How tall do hydrangeas grow? Information on sizes and growth per year

The hydrangea (Hydragenea) from the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae) has been loved and cultivated as a garden plant for centuries for its showy inflorescences. They originally come from Asia. Most species are deciduous and relatively to very hardy. The lush inflorescences lure with eye-catching colors and shapes. Around 100 species of Hydragenea are known. Depending on their growth, they can be planted as a solitary shrub, group planting, ground cover, or even as a climber and informal hedge.

height and cut

You often hear that hydrangeas should not be pruned. That's not quite right. Depending on the desired shape or age, it may be necessary to trim them. What the hydrangea does not tolerate, however, are radical pruning. If you want a certain shape and height for your garden, you should pay attention to which variety you are buying when you are shopping. The different Hydragenea species and cultivated varieties offer a wide range, also in terms of height, from 50 cm to over seven meters.

bush, tree

As a bush, the hydrangea can come in almost any color and size. Larger Hydragenea species that grow broad and sprawling are often placed in the garden as a single eye-catcher. Bush hydrangeas are better suited for group planting, they are smaller and more graceful and can be planted in groups on a bed.
It is also possible to grow certain species into a tree with regular pruning.
Below are some examples of species and varieties suitable for these plantings:

Peasant hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

The farmer's hydrangea is one of the most popular hydrangeas to grow in our pots and gardens. It is also known as garden hydrangea, potted hydrangea or Japanese hydrangea. It is vigorous and can grow up to two meters high.
Popular varieties are:

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Alpenglow'

globose red flowers; Annual growth 25 cm; Height up to 1.50 m

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Masya'

very large pink spherical flowers; Annual growth 50 cm; Height up to 1.30 m

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Harmony'

grows particularly strong (3 m in height and width) with long umbels of flowers

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Snow Queen'

height up to two meters; white, long flowers; Leaves turn dark red in autumn

Velvet Hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera)

An extraordinary shrub hydrangea is the velvet hydrangea, also known as rough hydrangea. It stands out due to its sometimes huge, velvety leaves. The growth is flat spherical and up to two meters high. Due to its special appearance, it is made for a single position.
Popular varieties are:

Hydrangea aspera 'Macrophylla'

large umbels of flowers; large leaves; white false flowers with lilac true flowers inside; can grow up to 3.50 m high

Hydrangea aspera 'Hydrangea aspera ssp. sargentiana'

large leaves; bicolor (mock) flowers white and pink; usually stays under two meters

Hedge

A hydrangea hedge does not offer year-round privacy or noise protection. It is also not suitable as a dense fencing for a property. Therefore, one also speaks of an informal hedge. Informal hedges are defined as a loose demarcation that tends to indicate a boundary through alternating, flowering, loosely growing natural shrubs. They do not represent an insurmountable, dense obstacle, such as a hedge of thuja or privet.

However, a hydrangea hedge is something very special and there are a number of types and varieties that are ideal for it. They are generally vigorous and easy to cut back. Below are some examples of hydrangea species and varieties that are particularly suitable for hedges:

Oak-Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

The flowers of this variety are panicle-shaped. As a shrub, they usually reach a height of up to two meters. The beautiful large leaves turn a bright red-purple in autumn. The oak leaf hydrangeas tend to grow very wide, which should be considered when creating a hedge. It grows 20 to 30 cm a year. A big advantage for hedge planting is that they tolerate almost all locations from sunny to shady and can also tolerate wind.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Burgundy'

white paniculate (mock) flowers; leaves turn pink in autumn; height up to 1.50 m; Width up to 2 m

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Harmony'

particularly large, white (illusory) flowers: branches sometimes have to be supported; High up to 1.50 m; Width up to 2 m

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen'

branches very stable with large flowers; splendid autumn coloring of the foliage: height up to 1.50 m; Width up to 2 m

Forest hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

The bushes of the forest hydrangea grow a little taller than the oak-leaved hydrangea. They are also very well suited for a hedge in terms of their appearance, their growth and their ability to be cut. Visually appealing varieties are:

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

also called ball hydrangea 'Annabelle'; light green to white, spherical, large flowers; annual increase in height up to 80 cm; but must be cut back strongly every year; average height 1.50 m

Hydrangea Arborescens 'Grandiflora'

most widespread; many creamy white flowers; grows wide, dense and upright; height up to 2 m; width approx. 1.50 m

Peasant hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

There are also some breeds of peasant hydrangeas that are ideal for hedge planting:

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Alpenglow'

dark pink to red flowers; extremely easy to care for; very fast and dense growing: up to 1.50 m high; width up to 130 cm; approx. 25 cm growth per year

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bodensee'

dense, globular, blue-purple flowers; very hardy; Annual growth 20 to 30 cm; height up to 1.30 m; Width 1.20 m

Group planting, ground cover

Using several hydrangeas in a bed as a group or as ground cover is not very common. The breeds of plate hydrangeas (also: mountain hydrangeas) are particularly suitable for this purpose. They remain very low by nature and enrich many beds with their plate-shaped, colored umbels.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata)

Hydrangea serrata 'Blue Deckle'

light blue to soft pink flowers; height 1.20 m; slow growing

Hydrangea serrata 'Bluebird'

light to dark blue flowers; height up to 1.50 m; Wide 100 to 125 cm; Annual growth 10 to 35 cm

Hydrangea serrata 'Koreana'

also: dwarf hydrangea 'Koreana'; many pink flowers; compact, low growth; forming runners; still relatively unknown; height and width approx. 50cm; Annual growth up to 15 cm

Tree

Raising a hydrangea as a tree is rare. This works best with the panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata). It is very vigorous and grows several meters high. They are characterized by elongated lilac-like flower spikes. Popular breeds of this relatively unknown variety of hydrangea include:

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora'

most widespread; panicles of white-pink flowers up to 30 cm long; growth height approx. 2m; Annual growth 20 to 35 cm

Hydrangea paniculata 'Unique'

creamy white panicles; Height up to 3 m: Annual growth up to 30 cm

Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva'

small, late-blooming panicles; loose, upright growth; broad bushy; height 2.50 to 3.50 m; Annual growth up to 35 cm

Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu'

fragrant, large white flowers; very willing to grow in width and height; height up to 3 m; Annual growth up to 40 cm

climbing plant

A very unusual growth form in our gardens is the hydrangea as a climbing plant. But there is the white-flowered Hydrangea petiolaris. This climbing hydrangea can grow over 15 m long. They form small adhesive roots and climb up walls, trees or other supports. The climbing hydrangea is best suited for shady north-west and west walls. For a climbing plant, however, it grows rather slowly.

Conclusion

In fact, hydrangeas offer one or more perfectly suited species for every purpose. Especially as a tree, as a ground cover and as a hedge, you rarely see them. Almost all species attract attention with their lush flowers and the foliage also turns the most beautiful shades of red in autumn. This and their hardiness compensate for losing their foliage in winter.

Learn more about potted plants