54 Gorgeous Hydrangea Varieties

This beautiful flowering shrub can add color and abundance to your garden.

January 31, 2022

Related To:

Hydrangeas: True Garden Classics

Hydrangeas are classics — favored for their old-fashioned charm in the form of large flowerheads that bloom in variations of lavender, blue, pink and red (and gardeners can control the color by altering soil pH). Hydrangeas also are considered to be pest and disease resistant, though not completely trouble-free.

Hydrangeas come in a variety of species (six commonly grown in American gardens) and sizes. If space is tight in your yard, you can still enjoy lush hydrangea blooms with a small variety such as Let’s Dance 'Rave' reblooming hydrangea (above), which grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Flower color shifts from a deep violet-purple in acid soils to pink in basic soils. Use this reblooming hydrangea in containers, as a specimen plant, to edge planting beds or as an informal hedge. Hardy in Zones 5-9. Continue to see more of our favorite hydrangea varieties.

Learn More: How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hydrangeas

Let's Dance 'Starlight' Hydrangea

'Starlight' requires regular watering and partial shade to full sun. This repeat bloomer produces vivid coloration and glossy foliage - great for mass plantings, containers or cutting.

Buttons 'N Bows 'Monrey' Hydrangea

Beautiful 'Monrey' has deep pink, mophead-type flowers edged in white. Use it in containers, woodland gardens or in the foreground of borders. It needs filtered sun, constantly moist soil and is hardy in zones 7 to 9.

Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight'

Japanese hydrangea vine 'Moonlight' is related to the better-known climbing hydrangea. Its cream-colored, broad flowerheads are surrounded by silver-green leaves with dark green veins. Grow it on a fence, wall or other support. It's hardy in zones 6 to 9.

Let's Dance 'Diva!' Hydrangea

Use this dwarf, reblooming beauty, Let's Dance 'Diva!', in part sun to sun. It tops out at 2 to 3 feet with big, pink or blue flowers in zones 5 to 9.

Let's Dance 'Big Easy' Hydrangea

A reliable reblooming hydrangea, this beauty has large, vivid mop-head flowers that change from pinkish-green to pink and sometimes back to green. If you love to cut hydrangeas, this one is for you.

Let's Dance 'Rhapsody Blue' Hydrangea

Despite its name, you may get pink or blue blooms, depending on your soil's pH. At 2 to 3 feet tall, Let's Dance 'Rhapsody Blue' reblooms in part sun to sun and is cold-tolerant in zones 5 to 9.

Let's Dance 'Moonlight' Hydrangea

This hydrangea delights all year long beginning with it's vibrant, mop-head blooms in the summer and continuing through fall when it offers great fall foliage colors.

'Electric Rouge'

This vibrant mophead beauty from the HGTV Home Plant Collection is set off by dark green foliage and makes an excellent cut flower.

'Sweet 'N Salsa'

Good for USDA zones 5-9, this pretty cultivar with unique bronze red foliage blooms from late spring into late summer.

Cityline 'Mars' Hydrangea

This part sun to sun shrub yields long-lasting flowers. It grows well in both landscapes and containers, but if you grow it in a container, it should be planted in the ground in the fall.

Cityline 'Paris' Hydrangea

Maturing at just 1 to 3 feet tall, Cityline 'Paris' is a bigleaf, dwarf hydrangea developed in Germany. This shrub takes partial shade to full sun in zones 5 to 9. The intensely red-pink flowers become green with age.

Cityline 'Rio' Hydrangea

Stunning Cityline 'Rio' is another bigleaf hydrangea that's wonderful in containers. Growing 2 to 3 feet high, it's an early bloomer, bearing blue flowers with handsome green "eyes." It requires regular watering in partial shade to full sun.

Cityline 'Berlin' Hydrangea

You can't go wrong with Cityline 'Berlin' hydrangeas. They have thick, glossy, deeply quilted foliage and big, full flower heads.

Cityline 'Venice' Hydrangea

This bigleaf hydrangea hails from Germany. Extremely disease-resistant, it opens deep pink flowers that turn green as they mature. Give it partial shade to full sun in zones 5 to 9; at only 1 to 3 feet tall, it's ideal for containers.

Cityline 'Vienna' Hydrangea

The smallest of the Cityline series, Vienna also blooms blue or pink, depending on the acidity of the soil. Learn how to change the color of your blooms with these tips.

'Tiny Tuff Stuff'

This beauty has delicate flowers, and that makes it hard to call this one tough, but they are! Abundant lacecap flowers in this Hydrangea serrata are comprised of doubled sepals. While this plant leans towards blue blooms, the flower color may range from blue to pink to white—all soft, delicate, shades perfect for refined gardens. The flowers age to an attractive pink, and tip down in an distinctive arching fashion. Will grow 1 ½ to 2 feet in height and width, and hardy to zone 5.

