Everything You Need to Know About Growing Hydrangeas

A guide to growing hydrangeas, including different types of hydrangeas, what zones they grow well in, and how to plant and care for hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas are a much-loved flowering plant grown in many parts of the world. They produce large, beautiful blooms and have a very distinct charm about them.

People have been growing hydrangeas for generations thanks to their easy-going nature, long-lasting blooms, and versatility in the garden. Today, many people continue to grow hydrangeas out of a sense of nostalgia. Do you have any fond memories of playing amongst the hydrangea bushes in your parents’ or grandparents’ garden? Or of having fresh cut hydrangeas adorning your summer table?

I adore growing hydrangeas, and many of the photos you’ll see here are from my own yard. The versatility of colors and types is incredible, and they are all so beautiful in their own ways.

For those who are new to growing hydrangeas, or for those looking for more information about them, I am sharing everything you need to know about growing hydrangeas. From types of hydrangeas and the best climate for growing hydrangeas, to planting and caring for hydrangeas, you’ll find answers to all of your questions here.

Types of Hydrangeas

According to plantaddicts.com, there are over 75 species of hydrangea. Don’t worry, this guide is not going to cover all of them!

For the purpose of this post, I will share some information about the 5 main types of hydrangeas that are common to North America.

Most types of hydrangeas can be distinguished by the characteristics of their blooms, leaves, and stems.

1. Bigleaf Hydrangeas

Bigleaf hydrangeas are the most common type found in the United States. There are three subtypes: mophead, lacecap and mountain hydrangeas.

Mophead Hydrangeas

The most popular and recognizable variety, mopheads have large blooms in blue, purple, and pink. The leaves are slightly heart shaped with coarsely toothed edges and are often thick and shiny.

Lacecap Hydrangeas

Almost identical to mophead hydrangeas, the only difference in lacecaps is the shape of their blooms. The center of this distinctive bloom is made up of little buds which are surrounded by larger blossoms around the outside.

Mountain Hydrangeas

The least popular of the bigleaf types, mountain hydrangeas have much smaller flowers. They are, however, extremely hardy and can survive in harsh climates.

2. Panicle Hydrangeas

Panicle hydrangeas are the only type of hydrangeas that will form into trees. They are recognizable by their cone shaped blooms which often start out white and then turn pink. The leaves are smaller than those on mopheads, with finely toothed edges and a matte finish. Panicles are the most cold hardy hydrangea variety.

3. Smooth Hydrangeas

Smooth hydrangeas have a similar look to the popular mophead variety, with a few notable differences. The leaves are thinner and floppier, with a coarse texture and matte finish. The leaf stems are also longer and stronger for holding up their large blooms.

4. Oakleaf Hydrangeas

The leaves are the oakleaf hydrangea are its most distinctive feature, having a very similar appearance to the leaves of an oak tree, and will also change color in the fall. This variety often has white cone-shaped blooms.

5. Climbing Hydrangeas

While most types of hydrangeas grow on a bush, climbing hydrangeas grow on a vine. This variety has large blooms and can grow up structures, reaching a length of up to 50 feet. Native to Asia, climbing hydrangeas are becoming increasingly popular due to their unique features.

What Climate is Best for Growing Hydrangeas?

Different types of hydrangeas grow best in different climates, but for the most part, hydrangeas do best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9.

You can determine your plant hardiness zone by using this interactive map or reference the map below.

For information about the best hydrangeas to use in your climate and specific growing conditions, this gallery from Country Living does a great job of breaking it down.

The slides provide a ton of great info about which types of hydrangeas do well in full sun (panicle hydrangeas), which are best in shade (oakleaf hydrangeas), and those that thrive in cold climates, along with many other criteria you might be looking for when growing hydrangeas in your garden.

Planting and Caring for Hydrangeas

Once you’ve decided what type of hydrangea you’d like growing in your garden, you may be wondering about how to plant and care for them. Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about planting and caring for hydrangeas to get you started.

What kind of soil do hydrangeas like?

Soil should be fertile, hold moisture well, and be well-draining. Hydrangeas can grow in either acidic or alkaine soils, but this can influence the color of your blooms.

How can you change the color of hydrangea blooms?

In bigleaf hydrangeas, you can change the color of your blooms by adjusting the pH of the soil. To turn pink flowers blue, the soil needs to be amended to be more acidic. To turn blue flowers pink, the soil needs to be amended to be more alkaline. There are various amendments you can add to your soil to change the pH.

To find out more about this process, check out this article all about what soil is best for hydrangeas from Gardener Report.

Do hydrangeas come back every year?

Yes, hydrangeas are perennials, meaning they will come back every year. If you live in a harsh winter climate, be sure to choose a hardy variety to ensure your hydrangeas survive the winter.

When do hydrangeas bloom?

One of the reasons why hydrangeas are so popular is due to their long and showy blooming period. This can vary depending on the variety and your climate, but most will flower from early spring all the way into fall.

How do you prune a hydrangea?

First, you need to know what type of hydrangea you have as there are two different pruning methods for different types of hydrangeas.

For bigleaf, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangeas, or old wood bloomers, you’ll want to prune as flowers begin to fade at the end of the season. This is because the flower buds of these varieties are produced the summer before. Prune before the buds start to form by snipping fading blooms just above a nearby leaf node.

For panicle and smooth hydrangeas, or new wood bloomers, there’s a bigger window of time for pruning. When plants are dormant, cut back the whole bush to about 2 feet from the ground. Or snip dried blooms just above a leaf node where you’d like two new stems to grow.

If you liked my guide on Everything You Need to Know About Growing Hydrangeas, be sure to check out my Ten Tips for Beautiful Roses.