrangea paniculata (panicle hydrangea), Hydrangea anomala (climbing hydrangea), Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea), and Hydrangea serrata (mountain hydrangea).
Incrediball Hydrangea
When it comes to the Incrediball hydrangea, its name is no exaggeration. This trademarked cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens boasts enormous, densely packed 12-inch flower heads that bloom profusely, all supported by strong stems that prevent the heavy blooms from drooping. Whether you’re looking to create a standout feature in your garden or an eye-catching hedge, Incrediball hydrangeas deliver.
- Name: Incrediball hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Flower Color: White
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 4-5 ft. tall and wide
Nikko Blue Hydrangea
For the Nikko Blue hydrangea, soil pH is key in determining bloom color. For the richest blue flowers, maintain slightly acidic soil. This mophead variety starts its blooming season earlier than most hydrangeas, typically in June, and continues for about two months. However, in colder climates, the buds are prone to winter damage, so providing some protection can help ensure consistent blooming year after year.
- Name: Nikko Blue hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
- Flower Color: Blue in acidic soil, pink in alkaline soil
- Light Requirements: Partial shade
- Mature Size: 4-6 ft. tall and wide
Limelight Hydrangea
Green flowers, like the chartreuse blooms of the Limelight hydrangea, are as versatile as a little black dress—they suit any setting. As the season progresses, these flowers mellow into a soft pink. Limelight hydrangeas bloom on new wood, making them an excellent choice for colder regions. Although it’s a more compact cultivar of Hydrangea paniculata, Limelight is still a vigorous grower that can reach up to 8 feet in height. For smaller gardens, consider its compact relative, the ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea.
- Name: Limelight hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: White
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall and wide
Cityline Mars Hydrangea
Add some flair to your hydrangea collection with the Cityline Mars hydrangea, featuring unique picotee petals. This compact shrub, part of the trademarked Cityline series, is perfect for patio gardens. Like other Hydrangea macrophylla varieties, the soil’s pH influences the bloom color. After planting, Cityline Mars may display multiple colors on a single bush as it adapts to your soil’s chemistry. In the example shown, the hydrangea grows in neutral pH soil, resulting in a striking purple color that sits between blue and pink. Achieving and maintaining this narrow pH range is easier in containers than in the ground.
- Name: Cityline Mars hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla Cityline ‘Mars’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Flower Color: Blue, pink
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 1-3 ft. tall and wide
Zinfin Doll Hydrangea
The delightful strawberries-and-cream hues of the Zinfin Doll hydrangea are a showstopper that persist even in full sun while attracting butterflies all summer long. Despite being classified as a panicle hydrangea, this variety has full, mophead-like blooms that age from white to deep pink-red, remaining vibrant for months. Unlike other hydrangeas, the color shift occurs naturally as the flowers mature, without needing soil pH adjustments.
- Name: Zinfin Doll hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Zinfin Doll’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Flower Color: Pink, white, red
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 4-6 ft. tall and wide
Climbing Hydrangea
Owning a mature climbing hydrangea is like inheriting a garden treasure. Native to the Himalayas and China, this vine is slow to establish, but once it takes off, it can sprawl 40 feet or more across fences, structures, and trees. For added interest, consider the variegated climbing hydrangea ‘Miranda,’ which offers creamy yellow leaf margins along with ten-inch flower clusters.
- Name: Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Flower Color: White
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 30-50 ft. tall, 5-6 ft. wide
Gatsby Pink Hydrangea
For those who love North American native plants, the Gatsby Pink oakleaf hydrangea is a must-have. This cultivar provides a season-long display of changing colors—starting with white blooms that transition to pink, followed by brilliant red foliage in autumn. Ideal for woodland gardens and informal landscapes, Gatsby Pink hydrangeas bloom on old wood, making them best suited for USDA hardiness zone 5 or warmer to prevent winter damage that can affect flowering.
