Woodie’s Picks: Four Hydrangeas That Wow In The Early Summer Landscape
It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year in the garden–the long-awaited hydrangea season! Whether you’re going for vibrant and eye-catching or classic and elegant, there is a hydrangea to complete your outdoor space.
In this blog, we will highlight the main types of hydrangeas, their suggested uses, and the benefits they provide to a summer garden. Then, we will shed light on four of our favorite Hydrangeas to shine in the early to mid-summer landscape!
The Main Types of Hydrangeas
When you think of summer hydrangeas, the central vision that likely comes to mind is the large, purple and pink rounded heads of the classic Endless Summer Hydrangea. The Endless Summer variety is a Hydrangea Macrophylla, also known as a ‘Big Leaf Hydrangea.’ But these aren’t the only types of hydrangeas available! Keep reading to learn more about the various types of Hydrangea shrubs.
Bigleaf Hydrangea
As mentioned above, Bigleaf Hydrangeas boast the classic rounded heads of colorful blooms atop large green leafy foliage. The most popular variety is the Endless Summer Hydrangea, which has blooms that range in color from vibrant blues to bold purples and pinks! Bigleaf Hydrangeas grow best in conditions of partial to full shade and regular watering.
The color of your Hydrangea Macrophylla blooms is highly dependent upon the acidity levels of your soil! Highly acidic soils with a pH below 5 create conditions that influence blue blooms, whereas neutral soils result in more purple to pink flowers.
Smooth Hydrangea
Next on the list of gorgeous hydrangea varieties is the Smooth Hydrangea. Botanically referenced as Hydrangea arborescens, Smooth Hydrangeas resemble Bigleaf varieties with their large, rounded flower heads. However, they differ in that their individual flowers are on the smaller side. Additionally, the foliage on Smooth Hydrangeas is thinner and more matte compared to other hydrangea varieties.
Smooth Hydrangeas are also praised for their ability to bloom on new wood, which makes them reliable bloomers even after harsh winters! Smooth Hydrangeas grow best in partial shade and rich, well-draining soils.
Panicle Hydrangea
Next on the list of show-stopping summer hydrangeas is the iconic Hydrangea Paniculata, better known as ‘Panicle Hydrangea.’ Blooming a little later in the summer season, these magnificent specimens sport unique cone-shaped flower heads typically emerging in shades of white and green. Panicle Hydrangeas come in various hues, shapes, and sizes and are known to be one of the most adaptable hydrangea varieties.
While most hydrangeas thrive in partial to full shade, Panicle Hydrangeas grow in sunnier conditions and typically produce more blooms with more sun exposure! You can also look forward to vibrant color changes from whites to greens and reds as the season progresses.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
The next hydrangea type on our list is what fairytale gardens are made of! Oakleaf Hydrangeas, otherwise known as Hydrangea quercifolia, produce a statement with their large oak-shaped leaves and unique flowerheads. Unlike smooth hydrangeas, which bloom on new wood, oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on the previous year's growth (old wood). This means pruning needs to be done after flowering to avoid removing potential flower buds.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are more drought-tolerant than many other hydrangeas, and they can also tolerate deeper shade than some other types.
Benefits of Growing Hydrangeas
Now that you know a little more about the different types of hydrangeas, it is time to dive into the many benefits they provide to a landscape!
Enhanced Beauty and Curb Appeal
The most obvious benefit of incorporating hydrangeas into your landscape is the enhanced beauty and level of curb appeal they provide to your property. These shrubs grow fairly quickly and take up a significant chunk of landscape space with their mass of summer blooms and large leafy foliage.
Support Local Wildlife
In addition to the aesthetic value hydrangeas bring, they also work to support local wildlife! Hydrangeas attract various pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting biodiversity. Their dense foliage also provides shelter and food sources for birds and other small animals, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
Better Your Environment
As if these gorgeous plants haven’t done enough…they also work to better your environment! Hydrangeas have deep root systems that help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly in areas with heavy rainfall.
The Best Hydrangeas For Early Summer Beauty
Now that you understand why hydrangeas are the superior summer shrub, it's time to decide which of the many varieties you will incorporate into your summer garden!
Below are just a few of our favorite varieties to provide you with early summer interest year after year.
Endless Summer Bloomstruck Hydrangea
Since Bigleaf hydrangeas are the most well-known, it’s only natural to start with a well-loved macrophylla cultivar: the Endless Summer Bloomstruck Hydrangea! Blooms emerge in vivid pinks, purples, and blues in early spring. This variety is an improved version of the Original Endless Summer cultivar. Bloomstruck was bred to boast stronger stems, more surviving stem buds, and blooms on both old and new wood, while the Original Endless Summer primarily blooms on new wood.
Climbing Hydrangea
Next on the list is one of the most unique Hydrangea varieties out there–the Climbing Hydrangea! Just as the name suggests, this unique specimen is praised for its impressive ability to climb trellises and arbors. The woody vines paired with the creamy white flower heads that trail up walls will undoubtedly take your breath away! The aerial roots of this plant naturally attach to surfaces and make for a whimsical display each summer.
Little Lime Hydrangea
We very well can’t name our favorite hydrangeas without including the well-loved green-hued Little Lime Hydrangea!
This panicle variety grows unique white to green-tinted blooms that explode with ferocity in the warm mid-summer months. As the season progresses, these green blooms transition to hues of white and rosy pinks. Little Lime makes a bold statement when used in a mass planting along a fence, a flower border, or the sunny edge of a woodland garden. Its dramatic bloom coloration makes it an excellent addition to your cut flower gardens for fresh or dried flowers.
Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea
Last on our list of favorite hydrangeas for bold summer beauty is the Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea. This Hydrangea features large, conical, white flowers that mature to pink and then ruby red. These blooms are held upright above deeply lobed, dark green, oak-like foliage that turns brilliant mahogany red in the fall. The shrub itself is compact and well-rounded, reaching 3-4 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide.
Shop Hydrangeas Online
Whether you want to add dramatic color, vertical interest, or texture-rich foliage to your landscape, hydrangeas are a sure way to make an impact. With varieties that thrive in sun or shade, bloom on old or new wood, and offer long-lasting seasonal beauty, there's genuinely a hydrangea for every garden.
Our handpicked favorites will have your neighbors doing double-takes all season long. Ready to transform your yard into a summer showstopper? Explore our full collection of hydrangeas and find the perfect match for your garden style!