Hydrangeas

I have early memories of a beautiful row of tall blue hydrangeas growing along my grandma’s back porch.  The big ball shaped flower clusters like those I remember are what typically first come to mind when many of us think of hydrangeas.  These are Hydrangea macrophylla (meaning big leafed), and have the unique trait of changing flower color depending on the acidity of the soil.  Color can range from blues and purples to pinks (sometimes all on the same plant!)  The colorful petals are technically bracts with the tiny true flowers hidden in the bracts’ center or beneath.  There are a ton of cultivars available today which vary in flower size, form, and intensity of color.  Most of today’s varieties are more manageable in size than what grandma grew, and many have the added benefit of re-blooming.  I think of them as the Aunt Pittypats of the flower world – too much sun or too dry and they spend much of the time wilting – but, provide a spot in bright shade with consistent moisture and you will be well rewarded.

There are other hydrangeas which may not come first to mind, but are definitely worth considering.  Hydrangea arborescens, or smooth hydrangea, is a small to intermediate sized shrub native to moist woodlands of the SE.  The ball shaped blooms of this species are not affected by soil acidity and typically are white.  Pink varieties have recently been introduced. 

Another SE woodland native is Hydrangea quercifolia or oakleaf hydrangea.  This medium to large shrub has white cone shaped flower heads which often develop pink or red tones as they age.  This species is more sun and drought tolerant than H. macrophylla or H. arborescens.  The lobed leaves have good fall color.  

Don’t have shade?  You can still grow hydrangeas!  Hydrangea paniculata, or panicle hydrangea, prefers full sun to partial shade.  These vigorous medium to large shrubs cover themselves with white cone shaped blooms in mid-summer, later than other hydrangeas.  Panicle flowers also develop pink and red tones as they age, eventually drying on the plant and remaining into winter.