- Name: Gatsby Pink hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Gatsby Pink’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Flower Color: Pink, white
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall and wide
BloomStruck Bigleaf Hydrangea
Part of the Endless Summer series, BloomStruck is a versatile hydrangea that blooms on both new and old wood, making it resilient even after harsh winters. This fourth introduction in the series features either blue-purple or rose-pink blossoms, depending on the soil’s pH. The red-purple stems and dark green leaves with red veins make this compact shrub even more attractive. Not only is it heat-tolerant, but it also has strong resistance to powdery mildew, making it a hardy and reliable choice for any garden.
- Name: BloomStruck Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘BloomStruck’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Flower Color: Rose-pink, blue-purple
- Light Requirements: Partial shade
- Mature Size: 3-4 ft. tall, 4-5 ft. wide
Blue Deckle Hydrangea
A charming cultivar of the Japanese mountain hydrangea, Blue Deckle is known for its delicate, frilly flowers. The bloom color varies from light blue in acidic soil to pale lavender in less acidic soil. This compact shrub thrives in dappled sunlight and is perfect for planting under tall deciduous trees. Blue Deckle is a late-blooming hydrangea, peaking in July and August. As a bonus, its brilliant red and purple fall foliage offers a spectacular display as autumn sets in.
- Name: Blue Deckle hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata ‘Blue Deckle’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
- Flower Color: Blue, lavender
- Light Requirements: Partial shade
- Mature Size: 3-4 ft. tall and wide
Eldorado Hydrangea
Red blooms are a rarity among hydrangeas, but the Eldorado hydrangea breaks the mold. This compact shrub offers stunning red flowers in late summer and early fall, providing a splash of color when most other plants have stopped blooming. Eldorado thrives in both acidic and neutral soils, making it versatile. However, like most mophead hydrangeas, it’s less winter-hardy than other species, so extra care might be needed in colder climates.
- Name: Eldorado hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Eldorado’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
- Flower Color: Red
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 3 ft. tall and wide
YOU&ME® ‘Together’ Hydrangea
This double-flowered hydrangea variety from the YOU&ME® series produces denser flower heads compared to typical bigleaf varieties. Depending on the soil’s acidity, its blooms can be either light pink or light blue. Planting it alongside other YOU&ME® hydrangeas creates a lush and vibrant floral display, ideal for adding elegance and charm to any garden setting.
- Name: YOU&ME ‘Together’ hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla YOU&ME ‘Together’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
- Flower Color: Light pink, light blue
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 3 ft. tall
Madame Emile Mouillere Hydrangea
Bred in France over a century ago, the Madame Emile Mouillere hydrangea is more than just a classic mophead variety. Though its initial blooms are white, they gradually transform into a soft blue or muted pink as summer advances. A subtle hint of blue or pink in the flower’s eye gives a preview of this color change, adding a timeless, ethereal beauty to any garden. This hardy and reliable hydrangea is perfect for those seeking a blend of tradition and elegance in their landscapes.
- Name: Madame Emile Mouillere hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Madame Emile Mouillere’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Flower Color: White (fading to pale blue or dusky pink)
- Light Requirements: Partial shade
- Mature Size: 5-6 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide
Miss Saori Hydrangea
An award-winning dwarf hydrangea, Miss Saori stands out with its unique double flowers featuring creamy petals edged with rose-pink picotee margins. This distinctive coloration and texture are unmatched by any other hydrangea variety. The plant blooms in June, followed by burgundy-tinted foliage in the fall. Even in winter, the peeling cinnamon-colored bark adds interest. Compact and well-contained, this variety is ideal as a specimen plant in the center of a garden bed.
- Name: Miss Saori hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Miss Saori’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-11
- Flower Color: Cream with pink variegation
- Light Requirements: Full sun, partial shade
- Mature Size: 3 ft. tall and wide
Unique Hydrangea
As its name suggests, the Unique hydrangea lives up to its reputation as a particularly hardy panicle variety. It’s a large shrub with an upright growth habit, making it suitable for training into a tree form by removing lower branches to develop a central trunk. The blooms begin as pure white but gradually gain a pinkish tint as they age. This hydrangea responds well to pruning, but since it flowers on new wood, ensure that trimming is done at the appropriate time to maintain its beauty.
- Name: Unique hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Unique’)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Flower Color: White (with a pinkish hue as blooms age)
- Light Requirements: Full sun, partial shade
- Mature Size: 6-10 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide
