Let’s look at the top fifteen most popular varieties of hydrangea.
1. Limelight hydrangea
The Limelight hydrangea is a variety of panicle hydrangea known for its cream-lime flowers and cold hardiness. For those living in areas that experience a harsh winter climate (think Zones 3-4), a Limelight hydrangea can be a beautiful addition to the scenery, as it will be able to withstand the low temperatures that occur in the area.
Another bonus about Limelight Hydrangeas is that they are pretty easy to maintain. Water it at least once a week, although two or three times per week would probably be best if you’re going through hot or dry weather. Also, it can take a spot that gets a lot of sun, partial sun and partial shade, or even filtered sun.
2. Endless Summer hydrangea
The Endless Summer hydrangea is a popular variety of bigleaf hydrangea known for its pink-blue flowers and ability to rebloom over the growing season. Like the Limelight Hydrangea, the Endless Summer Hydrangea is tough and sturdy, so it can sustain itself in a cold, wintery climate. It also offers a lot of options as far as using it as outdoor scenery in the yard.
For optimal growth, plant the Endless Summer Hydrangea in a spot that has nutrient-rich, moist soil and gets full sun during parts of the day but is shaded at other times. This shrub needs only minimal pruning. When doing so, only clip the dead wood that needs to be removed. Leave everything else so the surviving winter flowers stand out. The flowers can be blue, purple, or pink in color.
3. Annabelle hydrangea
The Annabelle hydrangea is a USA-native variety of hydrangea that can withstand quite a wide range of both hot and freezing temperatures. Annabelle is the classic cultivar of hydrangea arborescens (wild hydrangea). It is round, about four to six feet in diameter, and grows to be around three to five feet tall. It is relatively easy to take care of, which can be handy, especially if you’re someone with a busy schedule.
It is pretty normal in regards to how much and how often it likes to be watered. It can grow in soil that isn’t as rich (such as clay soil) as long as the soil drains well. It can do well in full sun or partial shade, and it is typically planted in containers on the patio or added to flower beds. The Annabelle Hydrangea’s prime time is during the summer, and the flowers are stunning when they bloom!
4. Bobo hydrangea
The Bobo hydrangea is a small panicle hydrangea variety. This cultivar only grows to be around three to four feet in width and two to three feet tall, so it can be a perfect addition to the side of a walking path in the yard.
They are also pretty hardy, but they don’t love the heat. Bobo Hydrangeas likes the shade but can also handle the full sun in climates that aren’t extremely hot. They do need nutrient-dense soil that has adequate drainage. This plant can be especially fun for the landscape because it blooms in summer.
When the flowers on a Bobo Hydrangea bloom, they are often in a pyramid or oval shape. The blooms are white when they emerge, then they go through the process of changing to pink and then to purple in color.
5. Little Lime hydrangea
The Little Lime hydrangea is a dwarf version of the popular Limelight panicle hydrangea. This type of hydrangea is the same as the Limelight variety, but it is much smaller. That being said, it isn’t necessarily itty bitty in size. It still grows to be anywhere from three to five feet tall. It can be planted in a container or pot to give a fun, vibrant, decorative element as long as it has good soil, receives a fair amount of water, and has anywhere from partial sun to full sun.
Due to the strength of the Little Lime’s branches, the flowers hold up really well, which makes them pop out even more. A small trim as the seasons transition from winter to spring will do the trick and bring the best blossoming results. The flowers are out to shine all throughout the summer months, and they even change colors! Initially, they start as a green color but then morph into a pink or purple color. In the end, they finish off with a rich burgundy color.
6. Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea
The Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea is a popular variety of panicle hydrangea known for its beautiful white-pink flowers. These plants bloom best in full sun, where they can put on a show of beautiful flowers.
Plant the Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea in a spot that receives full sun unless the weather is particularly warm. In a hotter climate, some shade for part of the day will be good for the plant. Also, ensure it is placed in a spot with enough room, as it can be four to five feet wide and six to seven feet tall.
They have large, beautiful flowers and bloom all throughout the summer. When the Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea blossoms, it is pinkish white at first and then develops a deeper, richer pink or red color.
7. Pinky Winky hydrangea
The Pinky Winky hydrangea is a white-pink variety of panicle hydrangea. The Pinky Winky Hydrangea can add some fun colors and elements of scenery to the landscape. It is pretty decent in size as it grows anywhere from six to eight feet in width and height. This variety of hydrangeas loves the sun, and it is probably the most sun-loving of all of the hydrangeas. It also does well with most soils unless the soil is super wet and dense.
