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My hydrangeas are beginning to blossom. This spring’s cooler, rainy weather has given my Annabelles a boost I haven’t seen from them in years. This year, their flower heads are massive and so purely white that they gleam in the sunlight and shimmer in the moonlight. Their foliage is deep, forest green and not one leaf is wilted. At this rate, I’ll be able to enjoy them all summer long, at least until the rains stop and I have to remember to water them daily. As soon as I forget a day or two, then the downhill battle to save them begins.
For years, old fashioned hydrangeas were one of my favorite flowering shrubs to include in my gardens. Since we’ve moved here however, my attitude towards them has changed a bit. They seem to require constant babying, with lots of water, lots of fertilizer, complete afternoon shade and the right pruning at the right time of year. As beautiful as hydrangeas are, I’m not convinced that all of my old favorites are worth the time, effort and resources it takes to keep them looking their best. I’m beginning to think that today there might be better choices.
Worldwide there are more than 80 different species of hydrangeas. The vast majority are native to Japan, China, Korea and Russia (I was so surprised to learn that the Russian species tend to be found in Northern Siberia. Somehow that just doesn’t compute with me.) A very few — four at most — are native to North America. Of those four, only three are commonly seen in residential and commercial landscaping.
In addition to our natives, we here in the United States tend to gravitate towards seven distinct species of hydrangeas and their cultivars, of which there are literally hundreds. If you aren’t familiar with the term, cultivar stands for cultivated variety, or types of plants that have been bred for specific characteristics like size, color or disease resistance. Because of the modifications necessary to create cultivars, they may or may not supply pollinators with the same nutrients or be as accessible as the original plants were.
For years, Bigleaf hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla, were the go-to plants for the shade garden. Their huge blooms really stood out in the landscape, but in most situations, they would bloom only once a season. Soon though, hybridizers began working with the species to produce plants like Endless Summer that would reliably rebloom throughout the summer. At about the same time gems like Annabelle and the first green blossomed hydrangea, Limelight, began to flood the market. Gardeners added them to their landscapes and pleased with the results, eagerly looked for newer varieties that garden centers offered.
The quest for the best hydrangea variety is still in full swing. This spring alone, I noticed at least five new plants being introduced by different companies, each with a special characteristic to set it apart from all the others. With the broad range of hydrangea cultivars available today, it’s almost impossible to decide which one to try. Knowing the species the cultivar is developed from – in essence, its foundation plant can help guide decision-making. We’ve put together a short, printable listing that describes the seven most popular species of hydrangeas.
Click here to view it.
As a group, hydrangeas prefer shaded spots in rich, fertile soil. Soil pH is not usually critical to today’s plants, although it can affect the color and intensity of the bloom. What’s especially exciting is that colors today don’t stop at white; there’s a whole range of creams, pinks, reds and blues. Several even have green tinted blossoms. Most hydrangeas like consistent moisture, but a few, especially the natives, can be somewhat drought tolerant once established. Although some of the older varieties do occasionally fight powdery mildew in highly humid climates, most of today’s choices are resistant.
Hydrangea cultivars vary in size, with some reaching 2 to 3 feet, with others reaching up to 10 feet. Climbers have been known to top 50 feet! Tall hydrangeas are the perfect choice for a hedge in a shaded part of the yard, while the midsized are gorgeous specimen plants or excellent as foundation plantings. Smaller varieties are great for massing or can do well in containers to brighten up shady corners.
Now that I know about all of the hydrangea choices available today, I know that I will be able to find a variety that will work here in my less than perfect garden. That’s something to look forward to. I hope that you have success too.
