Hydrangea Plant List

Whether planted solo or en masse, hydrangeas are appealing not only for their good looks but also for their versatile, easy care nature. These fast-growing deciduous plants prefer part sun and moist, well-drained soil, but will perform in sunny sites if given plenty of water. A layer of organic mulch helps to keep the roots cool and moist. Flower colors include white, pink and blue; however, blue blossoms require the addition of soil sulfur or aluminum sulfate in our high pH soils. Hydrangeas are generally problem-free. It’s no wonder they’re so popular!

PINK AND BLUE MOPHEAD & LACECAP

Mophead and lacecap hydrangea are varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea), a plant native to Japan with large, thick leaves and pink to blue flowers (according to pH) on branch tips in late spring to summer. White flowers are always white. Mophead flowers are large and ball-shaped whereas lacecap flowers are flat, with showy bracts surrounding bud-like flowers in the center. This type performs best in 5-6 hours of morning and late afternoon sun. Does not tolerate hot, direct midday sun. To ensure best flowering in our climate we recommend winter protection and careful pruning, especially for varieties blooming on “old wood”. For colored types, flowers will be pink in our high pH alkaline soil, purple to blue in low pH acid soil. Aluminum in the soil is what makes the flowers blue, but it’s not available if the pH is high. Soil sulfur, applied 2x per year spring/fall will gradually lower the pH and supplemental aluminum sulfate increases the amount of aluminum in the soil for the plant to use. Apply in April, then 2 weeks later. Water immediately after contact with soil.

Name	HxW	Description
Hydrangea macrophylla	Mophead
Bloomstruck	4’x4’	Better cold and heat tolerance distinguishes this improved variety in the Endless Summer series. Vivid pink flowers on sturdy, red-purple stems from July until frost. Glossy leaves are highlighted by red veins and petioles.
Blue Enchantress	4’x4’	Robust plant with handsome ruby-black colored stems and large dark green leaves. The pink or blue flowers gradually fade to a cream-splashed green.
Blushing Bride	4’x4’	From the Endless Summer series of reblooming H. macrophylla. Pure white blooms mature to blush pink. Cannot be changed to blue.
Endless Summer	4’x4’	First in the Endless Summer series of reblooming hydrangea. Large pink or blue flowers from July through frost. For best results protect over winter and do not cut back stems.
Fire Island	3’x3’	Uniquely colored flowers distinguish this variety. The individual florets are creamy white trimmed with a rosy red margin. The flowers gradually mature to deep pink.
L.A. Dreamin’	4’x4’	Multi-hued flowers in pink, purple and blue may appear on plant all at once. Older plants are more likely to display this effect and may show only one color if the soil is strongly acidic or alkaline. Blooms on old and new wood.
Summer Crush	3’x3’	Intensely colored flowers and a compact growth habit define the newest member of the Endless Summer family. Flowers will be raspberry red or neon purple, according to soil pH. Great for smaller areas and works well in containers, too!
Hydrangea macrophylla	Lacecap
Edgy Orbits	4’x4’	Double flowers are hot pink blending to a glowing white edge. Blooms on old wood.
Let’s Dance Diva	3’x3’	Pink or blue lacecap flowers are noticeably larger than most. Blooms on new and old.
Light O’ Day	3’x4’	Green foliage with pure white edges really lights up shady areas. Unlikely to flower. Compact form. Blooms only on old wood and requires protection to do so.
Tuff Stuff varieties	3’x3’	From H. serrata, Mountain hydrangea, a close relative of H. macrophylla comes the reblooming Tuff Stuff series with improved stem and bud hardiness. Lacecap flowers in shades of pink or blue. Try this hardier type if your Mac has inconsistent flowering.
Twist-n-Shout	4’x4’	From the reblooming Endless Summer series. One of the hardiest lacecaps (Zone 4). Pink to blue flowers. Red stems and glossy leaves turning red-burgundy in fall.
Wedding Gown	3’x4’	Double white flowers in late spring into summer. Blooms earlier than other H. macrophylla types. Compact form is great in containers, but also spreads nicely.

