Southern Living Plants Logo
  • About Us
    • History Of The Collection
    • Events
    • Brochure
    • Testimonials
    • Botanical Gardens
    • Why Choose Plants from Southern Living® Plant Collection?
  • The Plants
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
    • Annuals and Perennials
    • Groundcovers/Grasses
    • Tropicals
    • Vines
    • New Introductions
  • Where to Buy
    • Find a Retailer
    • Online Retailers
    • Local Landscapers
  • In the Garden
    • Plan Your Garden
    • Inspiration & Projects
    • Planting & Care
  • Connect With Us
    • Like Us
    • Pinterest
    • #SLPlants
    • Youtube
    • Request Newsletter
Menu
  • About Us
    • History Of The Collection
    • Events
    • Brochure
    • Testimonials
    • Botanical Gardens
    • Why Choose Plants from Southern Living® Plant Collection?
  • The Plants
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
    • Annuals and Perennials
    • Groundcovers/Grasses
    • Tropicals
    • Vines
    • New Introductions
  • Where to Buy
    • Find a Retailer
    • Online Retailers
    • Local Landscapers
  • In the Garden
    • Plan Your Garden
    • Inspiration & Projects
    • Planting & Care
  • Connect With Us
    • Like Us
    • Pinterest
    • #SLPlants
    • Youtube
    • Request Newsletter
Search
Close
Heaps of blue to lavender Southern Living Hydrangea bloom heads

Guide to Hydrangeas: Getting to Know the 4 Main Types

  1. Home
  2. Guide to Hydrangeas: Getting to Know the 4 Main Types
  • By Kim Toscano
  • April 23, 2020
Despite sharing a name, not all hydrangeas are the same.

By Kimberly Toscano

Hydrangeas are among the most nostalgic of garden plants, stirring memories of grandmother’s garden and the endless summers of youth. And with their lush foliage and long-lasting blooms, few plants are as deserving of a place in the garden.

While we tend to lump all hydrangeas together, the group represents several distinct species, each with a unique set of growing requirements. Understanding how to use and care for each type of hydrangea will ensure these beauties endure to deliver a lifetime of new garden memories.

Old Wood Versus New Wood

Some hydrangea species bloom on last-year’s growth, which is often called “old wood.” This old wood contains the flower buds that will open with the coming summer. Pruning in winter or spring would remove the flower buds, leaving us with a bloomless plant this year. Therefore, these varieties are pruned after blooming in summer.

Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood produce flower buds on the young growth that emerges in spring. Because the buds are not present during the winter months, these plants can be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.

With handsome, glossy foliage and gorgeous ball-like blooms, bigleaf hydrangea is the Southern Belle of hydrangeas. This diverse group includes two main flower types, large mopheads like those of ‘Big Daddy’ and Dear Dolores™ Hydrangea, and frilly lace-caps.

Bigleaf Hydrangeas: Hydrangea macrophylla

With handsome, glossy foliage and gorgeous ball-like blooms, bigleaf hydrangea is the Southern Belle of hydrangeas. This diverse group includes two main flower types, large mopheads like those of ‘Big Daddy’ and Dear Dolores™Hydrangea, and frilly lace-caps. The flowers of bigleaf hydrangeas shift from blue to pink, depending on soil pH, and make excellent cut flowers.

Ideal Conditions for Bigleaf Hydrangeas

Bigleaf hydrangeas grow best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Hardy to zone 5, they require a well-drained soil and plenty of water. Avoid hot, exposed sites. Plant as showy accents or specimens, or en masse for a stunning display. Bigleaf hydrangeas also perform well in containers.

Pruning Bigleaf Hydrangeas

Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood. Prune in the summer after plants finish blooming and strong new shoots have developed from the base of the plant. Remove weak shoots, both old ones and new ones, cutting them at the base. Leave several stems of old productive wood as well as strong new stems that will flower next season.

Also known by the common name PeeGee, panicle hydrangeas are robust plants with excellent hardiness, and drought tolerance. They thrive in the hot and humid summers of the deep South and shrug off frigid northern winters. These are the easiest hydrangea to grow, but you wouldn’t know it from their over-sized blooms. Showstoppers like White Wedding® and Moon Dance™ Hydrangea give bigleaf varieties a run for their money.

Panicle Hydrangeas: Hydrangea paniculata

Also known by the common name PeeGee, panicle hydrangeas are robust plants with excellent hardiness, and drought tolerance. They thrive in the hot and humid summers of the deep South and shrug off frigid northern winters. These are the easiest hydrangea to grow, but you wouldn’t know it from their over-sized blooms. Showstoppers like White Wedding® and Moon Dance™ Hydrangea give bigleaf varieties a run for their money.

Ideal Conditions for Panicle Hydrangeas

Panicle hydrangeas are hardy to zone 4 and tolerate a wide range of soils. Plants perform well in full sun to part shade, and bloom best with sun. Water well the first season to establish plants. Perfect for hedges and massing, as well as containers.

