Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangeas are beloved for their massive, showy flower clusters that bloom from summer through fall. The bigleaf varieties can change color based on soil pH — blue in acidic soil, pink in alkaline. With varieties ranging from mophead to lacecap to panicle, hydrangeas offer incredible diversity and months of bloom in partial shade.

Hardiness Zones

5-9

Sunlight

Partial Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Maintenance

Low

Mature Size

3-6 ft H × 3-6 ft W

Growth Rate

Moderate

Bloom Season

Summer - Fall

Bloom Color

Blue, Pink, Purple, White (pH dependent)

Care Guide

Plant in morning sun with afternoon shade (especially in hot climates). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to retain moisture. For blue flowers, add aluminum sulfate; for pink, add lime. Prune depends on variety — mopheads bloom on old wood, panicles on new. Protect flower buds from late spring frosts.