Types of Hydrangeas

The Lacecap hydrangea (h. macrophylla normalis) has a distinctive flower which looks as if the center of the bloom has not opened.  Petals will be open around a central flat portion of the flower. 

It is cold hardy to Zone 6 only, and since I live in Zone 5 I don't grow it in New Hampshire. 

Because it is a macrophylla, the color of the blossoms will change according to the soil acidity. 

Applying lime, to make the soil more alkaline, will change the color to pink.  However, if you live in an area where the soil is normally acidic it may be difficult to keep the flower pink, unless you grow it in a pot.

(Photo credit: Morguefile)

The delicate, pure white flowers of the Pee Gee hydrangea make it a favorite of mine.  As you can see, the petals are more rounded than those of the macrophylla version.  This is a newly planted, small shrub so the flowers are a bit sparse.

The name is a shortened version of it's correct, longer name: paniculata grandiflora.

It has smaller leaves than the mopheads and the flowers have little knobby centers that remind me of a pearl.  The flower bud will be greenish becoming white and as it ages the flowers will turn light pink and cream colored. (See my image below of flowers I had cut, after they had dried on the branches.)

The pinky winky is unique because the elongated (cone-shaped) flowers begin as white and then turn pink from the bottom up. (See my photo of this one as a white bud near the top of this page.)

My plant, shown in the photo, bloomed the first summer I planted it.  I expect the flowers to be more striking by next year.

It did attract a lot of bees, but it never wilted on the hot summer days, and will grow into a large shrub of about eight feet tall and wide.

If you can't find this type at the local garden center (Zones 3-8), it's available at Amazon.

I don't know much about the climbing hydrangea (h. petiolaris) except from reading comments from growers. This species has pretty, lacy looking white flowers and I've read that although it may take a year or two to get established, it will take off and grow like mad after that.  It will need a sturdy structure to cling to, such as a big fence, tree, or wall of the house itself because it can grow to 80 feet tall!

I've found a photo of this type at Wayside Gardens, where they can be purchased.   It grows in Zones 4-8.

The Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) gets it's name from the leaves that are differently shaped from other varieties of hydrangea.  Also, it's leaves will turn red and bronze in fall and especially if it's planted in a sunny spot in the yard.

It also produces long, cone-shaped flowers in summer.

This one will grow in Zones 5 to 9 and reaches around eight feet in height.

(Photo Credit: Morguefile)

• Check the climate and zone maps when you decide to purchase a hydrangea online to make sure it will survive in your landscape.  Some of them need freezing conditions to grow and others can't stand extreme cold.
• Macrophyllas, or "mopheads" are smaller shrubs with round, ball-like flowers.  They will wilt in sun and dry conditions and may require daily watering in summer.  The flowers will bloom as pink, white or blue according to the soil.
• Paniculatas are hardy and need very little care.  The ones I recently planted never wilted like the mopheads did.  They can be shaped into tree form.  The flowers are elongated and will not change color according to the soil.
• Hydrangeas don't need to be pruned, but they can be if they get too large for the space. I prune my Limelight shrubs in late fall so the snow won't break the long branches. (Consult pruning guidelines for each type.)