Hydrangeas can be identified by many characteristics, such as bloom type, bloom color, leaf shape, and more. Knowing what type of hydrangea you have is important, as it can affect how to properly care for them, such as with pruning and growing conditions. Overall, it is said that there are almost 100 different cultivars (‘cultivated varieties’) of hydrangea plants. The following covers the 5 main types of hydrangeas that grow in North America.
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophylla is the most common type of hydrangea plant, also commonly called the florist’s hydrangea, French hydrangea, garden hydrangea or hortensia. These hydrangeas are classified as Bigleaf hydrangeas due to their large leaves being a defining feature. The leaves of these hydrangeas are thick, crisp, shiny, and heart-shaped with toothed edges. The leaf stems are usually short, keeping leaves close to the blooms, and have black or red markings. Hydrangea macrophylla can grow up to 10 feet wide and high on average. They prefer part- to mostly-shade areas and bloom during June and July.
There are 3 main types of Hydrangea macrophylla – the Mophead, Lacecap, and Mountain hydrangeas.
Mophead Hydrangeas
Mophead hydrangeas are the most common type of Bigleaf hydrangeas. It is very popular and easy to recognize due to the large, puffy blooms that can come in colors ranging from purple, blue, or pink based on soil pH level. Mophead hydrangeas can be sensitive to cold and thrive in hardiness zone 6.
Lacecap Hydrangeas
Lacecap hydrangeas are almost identical to the Mophead hydrangeas, except for their bloom. Instead of a bulb-shaped sphere of puffy blooms, it has tiny buds that are surrounded by a few puffy blooms. These outer flowers are sterile and meant to attract pollinators to the central, fertile buds.
Mountain Hydrangeas
Mountain hydrangeas are the least common type of Bigleaf hydrangea. It has blooms that are very similar to Lacecap hydrangeas, but with smaller flowers and leaves. Mountain hydrangeas can survive colder winters and thrive in hardiness zone 5.
Hydrangea arborescens
Hydrangea arborescens, also known as Smooth Hydrangeas or wild hydrangeas, is a smaller hydrangea that is usually planted as a hedge plant. Smooth hydrangeas bloom in bulb-shaped spheres, with smaller blossoms that appear green when they first open and turn white over time. Attached to a long stem that keeps them away from blooms, its leaves are heart-shaped, thin, and have a coarse texture. The average size of this hydrangea is 5 feet tall and wide. Smooth hydrangeas prefer full sun and partial shade within the same day and bloom all summer long, from June to September. Smooth hydrangeas can survive in hotter regions and thrive in hardiness zones 4 to 9.
Hydrangea paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata is also known as the Panicle Hydrangea and is easily identified by its cone-shaped bloom that can grow 6 to 18 inches long. Usually white at first, these blooms may turn pink as the plant matures. The leaves of this hydrangea grow in groups of 3 from a central node and are thin and rough. Hydrangea paniculata grows to be 15 feet tall and 12 wide on average, but can be developed into trees that reach heights of 25 feet. They prefer part-sun but can tolerate full-sun conditions and flower from mid- to late-summer. Panicle hydrangeas are the most cold-hardy and can thrive in hardiness zones 4 to 7.
Hydrangea quercifolia
Hydrangea quercifolia, also known as the Oakleaf Hydrangea, gets it name for its leaves which are shaped like oak tree leaves. The hydrangea leaves even mimic that of oak trees, turning from green to shades of orange and red in the fall. Oakleaf hydrangea blooms are similar to the Panicle hydrangea, with cone-shaped blooms that turn from white to pink as the plant matures. Hydrangea quercifolia blooms early to late summer and then sees its leaves start to change color in the fall. Like most hydrangeas, this variety prefers to be grown in shade areas; however, too much shade may lead to dull and faded fall foliage. Oakleaf hydrangeas grow to be an average 8 feet tall and wide and can tolerate a wider range of climates, thriving in hardiness zones 5 to 9.
Hydrangea petiolaris
Hydrangea petiolaris, also known as the Climbing Hydrangea, is easy to identify because it is actually a vine that can climb up structures. This vine has large, heart-shaped leaves and small, Lacecap-like flowers. The Climbing hydrangea is slow-growing and can take years to show signs of growth. Once mature, it will bloom in early to mid- summer and prefers full or partial sun, but is one of the few flowering vines that can tolerate partial shade areas. If planting this variety to grow as a vine, it is important to give it a strong support structure, as the vines are thick and heavy and can reach heights of 50 feet across 6 feet wide. It is possible to grow Hydrangea petiolaris as a shrub that will grow 3 to 4 feet tall or have it spread over an area as large as 200 square feet. Climbing hydrangeas thrive in hardiness zones 4 to 8.
To learn more about plant hardiness zones set by the USDA, click here.
