A peegee hydrangea in full bloom, like this one in Donna Evers’s garden, is a stunning sight. Niki Jabbour Photo by Niki JabbourArticle contentThis is the time of year when I want to plant more hydrangeas in my yard. Everywhere I look are the vivid blue flowers of bigleaf hydrangea and the snowy white blooms of Annabelle hydrangea, and I’m very tempted to jump in my car and head to the nearest garden centre.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentHydrangeas are among the most popular summer flowering shrubs with flowers that persist for months, and there is a selection of types and cultivars to choose from. The main types are bigleaf, panicle, Annabelle, oakleaf and mountain, as well as climbing hydrangea, a vining plant. These shrubs offer a wide variety of plant sizes, as well as flower shapes and colours.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentFor the healthiest plants and best bloom, most hydrangeas prefer a site with part shade to full sun and fertile, moist soil. However, some types can take more sun or more shade, so read plant labels carefully when selecting one for your garden.Article contentTYPES OF HYDRANGEA SHRUBSArticle content Bigleaf hydrangeas are a classic summer shrub with rounded blue or pink flowers. Photo by Niki JabbourArticle contentBigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)Article contentBigleaf hydrangeas are mounding shrubs that are further divided into two groups: mopheads and lacecaps. Mopheads are classic summer shrubs with large rounded blooms, while lacecaps have flat lacy flowers. Both produce flowers in shades of blues to pinks, with the colour depending on the soil pH.Article contentBigleaf hydrangeas are easy to grow but can be fussy about flowering. This is because their flowerbuds, which are produced the previous season, are prone to winter damage. Protect the plants with a winter mulch of straw, evergreen boughs or burlap. Or grow a cultivar like Endless Summer that flowers on old and new wood for guaranteed blossoms.Article contentArticle contentPanicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata)Article contentPanicle, or peegee, hydrangeas are reliably hardy, heat and cold tolerant, long blooming and need little pruning or fussing. The showy cone-shaped flowers, which can grow over a foot long, range from white to green to pink to red, and often a combination of these colours.Article contentThere are many cultivars of panicle hydrangeas with some like Bobo growing just a couple of feet tall and others reaching heights of 20 feet or more. Pick one that matches the available space in your garden.Article content Annabelle hydrangeas have large white, or sometimes pink, flowers that persist for many weeks. Photo by Niki JabbourArticle contentAnnabelle (Hydrangea arborescens)Article contentGrowing three to five feet tall and wide, the deep green leaves of Annabelle provide the perfect backdrop to the green-changing-to-white blossoms. Use it for a low hedge or to add midsummer interest to mixed borders. Depending on the cultivar, the rounded flowers can grow up to a foot across and there are a few, like Invincibelle Spirit II, that have bubblegum pink blooms.
Get growing: Summer is the season for hydrangeas
