Hydrangeas are the most popular summer-flowering shrub. Their big beautiful flowers blooms in a range of colors: White, pink, red, blue and purple.

There are five species widely cultivated in the United States: Anomala, Arborescens, Macrophylla, Paniculata, Quercifolia and Serrata.

Anomala or Climbing Hydrangeas
Climbing hydrangea is a true clinging vine. While initially slow growing, the plant can eventually cover tall structures, up to 80 feet. White, lacecap-type blooms are produced in early- to mid-summer. Climbing hydrangeas grow well in shade but will tolerate a sunny location.

Arborescens or Smooth Hydrangeas
Smooth hydrangeas are native to the United States. Plants usually grow between three to five feet tall, with a similar or greater spread. Flowers bloom in early to mid-summer. The most common cultivar, ‘Annabelle’, produces rounded blooms that may reach up to a foot in diameter.

At the peak of flowering, smooth hydrangea flowers are a pure white. As they age, they turn a pale green color. These plants are extremely striking in mass plantings.

Varieties sold at English Gardens:

• Annabelle
• Incrediball
• Incrediball Blush
• Invincibelle Spirit Ruby
• Invincibelle Spirit II
• Invincible Spirit Mini Mauvette
• Invincible Spirit Ruby
• Invincible Spirit Wee White
• Lime Rickey 

Macrophyllas or Big-leaf Hydrangeas
The most popular species of hydrangeas are the big-leaf hydrangeas, commonly known as mopheads. Mopheads produce large blooms of white, pink or blue flowers in early summer. Lacecap cultivars have an inner ring of small, fertile flowers surrounded by an outer ring of large, showy flowers. Growing four to six feet tall and wide, both mophead and lacecap hydrangeas can be used as specimen plants, in mixed borders or in mass plantings.

Varieties sold at English Gardens:

• Ayesha
• Cityline Berlin
• Cityline Mars
• Cityline Paris
• Cityline Rio
• Cityline Venice
• Cityline Vienna
• Endless Summer Bloomstruck
• Endless Summer Blushing Bride
• Endless Summer Original
• Everlasting Garnet
• Everlasting Harmony
• Everlasting Jade
• Everlasting Ocean
• Everlasting Revolution
• Expression
• Firefly
• Forever Pink
• L.A. Dreamin
• Let’s Dance Big Easy
• Let’s Dance Blue Jangles 
• Let’s Dance Moonlight 
• Let’s Dance Rave 
• Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue 
• Licorice Lollipop 
• Nikko Blue 
• Penny Mac 
• Pistachio 
• Red Sensation 
• Rosy Splendor 
• Ruby Blossom 
• Sweet Fantasy 
• Tilt-a-swirl 

Lacecap cultivators:

• Cherry Explosion
• Endless Summer Twist & Shout 
• Let’s Dance Diva 
• Let’s Dance Starlight Stargazer 
• Variegated 
• Wedding Gown 

Paniculata or Panicle Hydrangeas
Panicle hydrangeas are the cold hardiest member of the genus and grow reliably in Michigan. They grow three to 12 feet tall, and during mid-summer produce large creamy-white flowers on long panicles. As flowers mature, they may turn pink.

This hydrangea can be pruned into a tree form and grown as a specimen plant. Panicle hydrangea are great for a mixed border or as a deciduous hedge.

Varieties sold at English Gardens:

• Bobo 
• Fire & Ice 
• Firelight 
• Pink Diamond 
• Limelight 
• Little Lime 
• Little Quick Fire 
• Phantom 
• Lavalamp Candleabra 
• Lavalamp Flare 
• Lavalamp Moonrock 
• Pinky Winky 
• Quick Fire 
• Strawberry Sundae 
• Sweet Summer 
• Vanilla Strawberry 
• Zinfin Doll 

These varieties are also available in tree form:

• Pink Diamond 
• Limelight 
• Phantom 
• Pinky Winky 
• Quick Fire 

Quercifolia or Oakleaf Hydrangeas
The oakleaf hydrangea is another Hydrangea species native to the United States. Plants generally grow four to 12 feet tall and produce large panicles four to 12 inches long of creamy white flowers in early summer. Dwarf varieties** grow four to six feet tall.

As flowers age, they often turn a medium- to deep-rose color. Oakleaf hydrangea is the only member of the genus to develop significant fall foliage color. Leaves turn a deep mahogany-red and stay on the plant until late fall. Exfoliating bark adds to winter interest. Oakleaf hydrangeas are best suited for a mixed border or as a mass planting.

Varieties sold at English Gardens:

• Alice 
• Gatsby Gal 
• Gatsby Moon 
• Gatsby Pink 
• Gatsby Star 
• Ice Crystal 
• Munchkin** 
• PeeWee** 
• Queen of Hearts 
• Ruby Slippers** 
• Snow Queen 

Serrata or Mountain Hydrangeas
Mountain hydrangeas are similar to Macrophylla hydrangeas, but more compact and feature lacecap-type flowers. Mountain hydrangeas have better bud hardiness because they’re native to the mountain region in Japan where conditions are harsher.

Varieties sold at English Gardens:

• Bluebird
• Preziosa 
• Tiny Tuff Stuff 
• Tuff Stuff 
• Tuff Stuff (Red) 
• Twirligig 

Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on new wood (growth created in the current season). Flower buds on these hydrangeas form after the plant leafs out in spring, and open a few months later in summer. As a result, these plants flower reliably each year, no matter how cold the winter was.

Big leaf, mountain, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangeas flower on old wood (growth created in the previous season). Flower buds on these hydrangeas begin to form in late summer and must remain undisturbed through the fall, winter, spring, in order to flower the following summer.

There are newer varieties of big-leaf hydrangeas that bloom on old and new wood like L.A. Dreamin’ and the Let’s Dance Series.

English Gardens hydrangea collection varies by store. For more information, visit your local English Gardens store and talk with one of our nursery associates or read our other blogs on hydrangeas.