Types of hydrangeas: the most beautiful varieties for the garden

Here you will find an overview of the most beautiful hydrangea types and varieties: From 'Endless Summer' to 'Annabell' and Co., we present our favourites.

The genus of hydrangeas (Hydrangea) includes a variety of different species. These have their natural origin without exception on the continents of America or Asia. All relevant species are deciduous shrubs, which means that they are leafy in summer and shed their leaves in winter. The star among the hydrangeas is the species originally from Japan Hydrangea macrophylla – also better known as peasant hydrangea. Their characteristic inflorescences are either spherical, but can also be flat like a plate and less heavily studded with the large ornamental flowers. Incidentally, these are only sterile pseudo-flowers.

The flowers that are actually responsible for the seed propagation of hydrangeas are much smaller. They are clearly visible in the center of the plate hydrangeas. Other hydrangea species can also develop panicle-shaped inflorescences. The growth height of hydrangeas is just as variable as the flower shape. Some types of woody shrubs can also climb lofty heights in the garden. The growth height varies from 1.5 m to a maximum of 10 m.

In the following we provide an overview of the most important species and their best varieties within the genus of hydrangeas. Starting with the popular farmer's hydrangea to the exotic Japanese tea hydrangea, we present the most beautiful species and their varieties.

Peasant Hydrangeas – Hydrangea macrophylla

the peasant hydrangea is a beloved star in the home gardens. The color spectrum of the ornamental pseudo-flowers ranges from white to pink to red. With a targeted aluminum fertilization and the right pH value, thanks to the coloring agent delphinidin, pink and red varieties of the Dye hydrangea blue. A bit of a problem, however, is that this species plants its flowers for the following year in sensitive buds in the previous autumn. That makes it difficult Pruning the hydrangea and requires special overwintering measures. With some new varieties, however, this no longer plays a role - some of them are remontant. This means that they bloom again and again throughout the year, even on fresh wood. Some specialized companies also offer the farmer's hydrangea as a high standard that is difficult to cultivate.

Ball-shaped varieties of the peasant hydrangea

As the name suggests, these peasant hydrangeas have ball-shaped inflorescences. Among the ball-shaped peasant hydrangeas, the 'Endless Summer' variety is particularly popular.

• 'Endless Summer': Particularly flowering, remontant variety, which also flowers on new wood; Shape cutting possible without any problems, but not necessary; available in the colors pink and blue
• 'kanmara': Series of varieties with particularly large ball-shaped inflorescences; striking strong dark green foliage; extremely good suitability as a container plant; flowers in delicate watercolor tones; available in the colors rosé, champagne, lilac, pink, pink and white
• 'magical': Series of varieties with very diverse flower shapes; lively color change of the flowers; flowers turning green as they fade; available in the colors white, pink, red and blue/purple
• 'Forever&Ever': Series of varieties with an interesting range of colors in the flower; remontant variety that also flowers on new wood; rather smaller but numerous umbellate inflorescences; available in the colors white, pink, red and blue
• 'You and Me Romance': Variety with a rather flat umbellate inflorescence; very large pseudo flowers; Mock flowers are filled with multiple petals; available in the colors pink and light blue

Plate-shaped varieties of the peasant hydrangea

The plate-shaped inflorescences of these farmer's hydrangea varieties are a very special eye-catcher.

• 'hanabi': Double mock flowers; pure white star-like flowers; slow growing; bad hardiness
• 'Pirate's Gold': Few marginal pseudo-flowers; the yellow-green leaf variegation is more striking; available in the color pink
• 'tiffany': Large marginal pseudo-flowers; the small, fertile flowers trickle little; rich in inflorescences; available in the colors pink and blue

Tip: All hydrangea species need fresh, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6 in order to absorb nutrients well and develop healthily. These conditions can easily be solved with a special peat soil like ours Plantura organic acidic soil getting produced. Although it is peat-reduced, the organic soil creates optimal growth conditions for all types of hydrangeas as well as rhododendrons and azaleas.