Gatsby Pink Oakleaf Hydrangea

Why we love it: Oakleaf hydrangea wins our hearts because of its multi-season interest. White flower clusters start opening in summer, quickly fade to pink hues, followed by brown sugar tones. Dried blooms linger into winter. Leaves turn stunning shades of purple, burgundy and red in fall.

'Quick Fire' Hydrangea

Perk up perennial beds and borders in your landscape with hydrangeas that keep the blooms coming. 'Quick Fire' flowers up to a month before other hydrangeas; the white blooms gradually turn pink and become dark rose-pink by fall.

'Little Lamb' Hydrangea

'Little Lamb' has the smallest and most delicate flowers of any hydrangea. Hardy from zones 3 to 9, this hydrangea offers white flowers that turn pink in the fall. Growing 4 to 6 feet in height, this shrub serves as a perfect border plant.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bombshell'

'Bombshell' is a beauty: a petite hydrangea that bears white flowers almost non-stop from summer to fall. Give it part sun and consistently moist soil; it grows quickly and is hardy in zones 3 to 9.

'Tokyo Delight' Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tokyo Delight' prefers rich, well-drained soils and part shade.

'Preziosa Hydrangea'

Hydrangea 'Preziosa' produces dark purplish stems and rose pink sterile florets deepening to ruby red in autumn. Truly among the most popular hydrangeas in the garden.

'Bluebird' Hydrangea

Hydrangea serrata 'Bluebird' has blue central fertile florets encircled with blue to purple sterile florets on a lovely lacecap cultivar with serrated leaves. The small, dark blue sepals fall to the ground like fluorescent blue confetti.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Paraplu'

'Paraplu' bears showstopping, doubled flowers that range from candy pink to hot pink. Give it moist, well-draining soil and part sun to sun in zones 5 to 9. Maturing at about 3 feet, it's excellent for containers.

'Annabelle'

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' is a stunning hydrangea with huge white drumstick blooms.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Fire Light'

'Fire Light' is a showstopping dwarf hydrangea with flowers that open white in summer and blaze red by fall. Grow it in large containers, as it can reach 54 to 72 inches high. It prefers full to part sun and is hardy in zones 3 to 9.

'Snowflake'

The large flowerheads of Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake' feature creamy double blooms.

'Grandiflora'

Grow Hydrangea arborescens 'Grandiflora' in average, well-drained soil in part-shade.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo'

Grow this 3-foot-tall hydrangea in full to part sun in zones 3 to 9. This dwarf shrub bears abundant white blooms that stay white in any soil.

'Hadsbury'

The large lacecap Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hadsbury' features soft blue or pink flowers.

'Nikko Blue'

Hydrangeas display a beautiful antiquity. The 'Nikko Blue' is a mophead variety with rounded, blue blooms.

L.A. Dreamin' Hydrangea

The lush blooms of 'L.A. Dreamin'' allow myriad shades of pink and blue to coexist on the same plant, whether you adjust the alkalinity of the soil or not.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pistachio'

'Pistachio' is a reblooming hydrangea for gardens or large containers. The reddish blooms have a chartreuse tinge; the color is not affected by soil pH.

'Peppermint Swirl'

This hydrangea variety features an upright, mounded habit and spectacular peppermint candy variegation with pink and red-purple flowers.

Hydrangea 'Twist N Shout'

Lacecap hydrangea 'Twist N Shout' is a rebloomer developed for zones 4 to 9. The pink or periwinkle-colored flowers are held on sturdy, red stems.

‘Limelight’ Hydrangea

A panicle type hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), ‘Limelight’ is a shrub that gives and gives. The flower clusters vary from 8 to 12 inches long and open chartreuse, then fade to pink shades. The color lingers well into fall. A tough plant, ‘Limelight’ is hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Panicle hydrangea trains well into a tree form.

'Little Lime' Hydrangea

Growing only 3 to 5 feet tall, this hydrangea is smaller than its popular sibling 'Limelight' but still offers beautiful lime-colored blooms that turn pink in the fall. Hardy from zones 3 to 9, 'Little Lime' grows well in containers and landscapes.

First Editions 'Vanilla Strawberry' Hydrangea

'Vanilla Strawberry' is a panicle hydrangea that shows off candy-colored blooms from midsummer to fall. Blooms form in early spring, so prune or shape plants in late winter. 'Vanilla Strawberry' can reach heights of 6 feet and can be trained as a standard.

'Diamond Rogue' Hydrangea

First Editions 'Diamond Rogue' Hydrangea boasts big cones of white flowers that turn wine red as the blooms age.

'Tiny Tuff Stuff'

This Hydrangea serrata has delicate flowers, and that makes it hard to call this one tough, but they are! Abundant lacecap flowers are comprised of doubled sepals. While this plant leans towards blue blooms, the flower color may range from blue to pink to white—all soft, delicate, shades perfect for refined gardens. The flowers age to an attractive pink, and tip down in an distinctive arching fashion. Will grow 1 ½ to 2 feet in height and width, and hardy to zone 5.

