Hydrangeas are a staple in many southern gardens and landscapes and with an impressive show of near-magical color-changing blooms, it is no wonder why. There are plenty of hydrangeas to pick from to suit your fancy, dwarf hydrangeas with bright white blooms as large as your head, to monstrous sized plants that provide amazing fall foliage colors, you may end up overwhelmed with choices. It is, however, important to choose the right hydrangea to fit your landscape and needs. How to narrow down the search? Read on to find out more about the four most popular types of hydrangeas and how best to care for each.
GENERAL HYDRANGEA CARE
LOCATION
Generally, hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. They need the sun to produce their magnificent blooms, but easily dry out with too much. Location in your garden will depend on the type of hydrangea, your zone, and watering habits.
In more northern zones bigleaf and oakleaf can take upwards of 6 hours of sun, however, as you delve deeper into the south sun should be limited to 2 to 3 hours of the morning sun. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas are more tolerant of full sun in any zone.
WATERING
It is in the name! Hydrangea stems from the Greek words “hydros”, meaning water, and “angos”, meaning jar or vessel so it is no surprise that these shrubs love water. They prefer constantly moist, but not waterlogged soil. Let their leaves be your guide, when you see shriveled or drooping foliage in the morning or evening, they are begging you for water. FYI, foliage tends to wilt in the afternoon whether they are well watered or not (especially if they are in full sun). Mulch is ideal to keep moisture near the roots.
PRUNING
The major key to pruning is to know the type of hydrangea you have and if it blooms on old or new wood.
Bigleaf & Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood so should only be pruned lightly immediately after flowers finish.
Smooth & Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood so benefit from pruning in late fall to early spring.
LANDSCAPE USE
Hydrangeas are perfect for borders, mass plantings, or specimen plants. Many dwarf varieties look great in containers for patio accents. They are valued for their gorgeous blooms in the landscape and as cut flowers. Cut flowers can be dried and used as-is for decoration year-round or painted and dyed to match a specific occasion.
FOUR POPULAR TYPES OF HYDRANGEAS
OAKLEAF
POPULAR CULTIVARS
Alice, Snow Queen, Ruby Slippers, Pee Wee, Munchkin
CARE
These hydrangeas are ideal for part shade to part sun southern gardens. Best for zones 5-9, with some precautions to be taken in zone 5 to protect young plants from harsh winters. They prefer moist, fertile, and well-drained soil and are not prone to any significant disease or pest problems.
WHAT MAKES OAKLEAF UNIQUE?
Oakleaf hydrangeas, as the name suggests, have unique foliage that mimics the shape of oak tree leaves. These hydrangeas create a magnificent fall showing with their changing foliage from bright red to deep burgundy, and even bronze colors. Flowers are white, fading to shades of red and pink as they age. The large 4”-12” long panicles emerge upright in late May to early June and create an impressive show.
BIGLEAF
POPULAR CULTIVARS
Endless Summer, All Summer Beauty, Nikko Blue, Penny Mac
CARE
Excellent in zones 6 – 9 when provided with adequate shade and moist well-drained soil. Blooms form on previous year growth so take care with winter protection and protection from late frosts.
WHAT MAKES BIGLEAF UNIQUE
Bigleaf hydrangeas are a great example of chemistry in nature, they are known for their ability to change color based on the acidity in the soil! Specific cultivars show blue hues better than others, but generally speaking the more acidic a soil is the more aluminum ions it contains and therefore the bluer the blooms become. Landscapers and gardeners can adjust their soils using aluminum sulfate (for blue blooms) or garden lime (for pink blooms).
PANICLE
POPULAR CULTIVARS
Little Lime, Limelight, BoBo, Little Quick Fire
CARE
The most cold-hardy of common hydrangeas, panicle hydrangeas thrive in zones 3-8 in full sun or part shade. Blooms on new growth so prune anytime in winter or early spring.
WHAT MAKES PANICLE UNIQUE?
New varieties of panicle hydrangeas provide an excellent show of flowers and are the only hydrangeas with strong enough stems to be formed into trees. Late bloomer compared to other hydrangeas, most of these huge blooms start green in the summer and quickly turn white. Blooms stay white through the summer, but once a blast of cold comes in the fall they begin to dry to shades of pink and red. There are plenty of new cultivars emerging so explore the new sizes and colors hitting the market each year.
SMOOTH
POPULAR CULTIVARS
Annabelle, Pinkerella
CARE
Happy in zones 4-9 does well in fertile, moist, well-drained soil sun to part shade, although in hot southern summers they prefer more shade. Blooms on new growth so cutting back in late fall to early spring is acceptable.
WHAT MAKES SMOOTH HYDRANGEAS UNIQUE?
Smooth hydrangeas boast a multitude of short but wide flowers starting in late June. As these white or pink flowers start to fade, they can be cut and dried to be used as beautiful, dried bouquets. Many folks get creative with these dried blooms and paint or dye them for effective year-round decoration. These hydrangeas are fast growers and are easy to care for by pruning down almost to the ground in late winter. When cared for properly they create an excellent show for otherwise bland shade areas.