Pruning Panicle Hydrangeas

Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be pruned in winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Pruning is not necessary, but can stimulate increased flower production. Panicle hydrangeas tolerate heavy pruning to maintain size and are sometimes shaped into a tree form.

This North American native shines all year long with large white to pink summer panicles, vibrant fall color, and exfoliating bark. Large oak-shaped leaves set this species apart from the others, as does its size. Growing 6- to 8-feet-tall and wide, oakleaf hydrangea has a commanding presence in the garden. Mass varieties like Tara™ Hydrangea for big impact in shady beds.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas: Hydrangea quercifolia

This North American native shines all year long with large white to pink summer panicles, vibrant fall color, and exfoliating bark. Large oak-shaped leaves set this species apart from the others, as does its size. Growing 6- to 8-feet-tall and wide, oakleaf hydrangea has a commanding presence in the garden. Mass varieties like Tara™Hydrangea for big impact in shady beds.

Ideal Conditions for Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Stunning in woodland gardens and mixed borders, this species tolerates full sun to part shade in hardiness zones 5 through 9. Drought tolerant, but thrives in moist soils, give oakleaf hydrangea a well-draining location.  Plants benefit from a layer of mulch year round.

Pruning Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Oakleaf hydrangeas require very little pruning. Plants flower on old wood, so pruning to shape the plant, if needed, should be done in summer after the plant finishes flowering. Dead or damaged branches can be removed any time.

Native to the southern United States, smooth hydrangeas are easy to grow and very cold hardy. Often incorrectly referred to as Annabelle hydrangea, this species produces large, rounded flower heads in white, pink, and green hues.

Smooth Hydrangeas: Hydrangea arborescens

Native to the southern United States, smooth hydrangeas are easy to grow and very cold hardy. Often incorrectly referred to as Annabelle hydrangea, this species produces large, rounded flower heads in white, pink, and green hues.

Ideal Conditions for Smooth Hydrangeas

Smooth hydrangea requires a partly shaded location to thrive. Bright shade, or morning sun support blooming while protecting plants from hot afternoon sun. Plants are susceptible to drought and perform best with even moisture. A lovely addition to mixed borders and woodland gardens, or tucked behind perennials.

Pruning Smooth Hydrangeas

Smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood. Plants are commonly cut back to the ground in late winter to early spring to encourage abundant blooms and maintain plants at a manageable size. If a larger shrub is desired, cut back some of the stems to the ground, leaving others at varying lengths, from 1- to 2-feet.

 

Kim Toscano

Kimberly Toscano is a freelance writer, gardening expert and traveler with an eye on design. Kimberly blends her formal training in horticulture and entomology with her passion for design to educate and inspire gardeners.
View More Articles

Related Articles

Garden Headliners: Southern Living Hydrangeas

The versatile appeal of Hydrangeas

Elegant Garden Design Using Gardenias And Hydrangeas

Create lasting impressions with classic Southern plants like Gardenia.

Hydrangeas Without the Blues

How to manage blossom color

Plants Featured In The article

Hydrangea
Large white tightly formed Hydrangea bloom head of Tara Hydrangea from Southern Living Plant Collection

Tara® Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘BIV01’ PP30565
Hydrangea
Close-up on big beautiful round Big Daddy Hydrangea blue bloom head

'Big Daddy' Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Big Daddy’ PP14527
Hydrangea
Semmes Beauty Hydrangea's delicate white blooms sit atop oakleaf-shaped foliage

'Semmes Beauty’ Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hyrangea quercifolia ‘Semmes Beauty’
Hydrangea
Heaps of blue to lavender Southern Living Hydrangea bloom heads

Dear Dolores® Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Wyatt LeFever’
Hydrangea
Heaps of white bloom heads on White Wedding Hydrangea

White Wedding® Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata ‘LeeP1’ PP28973
Hydrangea
Close-up on White Wedding Hydrangea, cone-shaped blooms in white to cream to lime

Moon Dance® Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata ‘LEEP2’ PP29751

Join the Conversation!

Where To Buy
Southern Living Plants

{find a garden center near you}

Southern Living Plants Logo
Instagram
Facebook-f
Pinterest
Youtube

Plants

  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
  • Groundcovers/Grasses
  • Shrubs
  • Trees
  • Tropicals
  • Vines
Menu
  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
  • Groundcovers/Grasses
  • Shrubs
  • Trees
  • Tropicals
  • Vines

About Us

  • About Us
  • History Of The Collection
  • Events
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • About Us
  • History Of The Collection
  • Events
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us

PRO Resources

  • Brand Resources
  • Marketing Support
  • Fact Sheets
  • Image Gallery
  • Re-Wholesaler Locator
Menu
  • Brand Resources
  • Marketing Support
  • Fact Sheets
  • Image Gallery
  • Re-Wholesaler Locator
©2021 Southern Living Plant Collection