It should be pruned when the seasons transition from winter to spring. A fun aspect of the Pinky Winky Hydrangea is how it has two different flower colors at the same time in addition to the green foliage. Primarily, the dual colors for the flowers will be pink and white, although the pink may sometimes appear to be redder if it has a darker tone.
8. Incrediball hydrangea
The Incrediball hydrangea is a specialty cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens, bred as an improved version of the classic Annabelle Hydrangea. Incrediball hydrangea shrubs have giant rounded flowers held up on strong stems. The flowers are white when they bloom, maturing to a soft green hue.
Something the Incrediball hydrangea is known for is how large and pretty the leaves are. Due to the nature of its appearance, it is often used as a focal point in a yard or landscape design. It is also sometimes used in woodland gardens since it is more adaptable to shade than most other types of cold-hard hydrangeas. They are commonly planted in the fall, can have an incredibly long lifespan, and bloom in the summer months.
9. Quick Fire hydrangea
The Quick Fire hydrangea is a popular early-blooming variety of panicle hydrangea. Quick Fire Hydrangea thrives in the summer and fall seasons. It is pretty hardy and can grow well in areas that receive complete sun or a mix of sun and shade. The Quick Fire Hydrangea is a great option if you want some plants that bloom earlier in the year. It tends to blossom around a month earlier than its other hydrangea counterparts.
The flowers can be rich red, pink, or white, and the leaves burgundy or gold. There is a lot this plant can add to the landscape. In addition, butterflies and bees are especially attracted to it.
10. Little Quick Fire hydrangea
The Little Quick Fire hydrangea is a dwarf version of the full-sized Quick Fire shrub. This type of hydrangea grows somewhat quickly and can reach approximately three to five feet tall. It can do well in the sun, but it will thrive best if it also has shade. Water the plant a couple of times a week, make sure the soil stays moist and drains well, and fertilize it at the beginning of spring with rose or tree fertilizer.
Like the full-size Quick Fire Hydrangea, it blooms earlier than the other hydrangea varieties. Also, following in their footsteps, the flowers start as white and then gradually turn pink or red.
11. Strawberry Sundae hydrangea
The Strawberry Sundae hydrangea is a panicle hydrangea variety known for its stunning pink and white flowers. These specialty shrubs are a great way to brighten up a corner of your landscape (even in cold zones).
The Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea is a medium-sized variety. It can grow to be three to four feet wide and four to five feet tall. It is a great addition to a small garden in a full-sun or partial-sun spot, and it is especially beautiful for scenery in the spring and fall. Water it deeply once a week when the weather is particularly hot. The flowers can be either white or pink in color.
12. Nikko Blue hydrangea
The Nikko Blue hydrangea is an incredibly popular variety of mophead hydrangea with true blue flowers. This plant sells out quickly every spring as pictures of blue hydrangeas flood everyone’s feeds with floral inspiration.
The Nikko Blue hydrangeas are among the taller in size with the different varieties. They grow fast and can be anywhere from four to six feet tall. This plant can be used in the majority of landscape styles. It needs sun and shade, good soil, and lots of water, but it is still pretty easy to take care of and can make a great gift. The blue flowers are particularly neat and can bring unique elements to the garden.
13. Bloomstruck hydrangea
The Bloomstruck hydrangea is another popular mophead hydrangea variety. This cultivar often grows larger in width than in height. When full-grown, it is around four to five feet wide but grows to be a medium height of three to four feet tall. They normally thrive best when they have full sun, although some shade here and there can be good in warmer climates.
The blooming season spans from the beginning of summer through the start of fall. The Bloomstruck has scarlet and red colors, and the flowers are purple and blue, bringing a different combination of colors to your garden. The flowers can also be pinkish depending on the soil’s pH.
14. Summer Crush hydrangea
The Summer Crush hydrangea is a popular pink mophead hydrangea variety. The Summer Crush Hydrangea does pretty well in most hardiness zones, but it grows best when it has some sun and shade for at least the later part of the afternoon. They love a lot of water and will bloom best when they are pruned in the fall.
When the Summer Crush hydrangea blooms, the flowers are red and similar in shade to a raspberry. It has larger leaves with a deep green color that contrasts well with the raspberry-red flowers.
15. Ruby Slippers hydrangea
The Ruby Slippers hydrangea is a popular oakleaf hydrangea variety known for its cream-colored flowers that mature to a rose-colored red. When you’re looking for something to place in a smaller spot, the Ruby Slippers Hydrangea is a great choice to go with! They like shade, do best with moist, rich soil, and are easy to maintain. With the flowers, prune somewhat after they bloom instead of before since they use what they still have from the previous blooming season to flower again.
The flowers look amazing when they blossom in the summer! They begin as a white hue after the flowers come out but transition to a rosy red or pink color later in the season.
