A Visual Guide to the Most Popular Types of Hydrangeas (2024)

Updated on April 27, 2023

How to Grow and Care for Hydrangeas, the Summer Showstoppers Every Gardener Should Plant

Bigleaf Hydrangeas

These are one of the most well-known varieties of hydrangeas. Their large, rounded flower heads are most often pink or blue—and are stand-outs in any garden. As with other hydrangea types, gardeners can achieve a multi-colored or color change effect by adjusting the soil's pH.

Bigleaf hydrangeas either have mophead or lacecap heads. "Traditionally, the mophead term is used for the large, all sterile florets in round heads," says Kristina Aguilar, associate director of plant information and mapping at Longwood Gardens. "The lacecap head includes fertile center florets surrounded by sterile florets."

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 3 feet to 6 feet wide
• Care: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil with peat moss or lead mold

Panicle Hydrangeas

These flowers are unique in the fact that they tend to grow in cone-shaped bunches or panicles, rather than a mophead or lacecap shape. In addition to growing quite large in size (compared to the rest of the hydrangea species), they are the only variety of hydrangeas that can grow into full trees. For this reason, it's important to give this type of hydrangea a great deal of space before planting them, says Eddie Zaratsian, floral expert and owner ofEddie Zaratsian Lifestyle & Design.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 8 feet to 25 feet tall x 10 feet to 20 feet wide
• Care: Full sun to partial shade; loamy dry to moist, well-drained soil

Climbing Hydrangeas

This type of hydrangea gets its name from its favorite activity—winding its way up all sorts of surfaces, from trees and walls to even house exteriors. Martha's own home is decorated with this crawling variety. She first planted them to cover the trunks of large sugar maples and spruce trees that were growing near her house, and before she knew it, they grew 7 feet wide and 20 feet high. Climbing hydrangeas only have a lacecap head.

• Zones: 5 to 7
• Size:50 to 75 feel tall x 10 to 20 feet wide
• Care: Partial sun; moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter

Oakleaf Hydrangeas

The detail that sets the oakleaf hydrangea apart from the rest is, as its name implies, their large, oak-shaped leaves. "They have a striking presence during every season," says Ryan Zawojski, the owner and lead designer atRYZ Designs. "In the winter, they have a beautiful flaky maple-colored silhouette."

When spring hits, their leaves reveal a lime green bud that twists out into large oak-shaped leaves. Come summer, white barrel inflorescence covers the entire shrub. In fall,the flowers dry outand hold their form while the leaves start to turn an array of colors from dark purple to golden yellow.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 6 feet tall x 6 feet wide
• Care: Full sun to partial shade;moist, fairly rich, well drained soil

Smooth Hydrangeas

Smooth hydrangeas are a fast-growing shrub with either mophead or lacecap flower heads. "Smooth hydrangeas are the easy-care hydrangeas that bring so much nostalgia and classic beauty to the landscape," says Ryan Mcenaney, public relations and communications specialist forBailey Nurseries. "With their big white or pink flowers, commonly known as snowball or Annabelle hydrangeas, this species fits perfectly into any design style."

These hydrangeas bloom on new wood and should be pruned in fall or early spring to encourage healthy flowers during its growing season.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 3 feet to 5 feet high, 3 feet to 5 feel wide
• Care: Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil

Mountain Hydrangeas

Like bigleaf hydrangeas, mountain hydrangeas can also have mophead or lacecap flower heads. The main difference between the two comes down to size. "Mountain hydrangeas are much smaller when it comes to both their shrub height (2 to 3 feet) and their flowers; however, they are survivors—they can live in extremely harsh climates, making them incredibly resilient plants," says Zaratsian.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 3 feet to 5 feet high, 3 feet to 5 feel wide
• Care: Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil
  

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