The following is a very informative guest post by the authors at FTD
FRESH.
Hydrangeas are a
classic flower that are a favorite amongst florists and gardeners. Their large,
round flower heads are what distinguish them from other flowers. But did you
know that there are five main types of hydrangeas?
Although blue
and purple hydrangeas are one of the first colors that come to
mind, most species are actually white. In addition, hydrangea leaves can vary
from bigleaf, to oakleaf types that display bright colors during the fall.
To help you find the
right hydrangea for your home and garden, we’ve outlined the five main types of
hydrangeas and their unique and distinguishing factors including: growing
conditions, flower shapes and different flower colors. We’ve also created
a visual guide so that you can easily reference the different
characteristics of each hydrangea type.
Types
of Hydrangeas
1. Bigleaf Hydrangea
Known by their
scientific name as Hydrangea macrophylla, bigleaf hydrangeas are
the most common type of hydrangea. Other common names include florist’s
hydrangea, garden hydrangea, and French hydrangea. Chances are the hydrangeas
at your local florist’s shop are bigleaf hydrangeas.
There are three main
types of bigleaf hydrangeas:
1. Mophead hydrangeas are the most recognizable and popular
hydrangea due to their large puffy flower heads. Their flowers can be purple,
blue, or pink, and they thrive in hardiness zone 6. The flower buds of mophead
hydrangeas can be sensitive to the cold, and therefore may not survive the
winter months.
2. Lacecap hydrangeas are almost identical to mophead
hydrangeas with the only difference existing in its flowers. They have tiny
fertile flower buds in the center, with showy flowers that circle the edge of
the flower head. These showy flowers are sterile, and their only purpose is to
attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the fertile buds in the
center. Like mophead hydrangeas, they thrive in hardiness zone 6.
3. Mountain hydrangeas are the least common type of bigleaf
hydrangea. Scientifically known as Hydrangea serrata, it bears a similar
resemblance to lacecap hydrangeas with its flattened heads but has much smaller
flowers and leaves. Mountain hydrangeas have hardier buds and thrive in
hardiness zone 5 — making them a great choice for areas with late winter cold
snaps.
True to its name, the
characteristic that distinguishes the bigleaf hydrangeas from other types of
hydrangeas is their leaf size. Bigleaf hydrangeas leaves can grow to about
4”-6” long and 3”-5” wide. The leaves are thick, shiny and heart-shaped with
short stems.
Bigleaf hydrangeas
prefer shade but not too much shade, as it can result in reduced flowering.
Their bloom times occur during June and July and they prefer moist and
well-drained soil. It is important to keep the bigleaf hydrangeas watered on a
consistent basis as they are sensitive to drought.
It is possible to
change the color of your hydrangeas by altering the acidity of the soil. Acidic
soil at pH 5.5 or below, will produce blue flowers. Neutral or alkali soils at
pH 6.5 and higher, will produce pink flowers. For soil with a pH between 5.5
and 6.5, either purple flowers or a combination of blue and pink flowers will
be produced.
2. Smooth Hydrangea
Also known as wild
hydrangeas, the smooth hydrangea is native to the United States. It is a large
shrub that can grow up to six feet tall, and is usually planted as a hedge
plant. It’s scientific name, Hydrangea arborescens, is derived from
the word “arbor” meaning tree due to its branching patterns
and size.
Unlike bigleaf
hydrangeas, the smooth hydrangea can tolerate hotter climates and thrive in
hardiness zones 4 to 9. Their bloom time occurs between June and September and
their flowers are typically white and smaller than the bigleaf varieties. Upon
first opening, their flowers will appear green and whiten as they mature. The
smooth hydrangea is a low-maintenance plant and can prefers to be exposed to
full sun and partial shade within the same day.
The most striking
cultivar of smooth hydrangea is the “Annabelle,” — which is a name that is
commonly used to refer to all smooth hydrangeas. The name is inspired by the
town of Anna, Illinois, where the first smooth hydrangea was first discovered
in the 1960s. The Annabelle produces white, round flower heads that look like
large snowballs and can grow to be 12 inches in diameter.
3. Panicle Hydrangea
Panicle
hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata, are known for their long panicles
from which their large flowers bloom. Their cone-shaped panicles can range from
six to 18 inches long, as opposed to the bulb shaped flower heads of other
hydrangeas. Their flowers will first appear as white, but as the plant grows
older, the flowers may turn pink.
Out of all the
hydrangeas, panicle hydrangeas are the most cold-hardy, and can thrive in
hardiness zones four to seven. Native to Japan and China, they are one of the
few types of hydrangeas that need several hours of sun and can even tolerate
full sun. They flower from mid to late summer and the flowers can last a long
time.
Because panicle
hydrangeas have such persistent flowers, they are great for drying or for use
as cut flowers to decorate your home. Their unique cone-shaped height makes
them a great addition to any bouquet or centerpiece.
