Elegant oakleaf is one of the easiest types of hydrangea to grow. It's also one of the showiest, thanks to its big clusters of white summertime flowers, attractive peeling bark, and textured foliage that turns brilliant shades of purple-red in fall.
All they need is well-drained soil, some water and a little bit of shade during hot summer days. Find out even more about hydrangea care in our Complete Hydrangea Guide! Oakleaf varieties are the easiest type of hydrangeas for beginners to grow.
The “beginner” hydrangea, or one that requires the lowest maintenance, are the oakleaf varieties. Not only do they tolerate colder weather and can withstand drought, but they are also more resistant to diseases and pests.
Panicle hydrangeas are cold hardy and drought tolerant
Panicle hydrangeas are not only the easiest hydrangeas to grow, but some newer varieties are also drought tolerant and quick growing. They can also range from dwarf varieties suitable for containers or entrance plantings to tall, single-trunked specimens.
Panicle hydrangeas are among the most reliably blooming and cold-tolerant hydrangeas available to today's gardeners.
They are traditionally Annabelle but there is a new more recent, modified variety called Incrediball. They are virtually indistinguishable from Annabelle with the only difference being that Incrediball have strong stems that don't flop from the weight of the bloom or after a rain storms.
If watered properly, Endless Summer® Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) will bloom on both old and new wood throughout the summer. Another advantage to planting these repeat blooming hydrangeas is that if there is a cold winter, it will only kill back the early flower buds.
For instance, in areas with winter freezing and snow, hydrangeas should be planted in early spring or early fall (as soon as summer heat breaks). In warmer regions with mild winters, the window for planting hydrangeas is longer, from fall all the way through to early spring.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and chest tightness. It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use more than 2 grams of dried hydrangea rhizome/root at a time. It is also LIKELY UNSAFE to use hydrangea for long period of time.
Can hydrangeas grow in full sun? Hydrangeas like morning sun, but do not do well if they're in direct, hot afternoon sun. Partial shade in the later parts of the day is ideal for these beauties.
Let's Dance Rhythmic Blue
This is a great option for gardeners looking for a low maintenance hydrangea. This hydrangea is very easy to grow and requires no pruning! 'Rhythmic Blue' has deep blue flowers that will bloom from mid summer to early fall.
The most common type of hydrangea is a Bigleaf, or French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). These are categorized in mophead (big puffy balls), lacecap (similar to mophead but with tiny buds in the center) and mountain (similar to lacecap, but extremely cold hardy with smaller blooms).
Wrap florist's tape around a small bunch of tulips. Mix them with sprigs of baby's breath or wax flowers to replace hydrangea blossoms in your centerpiece.
Most hydrangeas prefer partial sun with full sun in the morning, followed by some afternoon shade. This is especially true for the Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla). Some varieties are more tolerant of full sun. Most hydrangeas will thrive in fertile, well-draining soils that receive plenty of moisture.
East Side. The east side of the house is the best planting location, as it gets the morning and afternoon sun. This is the best side of the house for your hydrangeas, traditionally.
Bigleaf is divided into two flower types – lacecap and mophead. Both are among the most heat-tolerant hydrangeas, although mophead prefers a bit more shade. Panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) – Panicle hydrangea is one of the most sun tolerant hydrangeas.
Endless Summer hydrangea is a collection of several Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars that bloom all summer long. Like all hydrangeas, they do best in soil with plenty of organic matter so amending the soil before planting is important for plant health and blooming.
The Endless Summer® and BloomStruck® hydrangeas are the same species, but different cultivars. BloomStruck® was designed to be identical to the Endless Summer® with a few modifications in hardiness. Endless Summer® is particularly susceptible to mildew growth and disease.
Panicle hydrangeas are a fantastic choice for adding late-season interest to your garden. As other plants start to fade, panicle hydrangeas burst into bloom, stealing the spotlight with their showy panicles of flowers. Their long-lasting flowers persist well into the fall, extending the beauty of your garden.
Bigleaf Hydrangeas | Hydrangea macrophylla. Also called French hydrangeas, florist's hydrangeas, & hortensia. This is the most common type of hydrangea found in the United States. There are 3 different types of hydrangea macrophylla; mophead, lacecap and mountain hydrangeas.
Panicle hydrangeas are great for privacy screens because they can grow up to 15 feet tall and are relatively easy to care for. 'Limelight' hydrangea is one of the most popular choices with lime-green flowers that turn pink as they mature and can grow up to 6 feet tall.