Panicle Hydrangeas – Hydrangea paniculata

As the name suggests, the species is Hydrangea paniculata around a hydrangea with paniculate inflorescences. Since they form their flowers on one-year-old, fresh wood, they can be cut back either in autumn or in spring before they sprout. A strong topiary is no problem. It even favors a more compact and highly branched growth form of this hydrangea species. The base color of panicle hydrangeas is a white to cream. With increasing flowering time, however, an interesting color change towards pink or even a strong red can take place, depending on the variety.

• 'grandiflora': Particularly large panicles; Play of colors with continuous flowering from green (bud stage) through white to pink in the stage of withering; vigorous
• 'lime light': large panicles; long-lasting green bud stage, followed by white to light yellow flowers; Inflorescences can be dried well
• 'little lime': Undemanding but flowering variety; compact growth; Color play of delicate tones from lime green to white to soft pink
• ,Phantom': panicles very large but compressed in length; compact growth; regular pruning required
• 'Wim's Red': flower spikes very long and airy and loosely covered; white flowers turn bright red as they fade; sprawling growth habit requires a lot of space

Snowball Hydrangeas – Hydrangea arborescents

Snowball hydrangeas attract attention in every garden because of their huge, round inflorescences, which they produce in abundance. They are very robust and extremely hardy. However, the representatives of the species native to North America tend to let the shoots droop under the weight of the large inflorescences. Supporting the shoots can be useful.

the Propagation of Hydrangeas depends on the species. Snowball hydrangeas can easily be propagated by division as they form underground runners. The 'Annabell' variety is particularly popular among snowball hydrangeas.

• 'Annabell': Creamy white and greening with fading; very large umbellate inflorescences; flexible regarding the lighting conditions at the location; vigorous pruning recommended in spring
• 'grandiflora': White flowers; vigorous; supporting the shoots required; very hardy
• 'Haye's Starbust': flower remains beautiful for a long time in the faded green stage; filigree, star-shaped pseudo-flowers; also strong in growth and hardy

Oakleaf Hydrangeas – Hydrangea quercifolia

A special feature of this hydrangea species are the characteristic oak leaf-shaped lobed leaves. The flowers have a panicle-like structure. In autumn, both the striking foliage and the inflorescences are attractive with their attractive colors. Just like Hydrangea macrophylla also forms the Oakleaf Hydrangea their flowers already in autumn. A generous pruning would therefore endanger the coming flowering.

Velvet Hydrangea – Hydrangea sargentiana

the velvet hydrangea owes its name to its thickened, elongated and velvety leaves. The woody shrub is very vigorous and should therefore be given a generous spot in the garden. The same applies here: be careful when cutting, because the flower can be endangered. At an exposed location, measures for winter protection can be useful, because the velvet hydrangea can be sensitive to frost. The inflorescences are plate-shaped with large, sterile, marginal pseudo-flowers.

Climbing Hydrangea – Hydrangea petiolaris

the Climbing Hydrangea has with its climbing habit in the genus Hydrangea a unique position. Its white flowers are also plate-shaped with marginal, showy pseudo-flowers. The foliage resembles that of Hydrangea macrophylla. A shape cut is not required. However, it is beneficial if weak or dead shoots are regularly removed. This species also develops the flower buds in the previous autumn, so protection against cold temperatures - especially at the time of budding - can be useful. More on how to Pruning climbing hydrangeas should, find out here.

Japanese Tea Hydrangea – Hydrangea serrata

This own hydrangea species is often combined with the plate-shaped varieties of the Hydrangea macrophylla mistaken. In fact, they share many similarities due to the identical geographic origins of both species. However, the plate-shaped inflorescences of the Japanese tea hydrangea are much smaller. And it is also below the stature height Hydrangea macrophylla. The compact growing species scores with an early start of flowering and more pronounced winter hardiness. That makes them superior, because the Japanese tea hydrangea also lays the buds for the following flowering in autumn. A cut is therefore not advisable, especially since it has a small, well-branched growth habit anyway. Her flowers can also take on the colors white, pink and red, and can be turned blue or purple with aluminum fertilization and the right pH.

Once you have decided on one of the many hydrangea varieties, the next step is the des planting the hydrangea. You can find all important information about this in this article.