hydrangeas

Iconic, Versatile, and Beautiful

Hydrangeas

Possibly the nation’s most desirable flower, the Hydrangea! With bountiful, eye-catching blooms, these flowering shrubs and small trees can make a sizeable impact in partly shaded to sunny landscapes. And, even though some varieties require a little maintenance, their massive flowers that continue to bloom summer into fall, year after year are well worth the effort.

hydrangea types

Not sure which hydrangea works best for your garden?

At Farmer John’s, you’ll find a large collection of cold-hardy Hydrangea plants with dozens and dozens of options ranging in color, size, and type. Get acquainted with the six main species of Hydrangeas we grow below, and you’ll quickly learn which type suits your yard conditions. Then, visit Farmer John’s Home and Garden to take a look at some of our most popular varieties!

Hydrangea

macrophylla

bigleaf, mophead, or macrophylla

Bloom color can be manipulated from blue (low soil pH) to pink (high soil pH) and back again. White varieties stay white except for blushing pink in fall. Newest varieties are vigorous repeat bloomers, producing buds on old and new wood. Lightly prune in early spring to remove winter damage and dead wood. Some winter protection does help to increase the overall performance of Hydrangea macrophylla.

bloom color from blue to pink.

Hydrangea

paniculata

PANICLE, OR PANICULATA

Producing conical-shaped flower clusters, this type of hydrangea is tolerant of sun, heat, and extreme cold. Panicle varieties are commonly grafted or shaped into specimen trees. This easy-care type blooms regardless of heavy spring pruning or not, as all-new buds are produced each year. The result is a reliable flush of cream, lime green, blush, and deeper rose-pink flowers, depending on the variety chosen.

 reliable flush of colors.

Hydrangea

serrata

Mountain or Serrata

These blooming beauties are known for their increased winter hardiness, compact growth habits and the capacity to repeat bloom, producing buds and flowers on old and new wood. Their blooms make stunning additions to fresh and dried arrangements. They grow best in protected, partial shade near homes, in a landscape border, as a specimen, or as a hedge.

cold hardy color.

Hydrangea

arborescens

smooth, or arborescens

This adaptable, low-maintenance, native type of hydrangea produces large to extra-large snowball-like blossom clusters in white, cream, lime, or slightly pink on new growth each year. In late winter, the shrub can be cut back as low as six inches, and it will still burst into bloom by mid-summer. This type is happy and productive just about anywhere it’s planted.

adaptable & low maintenance.

Hydrangea

oakleaf

OAKLEAF, OR QUERCIFOLIA

This type of hydrangea offers cream-colored, panicle-shaped clusters of flowers set over boldly textured foliage resembling that of oak leaves. The foliage also puts on an amazing show of autumnal color as the season progresses. Of all the types, Oakleaf tolerates shade the best. Winter protection and mulching is recommended to protect the current season’s buds, which do form on old wood. This hydrangea can be pruned lightly in early spring.

cream-colored clusters

Hydrangea

Climbing

climbing, or petiolaris

This hydrangea type is a vigorous climbing vine featuring lush green foliage and white lacecap blooms in summer. Initially, it displays a slow-growing and shrubby habit, but then grows rapidly once established. Because this type has the ability to cling to structures, a trellis is not required. It will extend up any building or structure with ease and makes a great cover for fences and arbors. Climbing hydrangea can be pruned in late spring or early summer to manage size and to remove winter-damaged branches. It can also be maintained as a shrub.

lush green with white blooms.

florist hydrangea

hydrangea spp.

Often seen in garden centers and grocery stores around the Easter holiday, and sometimes for Christmas, these gorgeous hydrangeas are forced into flowering as a showy gift or centerpiece.

Unfortunately, these types of Hydrangeas are not particularly winter or cold hardy; they are meant to be enjoyed as a houseplant.

grow hydrangeas

Like a Professional

Now that you know the differences between each type of hydrangea that we sell, it’s time to get planting so you can enjoy their blooms for years to come. Looking for more information on hydrangea gardening? We’re here to help! Check out our hydrangea care sheet for more information on planting, pruning, fertilizing, and even changing the color of hydrangea blooms.

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