The word origin of hydrangea comes from the Greek words for water, hydros and jar, angos because some species are quite water thirsty. The hydrangea was first cultivated in Japan but are native to both Asia and the Americas.
When choosing a hydrangea, keep in mind these things: your growing hardiness zone, available space (they can get quite big!), soil makeup, moisture levels and amount of sunlight received per day. To find your hardiness zone, click here then enter your zip code.
The most common type in North America, Bigleaf hydrangeas have the classic mophead – or open lacecap – bloom reminiscent of Cape Cod’s signature plant. With blooms of blue, pink, purple, and more, these classic hydrangea flowers bring color to areas with morning sun, some afternoon shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Avoid planting Bigleaf hydrangea on hot, dry, exposed sites.
Well-known varieties include:
With a big, white (or sometimes pink) pompom bloom, these native hydrangeas are sometimes called ‘Annabelle,’ which is one of the most popular cultivar names. Perfect for full sun or dappled shade (in hotter climates) locations.
Well-known varieties include:
Panicle hydrangeas have gorgeous cone-shaped blooms that emerge white in mid-summer and age to various shades of lime, parchment, pink, and red as fall nights cool down. These hydrangeas are some of the most cold-hardy, many will survive up to zone 3, making this the perfect choice for colder climates. Panicle hydrangea’s upright form means it can be pruned into a tree form.
Well-known varieties include:
Aptly named, this hydrangea is accented by leaves that resemble an oak tree. One of the earliest blooming species of hydrangea, the incredible foliage also gets amazing fall color. Native to North America, this woodland species is well adapted to the American landscape. In northern or cooler climates, oakleaf hydrangeas do well in full sun to light shade but in southern or warmer climates, some afternoon sun protection is advised. They will grow best in rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soils.
Well-known varieties include:
Pruning: depends on the species of hydrangea:
One of the most common questions about hydrangeas is how to get blue flowers. You can change a pink hydrangea flower to blue by changing your soil’s pH. (You cannot change the color white or green flowered varieties). Only two hydrangea types undergo significant color changes depending on the soil: Bigleaf and the less common Mountain hydrangeas.
To get blue flowers, there must be aluminum (which is present in most soils) in the soil. In acid, to neutral soils, this isn’t a problem. But in alkaline soils, the roots can’t take up the aluminum and the flowers will be pink. Do a soil test to find out what you have.
If your soil is acid to neutral, and your flowers are pink, but you’d like blue, apply some granular aluminum sulfate, sulfur or iron sulfate to acidify the soil. If your soil is alkaline, you can try to acidify it by working in lots of organic material and adding elemental sulfur gradually over several years.
Ask a local expert for advice on what works best in your area. Always follow package directions carefully. It may take several months or a season for it to work.
Hydrangeas can be used in so many ways in your garden, from a focal point to establishing a border and filling the foundation around your house. And they don’t just have to be planted in the landscape anymore either. Many hydrangeas, especially the newer varieties, are more compact and do incredibly well in a decorative pot. And don’t forget to cut some blooms for an indoor flower arrangement. You’ll defintely enjoy the Year of the Hydrangea!
National Garden Bureau recognizes and thanks Bailey Nurseries, an NGB member, as author of this Year of the Hydrangea fact sheet.
This fact sheet is provided as an educational service of the National Garden Bureau. There are no limitations on the use but please credit National Garden Bureau when using all or parts of this article or referencing the Year of the program.
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Flower Power in a small package! Bright green summer flowers turn burgundy pink in fall.
This book gives you the information you need to grow the best hydrangeas you can via 13 color-coded chapters including feeding, transplanting, hardiness, and propagation.
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