Picking the Perfect Hydrangea
Something for every bed, border, woodland, and wall.
The big pom-poms of the popular ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangea are practically synonymous with summer in the Hamptons, but there are so many other varieties to choose from. Consider the seven beauties featured here.
-
1/7Photograph by Tria GiovanANNABELLE HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’)
Zones: 3–9; height: 3–5 feet
This stunner boasts giant panicles of white flowers that fade to green from June to September. Its parent is an East Coast woodland native, so it likes shade but can take sun with sufficient moisture. If you’re looking for a more diminutive version, try the new H. a. ‘Invincibelle Wee White’, which tops out at 30 inches.Photograph by Tria GiovanANNABELLE HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’)
Zones: 3–9; height: 3–5 feet
This stunner boasts giant panicles of white flowers that fade to green from June to September. Its parent is an East Coast woodland native, so it likes shade but can take sun with sufficient moisture. If you’re looking for a more diminutive version, try the new H. a. ‘Invincibelle Wee White’, which tops out at 30 inches. -
2/7LACE-CAP HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’)
Zones: 2–7; height: 3–5 feet
Dripping in a heady hue similar to that of its popular ‘Nikko Blue’ cousin, this more delicate hydrangea still packs a punch in a border. The flowers will eventually fade into multiple shades of purple and rose, and if you don’t deadhead them before winter, the dried flower heads will catch the snow beautifully.LACE-CAP HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’)
Zones: 2–7; height: 3–5 feet
Dripping in a heady hue similar to that of its popular ‘Nikko Blue’ cousin, this more delicate hydrangea still packs a punch in a border. The flowers will eventually fade into multiple shades of purple and rose, and if you don’t deadhead them before winter, the dried flower heads will catch the snow beautifully. -
3/7FAIRYTRAIL BRIDE HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea x)
Zones: 6–9; height: 4 feet
The first trailing hydrangea—a multiple hybrid just introduced this year—Fairytrail Bride is ideal for pots or training over a ledge. It blooms all season, doesn’t require deadheading, and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.FAIRYTRAIL BRIDE HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea x)
Zones: 6–9; height: 4 feet
The first trailing hydrangea—a multiple hybrid just introduced this year—Fairytrail Bride is ideal for pots or training over a ledge. It blooms all season, doesn’t require deadheading, and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. -
4/7CLIMBING HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)
Zones: 4–8; height: 30–50 feet
This Japanese native is slow to start, but hard to stop once it gets its groove on. Use it to hide any ugly surface, climb a tree, or even double as a groundcover. It puts on quite a show at bloom time, and the cinnamon-colored bark is attractive when it exfoliates in winter.CLIMBING HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)
Zones: 4–8; height: 30–50 feet
This Japanese native is slow to start, but hard to stop once it gets its groove on. Use it to hide any ugly surface, climb a tree, or even double as a groundcover. It puts on quite a show at bloom time, and the cinnamon-colored bark is attractive when it exfoliates in winter. -
5/7OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’)
Zones: 5–9; height: 4–6 feet
Another hydrangea native to American soil, this variety features lush blooms and rough-textured oak-tree-like foliage that turns burgundy in the fall.OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’)
Zones: 5–9; height: 4–6 feet
Another hydrangea native to American soil, this variety features lush blooms and rough-textured oak-tree-like foliage that turns burgundy in the fall. -
6/7LIMELIGHT HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’)
Zones: 3–8; height: 6–8 feet
A great hydrangea for cutting and drying, with large panicles of lime-colored flowers that fade first to rose, then to tan as winter approaches. Prune it in late winter.LIMELIGHT HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’)
Zones: 3–8; height: 6–8 feet
A great hydrangea for cutting and drying, with large panicles of lime-colored flowers that fade first to rose, then to tan as winter approaches. Prune it in late winter. -
7/7RED SENSATION HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Red Sensation’)
Zones: 5–9; height: 2–3 feet
With red blooms from spring through fall, this hydrangea is a garden workhorse. It looks particularly dramatic corralled inside boxwood-edged beds.RED SENSATION HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Red Sensation’)
Zones: 5–9; height: 2–3 feet
With red blooms from spring through fall, this hydrangea is a garden workhorse. It looks particularly dramatic corralled inside boxwood-edged beds.
Tips
• As their name suggests, hydrangeas like water. Keep them moist, especially if they are planted in full sun.
• Don’t prune most hydrangeas, except for late-blooming varieties. Removing dead branches is, of course, always okay.
• Adding Holly-Tone in the spring will intensify the blue of some hydrangeas, particularly the popular ‘Nikko Blue’.
• Schizophragma hydrangoides (false hydrangea) is a good substitute for H. petiolaris and will stay closer to a wall.
• Cut hydrangeas dry beautifully in a vase. Just let the water evaporate.
The print version of this article appears with the headline: Hot for Hydrangeas.
This article appears in the July-15 2022 issue of HC&G (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens).