SMOOTH/SNOWBALL

Smooth hydrangea descends from Hydrangea arborescens, a hardy native plant. Most common is the big white snowball, but pink varieties (color cannot be changed) have recently been introduced. This type blooms reliably on branch tips of new wood, regardless of weather or pruning. Performs best in part sun, but tolerates full sun and full shade.

Name	HxW	Description
Annabelle	4’x4’	The most familiar snowball hydrangea. Large white flowers from late June through July. Makes a great dried flower. Most shade tolerant hydrangea. Twiggy, and under favorable conditions may spread by suckers to form colonies.
Incrediball	4’x4’	Enormous flowers from late June through July emerge lime green, change to white, then back to green. Strong, beefy stems do not allow flowers to droop.
Incrediball Blush	4’x4’	A lovely blush pink version of Incrediball. Makes a great choice for cutting.
Invincibelle Limetta	3’x3’	A small version of the reliable Annabelle with sturdier stems to support the big round flower clusters that start green in early June, change to white, then go back to green. The flowers last for much of the summer and are great for cutting and drying. Best performance and flower production with at least 5 hours of direct sun.
Invincibelle Mini Mauvette	3’x3’	The same type of hydrangea as Annabelle, but with pink-mauve colored flowers starting in early summer and reblooming until frost. Best performance and flower production with at least 5 hours of direct sun.
Invincibelle Spirit Ruby	3’x3’	Dark burgundy buds open to two-toned flowers of bright ruby red and silvery pink held on sturdy stems. Best appearance in part to full sun.
Invincibelle Wee White	2’x2’	Truly dwarf version of Annabelle growing in a cute little mound no more than 2.5’ tall. Round, pure white flower clusters on sturdy stems appear in June, and rebloom until frost. Best performance and flower production with at least 5 hours of direct sun.

PANICLE

Panicle hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata, is a large, vase-shaped plant with cone-shaped flowers, or panicles, on branch tips of new wood in midsummer or later. The showy flowers are a refreshing sight in the late summer garden. While hardy and requiring little maintenance, periodic pruning keeps the plants from getting too leggy. This type performs best in full to part sun, doing poorly in full shade. A bold T indicates the plant is also available in a single-trunk tree form.

Name	HxW	Description
Bobo	3’x4’	Huge creamy white flowers in late summer continue to grow and lengthen as they bloom. Compact plant is great in smaller spaces.
Diamond Rouge	4’x4’	Compact plant with huge (12-15” long) creamy white flower panicles that open creamy white, gradually turn dark pink, then finally rich red in fall. Show-stopping in the shrub border or as a stand-alone specimen.
Fire Light	6’x6’	Large, dense, conical flowers emerge white in mid-summer, then gradually turn pomegranate-pink creating a lengthy show. Sturdy stems hold the flowers upright.
Limelight	7’x7’	Large, fresh-looking, lime green flowers in late summer into fall. Great plant to liven up the late summer garden.
Little Lime	4’x4’	Dwarf form of Limelight has panicles of soft lime-green flowers maturing to shades of pink and burgundy in the fall. Adds lovely fresh color to the summer landscape.
Little Quick Fire	4’x4’	Compact form of Quick Fire. White flower panicles appear in early July, one month earlier than most other varieties. The flowers gradually turn to deep pink.
Phantom	10’x10’	Enormous white conical flowers on strong stems from mid to late summer gradually mature to parchment pink. Larger than most panicle-types, Phantom makes a great stand-alone specimen.
Pink Diamond	8’x8’	Large, showy white flowers in July age to a rich pink. The flowers persist to October.
Pinky Winky	7’x7’	Large white flowers quickly turn pink while new white flowers are forming. Creates a unique two-toned flower display late summer through fall.
Quick Fire	6’x6’	Large, showy white flowers age to a rich pink. Quick Fire blooms almost a month earlier than other paniculata types offering a great way to extend the bloom season.
Silver Dollar	5’x5’	Similar to the popular Limelight, but more compact in stature. Rounded panicles in late summer, the flowers emerging clean white aging to soft pink and lime tones.
Strawberry Sundae	4’x5’	A compact version of Vanilla Strawberry with huge panicles of white flowers emerging in July. The flowers gradually change to pink, then red in fall. Great in pots, too!
Tardiva	10’x8’	Large, almost airy-looking, white flower panicles in late August ageing to pink. Latest hydrangea to bloom. Makes a lovely large specimen.
Vanilla Strawberry	7’x5’	Huge panicles of white flowers turn pink and strawberry red. New and older flowers create a unique two-toned summer display. Stunning in mass or as an informal hedge.
White Diamonds	5’x5’	Petite form. White flowers in late July eventually fade to a parchment and pink color. Leathery, dark green foliage has improved heat and drought tolerance
Zinfin Doll	7’x7’	Similar to Pinky Winky, but with denser, more rounded panicles that bloom a few weeks earlier. Flowers are pure white, turning bright pink from the bottom up as they age, then finally maturing to a rich reddish pink.

