5 Main Types of Hydrangeas

Cityline Mars

This mophead bigleaf works well in sun to part sun. The variegated petals (meaning they’re not all a solid color, but are edged in one color and move into a second color) typically bloom pink, but in more acidic soils (or by adding aluminum sulfate), it will bloom blue. This is a dwarf variety, so it doesn’t need to be pruned heavily to stay compact.

Zinfin Doll

This bigleaf mophead boasts a clever name and the full blooms to support it! One of the first hydrangeas to bloom, the flowers emerge pure white and then change to bright pink from the bottom up as they age. Strong stems keep the flowers upright in the garden and make them great additions in bouquets and arrangements.

Let's Dance Big Easy

Another bigleaf hydrangea that’s been cultivated so the mophead flowers bloom relentlessly all season. The oversize blooms emerge green, morph to pink, and often turn green again. As with other bigleafs, the default color tends to be in the pink and red range unless you have more acidic soil.

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Tuff Stuff

A delicate lacecap, this is one of the most reliable hydrangea for reblooming. This one’s got compact, double blooms that come in blue or pink, depending on your soil. The flowers resemble water lilies and are a hardy pick for gardeners in northern zones.

Gatsby Moon

This native oakleaf hydrangea has what’s known as double florets, meaning you get a really full, conical bloom that turns green as it ages on the plant. These can tolerate shade up to 4 hours and full sun.

Gatsby Pink

This oakleaf variety’s blooms start off a pure white and morph into a vibrant pink. The deep green leaves turn to a deep merlot once the fall weather hits.

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Incrediball

This super-hardy smooth hydrangea boasts blooms up to a foot wide. This particular variety flowers a lime green and changes to a bright white and then back to green. Their sturdy stems are flop-resistant making them excellent in bouquets and arrangements.

Invincibelle Ruby

This smooth hydrangea has ruby red buds that burst open into a lighter pink flower with deep edges. Its leaves are deep green and really set off the vibrant bloom. This one’s easy to maintain and blooms best in an area that gets at least six hours of sun each day.

Limelight

This panicle hydrangea is a garden favorite. The pistachio-colored blooms are a total knockout planted as a hedge or dotted into your garden bed. As fall sets in, the blooms change to blush and then a deep pink. They can be pruned into excellent tree forms in your garden.

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Climbing Hydrangea

This climbing hydrangea (anomala petiolaris) produces heart-shaped leaves with large white clusters of flowers. It climbs high in sun or shade, but in the Deep South and western zones 9 and 10, afternoon shade is a must.

Erynn Hassinger is the Design Director of Country Living Magazine.

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