We started our journey with Hydrangeas last week, so let’s keep the momentum going and continue by talking about an even more useful species of them this week. As I have mentioned before, there isn’t a better choice for summer-long blooming shrubs than Hydrangeas, period. We covered Hydrangea macrophylla (Big Leaf Hydrangeas with mophead or lacecap flowers) last time for partially shady garden locations. Now it is on to Hydrangeas for more sunny locales, as there are some fabulous options that are easy to grow and will provide blooms all summer long in your garden.
I think most gardeners are familiar with the fact that there are various types of these wonderful shrubs, and it is important to note that all have subtle differences in both growth and flower. The focus today will be on two main species, both of which grow well in our climate, thriving in full to partial sun; Smooth Hydrangeas and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. See below for specifics on each, but planting these in well-drained soil is best, as is keeping them happy with a thick layer of mulch to conserve moisture in this summer heat. Feed either Hydrangea type with a good organic rose or flower granular food, once in March (at pruning time) and again in June or July for optimal growth and maximum bloom.
Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens): These are lovely natives to the central and eastern USA and are super cold hardy. The vast majority have large, white, rounded flowers that are great for cutting to bring inside, but there are few colored variants and some dwarf cultivars as well. All of these bloom on new wood, making pruning simple and easy. In early March remove any dead wood and cut the remaining stems back (maybe a third at most) to control its size and to shape the plant. The result is a summer full of shrubby flower power! Smooth Hydrangeas are all about impact, making them useful as singular specimens, impressive when planted in groups, or even an outstanding clipped deciduous hedge. Traditionally the most popular flavor was ‘Annabelle’, which is an oldie but goodie, but some newer ones have even more to offer…
‘FlowerFull’: This is the latest and greatest variety to date, truly a gift from Bailey Nursery’s First Edition breeding program to all of us Hydrangea enthusiasts. And for those of you who are all white Hydrangea lovers… this one provides pure white ever-blooming bliss summer through fall and will have 2 to 3 times more flowers than any other variety. Its large, white, snowball-like flowers are held up by thick stems, resulting in minimal flopping once they are established. ‘FlowerFull’ also boasts superior disease resistance, allowing it to be beautifully adorned by very clean foliage. This variety is super tidy and compact, and will stay to about 4-feet tall and wide.
‘Incrediball’: This fabulous flavor from the Proven Winners brand is all about going large, proven by its HUGE, white, striking flowers (almost basketball size!) that are held on thick, sturdy stems. These don’t repeat bloom as much as the variety above, but the blossoms are long lasting and age to a lovely jade green in late summer. They are also nicely shaped plants that grow to about 5-feet tall and wide with age. I hear through the grapevine that there is a pink version of this coming down the plant-breeder-pipeline for 2026 as well, so stay tuned!
‘Invincibelle Series’: There are some very useful dwarfs, as well as some larger growers, in this series brought to you by Proven Winners. Many of the dwarf styles make lovely container specimens or are perfect to tuck into smaller garden locations. ‘Invincibelle Spirit II’ grows to about 4-feet tall and wide and sports deep pink flowers all summer long and into fall. ‘Invincibelle Mini Mauvette’ matures to only 3-feet tall and wide with blooms all summer in an interesting mauve purple color. Do you like lime green? Then ‘Invincibelle Sublime’ might be for you, maturing to about 5-feet tall and wide and bursting with lime flowers above deep green foliage. ‘Invincibelle Limetta’ is even smaller, growing to about 4-feet tall and wide. If you are sticking with traditional white and need to stay small, ‘Invincibelle Wee White’ is for you, reaching only 2.5-feet tall and wide and producing white flowers all summer long until frost.
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): This specie of Hydrangea is native to Southeastern USA and now grows up the eastern seaboard into New York, mostly along stream banks. Oakleaf types are shrubs for all four seasons – nice and clean spring foliage, summer bloom, excellent fall color, and distinctive peeling stems/bark to add winter interest. Summer blooms are cone-shaped that start white in color, then age into pink tones later in the heat of summer. Some varieties even keep changing to almost a ruby red in the fall. Foliage shape is more like oak leaves on steroids, larger but shaped the same. In our climate these become vibrant for fall (shades of yellow, orange, red, and burgundy, depending on the variety) and hold their color for the winter, only dropping if temperatures get super cold. The major difference with this type of Hydrangea is that it is an old wood bloomer, meaning that you DO NOT go out in spring and give them a hard cut back. If you do, they will still grow but flowering will be minimal that season. Simply deadhead spent flowers to keep your plant tidy and remove any dead wood each spring. These are also very deer resistant for a Hydrangea - not immune, but your best bet if deer are pruning your yard for you. There are lots of good varieties of Oakleaf Hydrangeas around, but here are a couple of suggestions…
‘Ruby Slippers’: This reliable variety grows to about 4-feet tall and a little wider with age. Flowers open white then quickly progress into deeper pink tones, finally reaching a rich ruby red color in fall. Foliage turns a brilliant mahogany color as well, adding even more impact in the autumn landscape.
‘Munchkin’: This excellent flavor was introduced by the US National Arboretum, providing a little more compact alternative. Maturing to about 3-feet tall and a little wider, it fills a little smaller niche in the landscape. Flowers open pure white and slowly progress into tones of pink later in the summer and fall, while its deep green foliage changes to a brilliant mahogany red in the fall - a great combination of flower and foliage.
‘Jetstream’: The First Editions breeding program at Bailey Nursery brought us this lovely Hydrangea. This variety is a larger specimen plant, maturing to about 6-feet tall and wide over time. White flowers last all summer long and turn to shades of pink like many others, but this one also glows with brilliant orangey-red foliage in the fall.
As summer marches on for us, Hydrangeas throughout our area continue to pop with color, providing our gardens with the summer flower power that we all crave. Plan to make a visit to your local garden center soon and allow Hydrangeas of all kinds to inspire you. A Certified Professional Horticulturist can steer you towards the perfect Hydrangeas for your landscape locations and teach you how to care for them properly. Remember to mulch and keep both established and newly planted ones watered in the heat of summer. This will keep them happy and looking sharp, ensuring your specimens will continue thriving through the fall until frost. Apologies, I cannot believe I mentioned “frost”… forget that for now and keep that summer sunshine coming, please and thank you!
Stayed tuned next week as the trek through the world of Hydrangeas continues with yet another specie, Hydrangea paniculata or the PG Hydrangea.
Remember, leaves up, roots down…