The PeeGee or
‘Grandiflora’ hydrangea is the most popular cultivar of panicle hydrangeas. As
with all panicle hydrangeas, they grow into large shrubs and can easily be
pruned into trees. However, the PeeGee hydrangea in particular can grow
exceptionally large and reaching heights of up to 25 feet.
4. Oakleaf Hydrangea
The oakleaf hydrangea
is named for its foliage which is shaped like oak tree leaves. In fact, its
scientific name,Hydrangea quercifolia, is derived from Latin word
“quercifolia” which literally translates into “oakleaf.”
Not only do its leaves
look like oak tree leaves, the oakleaf hydrangea leaves turn color during the
fall as well and are the only type of hydrangeas that do this. Their leaves can
range from golden orange and bright red, to deep mahogany—making them one of
the most attractive shrubs for your fall garden.
The oakleaf hydrangea
is one of the few hydrangeas native to the United States. The only other
hydrangea that’s native to the US is the smooth hydrangea. The oakleaf
hydrangea has white cone-shaped flower heads (similar to those of a panicle
hydrangea) and can come in two forms: single blossom and double-blossom. Just
like the panicle hydrangea, its flowers will gradually turn pink as the plant
matures.
Sturdier than its
cousins, the oakleaf hydrangea can withstand a wider range of climate
conditions than most bigleaf hydrangeas. Oakleaf hydrangeas can survive drier
conditions, and are more winter hardy. Unlike mopheads, these oakleaf hydrangeas
need drier, well-drained soil as they are highly sensitive to water log.
The oakleaf hydrangea
is a popular choice for gardens because of their long-term benefits. Their
flowers bloom in early summer and last until late summer. When fall begins,
their leaves steal the show by turning into attractively bright orange and red
colors. When planting them in your garden, avoid areas with deep shade as too
much shade can actually cause their fall foliage colors to fade. Oakleaf
hydrangeas thrive in hardiness zones five through nine.
5. Climbing Hydrangea
The climbing
hydrangea, Hydrangea animola ssp. petiolaris, is the most distinct
type of hydrangea because it is actually a vine. The climbing hydrangea is
native to Asia and is also commonly called “Japanese hydrangea vine.” Native to
Asia, the climbing hydrangea is becoming increasingly popular for its ability
to climb up walls and other structures — even reaching up to 80 feet!
It takes a patient
gardener to reap the benefits of the climbing hydrangea as it is a slow-growing
plant that can take three to four years to show signs of growth. Once matured,
these white hydrangeas with lacecap-like flowers will bloom that are known for
their pleasant fragrance. Bloom time for the climbing hydrangea occurs from early
to mid summer and it is hardy in zones four through eight.
When planting climbing
hydrangeas are grown as vines, keep in mind that they need substantial support
for their thick and heavy vines. Although they are one of the few flowering
vines that tolerate shade, they do prefer full sun or partial shade, but never
full shade. Alternatively, climbing hydrangeas can be grown as shrubs when they
don’t have a supporting structure and can reach three to four feet in height.
How
to make your hydrangea bloom
A common problem that
gardeners have is that their blooming can be unreliable. A plant that bloomed
abundantly this year, may not bloom at all the next. Here are the three main
reason why your hydrangea is not blooming.
1. Too much shade – Hydrangeas prefer shade, but too much can
reduce flowering. Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer more shade than panicle hydrangeas
which prefer full sun.
2. Improper pruning – Different hydrangea types flower on
different years’ growths. Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas flower on the previous
year’s growth so if you prune them during the fall, winter or spring, you are
removing potential flower buds. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on the
current year’s growth, so pruning in early summer would eliminate the potential
flower buds for the year.
3. Unfavorable weather – Most hydrangea species are highly
sensitive to weather changes. For hydrangea types that flower on previous
year’s growths, weather conditions that damage the plant during the fall or
winter can greatly reduce flowering in the summer. Damage can occur anytime
before the plant is completely dormant, and most damage occurs due to freezes
when temperatures drop below the norm during early fall, late spring, or
winter.
Share this Image On Your Site
Guide to 7 Types of Hydrangeas
It’s easy to see how
the hydrangea has become such a timeless flower. From
home gardens to wedding centerpieces, it’s easy to incorporate these classic
flowers into your decor. Use the guide below to help you identify the seven
different types of hydrangeas and help you choose the one that’s best for your
area so that you can enjoy their bountiful blooms year after year.
Image Sources
I hope you enjoyed the guest post from FTD Fresh. FTD FRESH.is committed to connecting people through
life's simple pleasures. Whether it's sharing about how to brighten your home
and garden with flowers or offering decor tips, we aim to bring together people
who see beauty in the little things.
As Always...Happy Gardening!
