A Simple Guide

Everything You Need to Know About the Different Kinds of Hydrangeas

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of hydrangea options available? In recent years, the hydrangea market has seen an influx of new varieties, each boasting unique characteristics and attributes. With this surge in options, it's no wonder that gardeners may find themselves overwhelmed when trying to select the perfect hydrangea for their landscape.

This simple guide aims to provide clarity by breaking down the key differences between six popular hydrangea types. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice enthusiast, this article will help you navigate through the many options available and make an informed decision for your garden.

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

A large, blue bigleaf hydrangea mophead flower (Hydrangea macrophylla) — **A bigleaf hydrangea with mophead flowers (*Hydrangea macrophylla*).**

An old-fashioned favorite. Also called French hydrangea, mophead, or Hortensia.
A deciduous shrub with an upright, multi-stemmed form.
Two flower types: Mopheads have large, globe-shaped flower heads, and lacecaps have flattened heads of tiny flowers surrounded by larger florets.
Native to Japan and Korea.
Grows in zones 6-9 (most can grow in zone 5 with winter protection).
Good for cut flowers.
Flower color can be changed by manipulating the soil pH - acidic soil for blue, alkaline soil for pink.
Needs some shade.
Grows 3-6 feet tall and wide; smaller cultivars available.
Not a reliable bloomer - blooms can be killed by a late frost. Reblooming cultivars aim to fix this problem.
Older cultivars bloom on old wood; newer, reblooming cultivars bloom on old and new wood.
Popular cultivars: Endless Summer® Reblooming hydrangea series, Let’s Dance™ Reblooming hydrangea series
Learn more about bigleaf hydrangeas here.

Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

The most sun, heat, and drought tolerant of all the hydrangea types.
A deciduous shrub with an upright, multi-stemmed form.
Showy blooms from summer through early fall.
Cone-shaped flower heads.
Native to China and Japan.
Grows in zones 3-8 (the popular ‘Limelight’ cultivar can grow in zones 3-9a).
Good for cut flowers.
Different cultivars available with flowers in shades of white, cream, green and pink.
Flower color unaffected by soil pH.
Likes full sun.
Fast-growing and vigorous.
Grows 6-8 feet tall and wide; smaller cultivars also available.
Blooms reliably on new wood.
Looks best with an annual pruning in late winter or early spring.
Popular cultivars: Limelight, Quick Fire®, Vanilla Strawberry™, Bobo®
Learn more about the panicle hydrangea here.

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Four seasons of interest.
A deciduous shrub with an upright, irregular shape.
Showy, panicle-shaped flowers in late spring and summer.
Rich, vibrant fall leaf color in shades of red, burgundy, and purple.
Cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark provides winter interest.
Native to the Southeastern United States.
Grows in zones 5-9.
Easy to grow in full sun to partial shade.
Different cultivars available with flowers in shades of white, cream, pink, rose or green.
Flower color unaffected by soil pH.
Grows 6-8 feet tall and wide; smaller and larger cultivars available.
Blooms on old wood.
Slow to moderate growth rate.
Needs minimal pruning.
Popular cultivars: Ruby Slippers, Alice, Snow Queen
Learn more about oakleaf hydrangeas here.

Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata)

Reliable flower production and low maintenance requirements.
A deciduous shrub with a compact, upright form.
Blooms from early to late summer.
Lacy, flat-topped flowers in shades of blue or pink. Flowers are comprised of tiny inner florets surrounded by large outer flowers.
Native to Japan and Korea.
Grows in zones 4-9 (some cultivars are zones 5-9).
Flower color can be changed by manipulating the soil pH - acidic soil for blue, alkaline soil for pink.
Likes partial shade and cool, rich, consistently moist soil.
Does not wilt as easily as bigleaf hydrangea.
Mature size is 3-5 feet tall; some cultivars are smaller.
Blooms on old wood.
Compact shape needs very little pruning.
Very pest and disease-resistant.
Popular cultivars: Bluebird, Tiny Tuff Stuff™
Learn more about mountain hydrangeas here.

Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

Extreme cold tolerance. Grows in zones 3-8.
A deciduous shrub with a loose, upright, suckering habit.
Flat to globe-shaped flower clusters.
Stems tend to flop over from the weight of their flower heads, especially after a heavy rain. Newer cultivars aim to fix this problem.
Blooms from late spring through summer.
Different cultivars available with white, green or pink flowers.
Flower color unaffected by soil pH.
Native to Eastern North America.
Grows 3-6 feet tall and wide; smaller cultivars available.
Fast-growing.
Likes partial sun with at least 3 hours of direct sunlight to promote the development of strong stems.
Flowers on new wood; may be pruned to the ground in late winter or early spring.
Popular cultivars: Annabelle, Incrediball®
Learn more about smooth hydrangeas here.

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subspecies petiolaris)

Lacy white flat topped flowers of the climbing hydrangea (hydrangea anonala subspecies petiolaris) — **Climbing hydrangea (*Hydrangea anomala* subspecies *petiolaris*).** Image credit: Catherine Kay Greenup, Unsplash.

Vigorous, deciduous vine that clings to walls, fences, and trellises with aerial roots.
Lacy, flat-topped white flowers comprised of tiny inner flowers surrounded by large outer florets.
Blooms from early to mid-summer.
Lightly fragrant flowers.
Flower color unaffected by soil pH.
Native to Japan and Korea.
Can grow 50-80 feet long, with lateral stems extending up to 3 feet away from the supporting structure.
Grows slowly for the first two years as roots become established, then begins to grow rapidly.
Hardy in zones 4-7.
Grows in full sun to shade; afternoon shade recommended in warmer climates.
Attractive peeling, exfoliating, cinnamon-colored bark brings winter interest to the garden.
Blooms on old wood and can be pruned as needed after flowering.
Popular cultivars: The straight species is the easiest to find.
Sometimes confused with the Japanese hydrangea vine (Schizophragma hydrangeiodes).

Need more help picking a hydrangea for your garden? Read “15 Top Hydrangea Types for Different Garden Situations”.

Hydrangea Types