'Gatsby's Star'

This hydrangea has star power! Double blooms are pointed instead of round, creating a star effect. The result is a beautiful, lacy panicle, and a very showy, native variety. This hydrangea will grow 5-6 feet in height and is hardy to zone 5.

'Gatsby's Moon'

These doubled, pure white florets are tightly packed and create very full panicles with a unique quilted effect. As the bloom ages, it turns a nice shade of green that lasts through most of the season. It is a native plant, will grow to 6-10 feet in height and is hardy to zone 5.

Hydrangea 'Jetstream'

An oakleaf hydrangea, 'Jetstream' produces tall, sturdy cones of white flowers that fade to pink as they age. Prune after it flowers in midsummer.

'Gatsby's Gal'

Smaller than other similar hydrangeas, 'Gatsby’s Gal' has impressively large flowers and lots of them. Full panicles of white blooms are held upright above the foliage. Flowers are quite large relative to the plants compact size. A native plant. Will reach a height of 5-6 feet and is hardy to zone 5.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mini Penny'

Hardy in zones 5 to 9, 'Mini Penny' tops out at 2 to 3 feet high. The big mophead blooms may be pink or blue, depending on your soil. It's wonderful for growing in containers or borders; give it full sun to partial shade.

Hydrangea 'Twist-n-Shout'

Lacecap hydrangea 'Twist-n-Shout' is a rebloomer developed for zones 4 to 9. The pink or periwinkle flowers are held on sturdy, red stems.

'Bloomstruck' Hydrangea

'Bloomstruck' a reblooming hydrangea variety. It's said to be more tolerant of winter cold and summer heat than previous reblooming types.

'Abracadabra Star'

Abracadabra hydrangeas have silky, jet-black stems which contrast beautifully with the pink blooms in the summer.

'Abracadabra Orb'

Plant this hydrangea variety for bright blooms. Its mop-head flowers bloom green and peach and mature to hot pink. Hardy from zones 5 to 9.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lady In Red'

'Lady in Red' bears pinkish-white lacecape flowers with dark red veins and stems. Use it in zones 6 to 9, and watch the green foliage turn an attractive red-purple in fall.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nigra'

Grow 'Nigra' in zones 6 to 9 in part shade, or keep the plant well-watered if it receives a lot of sun. The blooms are pink in alkaline soils and blue in acidic soils. You may be able to grow this hydrangea in zone 5 if you plant it in a protected location and give it plenty of mulch in the winter; a burlap wrap can also help.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Merritt's Supreme'

'Merritt's Supreme' is a bigleaf hydrangea that produces rose or reddish-colored blooms from July into August. Use it in zones 6 to 9, and expect blue blooms if your soil is highly acidic.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Early Sensation'

'Early Sensation' is a cultivar in the Forever and Ever hydrangea series. For zones 4 to 9, it thrives in your garden or in large containers. For best results, give it cool, morning sun and some afternoon shade. Blooms will be pink or blue, depending on the soil's pH.

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Photo By: Julie Taylor Fitzgerald, American Hydrangea Society

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54 Gorgeous Hydrangea Varieties

Related To:

Hydrangeas: True Garden Classics

Let's Dance 'Starlight' Hydrangea

Buttons 'N Bows 'Monrey' Hydrangea

Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight'

Let's Dance 'Diva!' Hydrangea

Let's Dance 'Big Easy' Hydrangea

Let's Dance 'Rhapsody Blue' Hydrangea

Let's Dance 'Moonlight' Hydrangea

'Electric Rouge'

'Sweet 'N Salsa'

Cityline 'Mars' Hydrangea

Cityline 'Paris' Hydrangea

Cityline 'Rio' Hydrangea

Cityline 'Berlin' Hydrangea

Cityline 'Venice' Hydrangea

Cityline 'Vienna' Hydrangea

'Tiny Tuff Stuff'

Gatsby Pink Oakleaf Hydrangea

'Quick Fire' Hydrangea

'Little Lamb' Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bombshell'

'Tokyo Delight' Hydrangea

'Preziosa Hydrangea'

'Bluebird' Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Paraplu'

'Annabelle'

Hydrangea paniculata 'Fire Light'

'Snowflake'

'Grandiflora'

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo'

'Hadsbury'

'Nikko Blue'

L.A. Dreamin' Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pistachio'

'Peppermint Swirl'

Hydrangea 'Twist N Shout'

‘Limelight’ Hydrangea

'Little Lime' Hydrangea

First Editions 'Vanilla Strawberry' Hydrangea

'Diamond Rogue' Hydrangea

'Tiny Tuff Stuff'

'Gatsby's Star'

'Gatsby's Moon'

Hydrangea 'Jetstream'

'Gatsby's Gal'

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mini Penny'

Hydrangea 'Twist-n-Shout'

'Bloomstruck' Hydrangea

'Abracadabra Star'

'Abracadabra Orb'

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lady In Red'

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nigra'

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Merritt's Supreme'

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Early Sensation'

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