Quick Hydrangea Tips
Hydrangea arborescens
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea): Native to woodlands in Eastern US. Large round flowers, usually white. Blooms on new growth. Provide afternoon shade. Prune in late winter or early spring during dormancy.
Hydrangea quercifolia
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): Native to moist woods in Eastern US. Pyramidal shaped flowers, usually white, blooms on old wood. Large oak shaped leaves with great fall color. Provide afternoon shade. Prune as flowers start to fade.
Hydrangea paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata (Panicled Hydrangea, Peegee Hydrangea): Large, pyramidal shaped flowers in summer. Blooms on new growth. Tolerates full sun. Can grow large and can be trained into a single trunk, small tree. Prune in late winter or early spring during dormancy.
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea, Snowball Bush): Large round flowers range from pink, blue or purple shades based on acidity in soil. Acidity changes color to blue shades. Alkalinity changes color to pink shades. Older varieties bloom once on old wood. New varieties are reblooming and bloom on old wood and new growth. Provide afternoon shade. Prune as flowers start to fade.
- Lacecap Hydrangea has flat clusters of small flowers surrounded by a ring of more prominent flowers.