OAKLEAF

Oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, is distinctive for its large, bold leaves shaped like oak leaves and creamy white flower panicles that appear at the branch tips in early summer. In fall, the leaves turn shades of red, burgundy, orange and yellow. Winter reveals lovely, exfoliating cinnamon brown bark. This type of hydrangea prefers part sun but will perform well in full sun if given ample moisture. Because flower buds are formed on current seasons’ growth for flowers the next spring, pruning should be done shortly after flowering.

Name	HxW	Description
Alice	6’x6’	Large, creamy-white flowers age to rosy-pink. Dark green foliage turns burgundy-red in fall. Great as specimen or planted in groups.
Pee Wee	3’x3’	White conical flowers with smaller leaves than the species. A wonderful compact form for the smaller garden or home foundation.
Ruby Slippers	3’x4’	White flowers in summer quickly turn to pink and are held upright on sturdy stems. Mahogany colored leaves in fall. Versatile small size.
Snowflake	5’x5’	Creamy white flowers in summer. Spectacular crimson fall color. Improved variety that appears to be double flowering.
Snow Queen	6’x8’	Appears doubled-flowered, the panicles consisting of many dense florets blooming on top of each other. Blooms mature to a rich pink, and are held firmly above the foliage. Deep red-bronze fall color. Lovely as a specimen or in a grouping.

Winter Protection

Older varieties bloom only on “old wood”. Flower buds for the next year are formed on current season’s stems in late summer and fall. If those stems die back to the ground over the winter or are pruned down too far the plant will not bloom. Also, late spring freezes can kill flower buds. We recommend you protect these flower buds on old stems by generously mulching the plants for the winter and covering plants with cloth if a late freeze is expected.
Although newer reblooming varieties such as Endless Summer and Twist-n-Shout have the capacity to produce flowers on new wood later in the summer they also benefit from winter protection.

• Mulch plants in late fall, after two hard freezes (when the temperature has dropped below 15-20° F.)
• Cover the crown and stems of plant to a depth of 12-18” with shredded or chopped, dried leaves. You may use a rose collar or loose chicken wire to contain the mulch.
• In early spring, when the danger of a hard freeze is past, usually the end of March, remove the winter protection.

Pruning

If your plants are getting too tall a light early spring pruning helps to keep them in check.

• In early spring, after the last hard freeze, prune stems back lightly overall being careful to leave at least two pairs of fat buds on each stem to ensure good blooming.

Large, established plants benefit from occasional thinning. In early spring, cut 2-3 of the heaviest stems down to the ground. This thins the plant and reduces overcrowding. The plant will have fewer but larger flowers that season. If desired, spent blooms may be removed right after flowering.

Do not prune after mid-August in order to allow flower buds to set for the next season.