The Best Hydrangeas Worth Planting in Your Garden

Navigating the multitude of hydrangea varieties can feel overwhelming when selecting the perfect ones for your garden. To simplify your decision-making process, The Market at Grelen has curated essential insights to guide you. Dan Gregg, Grelen Nursery founder, alongside plant expert Darren Marsh, suggest focusing on these

four hydrangea types when planning your garden.

1. BIG LEAF/LARGE LEAF HYDRANGEA

Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla - Native to East Asia

Looking to add a vibrant splash of color to your shaded garden? Big leaf hydrangeas thrive in environments with partial to heavy shade, making them an ideal choice for shaded areas of your garden.

One of the most captivating aspects of these hydrangeas is their ability to display a spectrum of colors ranging from delicate pinks to serene blues, influenced significantly by the pH in the soil. A lower pH tends to result in blue flowers, while a higher pH favors pink hues. The pH levels can be regulated by adding either lime or sulfur to soil.

If you are seeking a more traditional look, there are hybrid varieties of big leaf hydrangeas available that showcase timeless white or vibrant red blooms. These hybrids offer alternatives to the classic pink and blue hues, providing versatile options to suit your garden's aesthetic preferences. Whether you're aiming to create a serene and cool-toned ambiance with blue hydrangeas or seeking the bold statement of red or the purity of white, big leaf hydrangeas offer a range of possibilities to enhance the beauty of your shaded garden space.

Big leaf hydrangeas, known for their large, vibrant blooms, have a unique blooming cycle that occurs on new growth originating from old stems. It's crucial to avoid pruning these plants back below 18-24 inches from the ground, as doing so can restrict their ability to bloom the following year. These hydrangeas are also susceptible to late frosts, which can damage stems and prompt the plant to produce new shoots from the ground. While this results in lush foliage, it often leads to a season without blooms. Certain cultivars like the Endless Summer series bloom on current year's growth, reducing the risk of a "flowerless season" caused by frost damage.

Size: 4-5’ x 4-5’, Large round flowers Zone: USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9 (thriving in locations that tolerate heat - in zone 5, the flower buds that form in winter can be damaged by the cold & can prevent flowers from blooming. Exposure: partial to heavy shade Color: - Pink to Blue - available in white or red hybrids  (No significant Fall color) Plant time:  Best in Spring or Fall - needing more attention if planted in the summer months Bloom time: Late Spring to Summer Prune: Best to prune in Late Summer or Early Fall. 

Varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla available at The Market at Grelen:

Hydrangea macro. 'Wedding Gown" Hydrangea macro 'Cherry Go Around'  Hydrangea m. ‘Let's Dance Big Band' Hydrangea macro. 'Mathilda Gutges' Hydrangea macro 'Summer Crush' Hydrangea Macro 'Wee Bit Grumpy' 

2. PANICLE

Botanical Name: Hydrangea paniculata

Renowned for their tenacious resilience across a wide spectrum of climates, Panicle hydrangeas stand out as coveted varieties thriving from USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9.

Their exceptional ability to endure harsh winters and scorching summers has earned them accolades, alongside their remarkable drought tolerance and dynamic color transformations with each passing season.

These hydrangeas truly shine in full sun, where they unveil their full splendor by blooming on both old and new wood. From pristine whites to vibrant hues of red and pink, their ever-changing palette paints a stunning picture throughout the year.

Towering up to an impressive 12 feet, standard Panicle hydrangeas command attention and add a touch of grandeur to any garden landscape.

Size: up to 12’ (dwarf varieties stay 3-6' tall.)  Beautiful large cone shaped flowers Zone: USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9, including zone 9A, can tolerate both cold and heat. Exposure: Full sun Color: White to red/pink through the seasons – also known for it’s beautiful yellow Fall color Plant time: Late Spring or Early Fall Bloom time: Early Summer to Fall,

multiple phases of bloom depending on variety Prune: Winter or Early Spring

Varieties of Hydrangea paniculata available at The Market at Grelen:

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' 

Hydrangea paniculata. ‘Limelight Prime' 

Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Lime'  

Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Quick Fire' 

Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky Prime 

Hydrangea paniculata 'Puffer Fish'  Hydrangea paniculata “Little Lamb” Hydrangea paniculata “Little Lime”

3. SMOOTH/SNOWBALL HYDRANGEAS

Botanical Name: Hydrangea arborescens (Native to Virginia)

These Hydrangeas, native to our home state of Virginia, are not only beautiful but also perfectly suited for sunny spots in your garden. They can tolerate full sun, ensuring they achieve their fullest and most vibrant blooms. Known for their resilience, these hydrangeas bloom on both old and new wood, providing a continuous display of delicate flowers throughout the growing season.

Ideal for creating hedges or as striking specimen plants, these hydrangeas are versatile additions to any landscape. Most varieties typically bloom in elegant shades of white, adding a touch of classic beauty to your outdoor space. Standard varieties of these hydrangeas can reach heights of 4 to 6 feet, making them suitable for both garden borders and standalone features.

Whether you're looking to create a stunning hedge for privacy or seeking a standout focal point in your garden, these native Virginia hydrangeas offer both aesthetic appeal and practicality, ensuring a picturesque garden setting year after year.

Size: 4-6 tall x 1-6 ft wide depending on variety,

beautiful sphere shaped flowers Zone: USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9 Exposure: Full sun Color: Mostly White Plant time: Spring or early Fall Bloom time: Late Spring to early Fall Prune: Winter or early Spring

Varieties of Hydrangea arborescens 

available at The Market at Grelen

Hydrangea arb. 'Annabelle' 

Hydrangea arb. 'Haas Halo' 

Hydrangea arb. 'Incrediball' 

Hydrangea arb. 'Invincibelle' 

4. OAK LEAF Botanical Name: (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Renowned for their stunning crimson fall foliage, these hydrangeas grace shaded gardens with year-round splendor, becoming a beloved addition to any landscape.

Thriving in shaded environments, from partial to heavy shade, these hydrangeas are perfect for under trees or along wooded borders. They bloom on both old and new wood, ensuring a continual display throughout the growing season.

Placing them along the woodland's edge enhances natural beauty and provides striking contrast against the foliage. Beginning with white blooms, they transform into vivid reds and pinks in the fall, enriching the garden's depth.

Standard varieties can reach heights and spreads of up to 15 feet, ideal for hedges or standalone features. Compact dwarf varieties offer similar beauty in more manageable sizes.

Size: 15 ft x 15 ft, Beautiful large cone shaped flowers Zone: USDA Hardiness Zones 5 - 9  Exposure: Part sun Color: Bloom white & turn a beautiful red/pink in the Fall Plant time: Late Fall or Early Spring Bloom time: Late Spring to Summer Prune: Blooms on old and new wood Varieties of Hydrangea arborescens available at The Market at Grelen

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers' 

Hydrangea quercifolia "Snowflake'  

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen' 

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee' 

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Queen of Hearts'

Ready to plant? Check out our next post on how to properly plant your hydrangeas for maximized growth!