The quickest way to elevate your garden and add timeless style – Hydrangeas. They are one of the most versatile, generous and garden‑transforming shrubs you can grow. They offer huge blooms and seasonal interest (as long as you hold off pruning until late February / early March). With many varieties and sizes available there is something for everyone.
Did you know, Hydrangeas have the nickname the “Change Rose” because of their ability, in some species, to change flower colour depending on the pH Level of the soil they grow in.
Originally from Asia and the Americas there are now over eighty species of Hydrangea in the world. There is even an Island in the Azores named “blue island” due to the vast quantity of blue Hydrangeas growing there. Plant Hydrangeas in your garden to attract bees, butterflies, moths and other useful pollinators to your garden.
These are our top picks:
Hydrangea paniculata
Grow in moist but well-drained moderately fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Wim’s Red’ produces honey scented flowers. The flower heads once cut & dried make great flower arrangements, especially ‘Little Lime’, ‘Silver Dollar’ and Limelight’.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’® – a compact, free‑flowering panicle hydrangea prized for its huge white flower heads, small size, and long season of interest. It’s one of the best choices if you want the drama of a paniculata without the space requirements of larger varieties like ‘Limelight’ or ‘Phantom’.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ – A popular, hardy shrub known for its large, cone-shaped flower heads and reliable summer display. From mid to late summer, lime-green blooms emerge, gradually softening to creamy white and often blushing pink as autumn approaches. Strong, upright stems hold the flowers well, making them ideal for cutting and drying. Deep green foliage provides a fresh backdrop throughout the growing season. Growing to 2.5m high, ‘Limelight’ prefers moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Its long-lasting flowers, robust habit, and easy care make it a standout choice for the borders.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’ – A compact, lime‑to‑pink flowering panicle hydrangea; essentially a smaller, garden‑friendly version of the famous ‘Limelight’. It delivers big, dramatic flower heads on a plant that stays neat, tough, and easy to place even in small gardens.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Spooky’ – A dwarf panicled hydrangea known for its compact size, abundant creamy‑white flower clusters, and strong garden performance. It stays exceptionally small; around 50 cm tall and 40–50 cm wide but still produces full‑sized panicle blooms, making it ideal for patios, containers, and small gardens.
Hydrangea arborescens
This variety is hardier when it comes to being planted in a sunny spot. As long as they are well watered they are not as light sensitive as the Macrophylla variety. These not only look beautiful in the garden but also work really well in table centrepieces and are very popular in wedding bouquets.
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Strong Annabelle‘ – A robust, deciduous shrub known for its large, showy blooms and sturdy structure. It features dense, dark green foliage that provides a lush backdrop for its impressive flowers. In mid to late summer, it produces abundant, round clusters of pure white flowers, which often fade to soft green as they mature. This variety is particularly valued for its strong stems, which resist flopping, ensuring the blooms remain upright. A reliable choice for borders or as a focal point. Height and Spread 2.5m. Grow in moist but well drained soil in partial shade.
Hydrangea anomala petiolaris (climbing Hydrangea)
Climbing Hydrangeas are deciduous with dark green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. they have domed clusters of white flowers though summer and unlike other varieties of Hydrangea , can reach heights of 15m!
Hydrangea petiolaris – One of our absolute favourite plants for shade, Hydrangea petiolaris is a fabulous, large, self-clinging, deciduous climber with broadly oval leaves and impressive large white flower heads in summer, up to 20cm in width. Flowers appear in clusters, usually comprising of both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers. In autumn when the foliage turns buttery yellow, the flower heads become almost skeletal, remaining throughout winter (if not pruned) giving interest in the garden through the duller months.
Perfect for screening shady fences and walls, we supply ours readily trained on a trellis. A star plant for shady and partial shade aspects, also does well in fun sun. Prune after flowering to keep in shape and to promote the next seasons flowers. Tolerates most soil conditions except for chalk, as long as it’s moist and well drained. Final height: 12+m tall, 4-8m wide. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Hydrangea macrophylla
Also known as “bigleaf” hydrangea, French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea, mophead hydrangea, penny mac and hortensia. Hydrangea macrophylla should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Leave the dried flower heads on the plant over winter to protect the new developing buds from frost, then deadhead them in spring, cutting back to the first pair of healthy buds below the flowerhead. If buds do get damaged by frost, cut the stems back to a strong pair of healthy buds. Cut back one or two of the older flowered stems to their base to promote new growth.
How to grow Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are hardy and can be grown outdoors wherever the winter temperature stays roughly above -15ºC (5ºF). They enjoy moist, well-drained soil and do best with shelter from the hot afternoon sun. This makes them ideal choices for shady gardens, and their dramatic round flowerheads look stunning in mid and late summer. Water hydrangeas regularly, especially in dry periods, and mulch with compost or other organic material in spring or autumn.
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