Hydrangea macrophylla are compact hydrangeas for part-shade with colorful spherical or lacecap blooms, including some cultivars whose color varies with soil pH. Color-changing cultivars, including the Endless Summer® series, will have blue-tinted flowers with more acidic soils, and pink-tinted flowers with more alkaline soils. Garden amendments can further influence bloom color in these cultivars, blooms turning bluer in color with the addition of soil acidifier, and pinker in color with the addition of garden lime to increase soil alkalinity.

Modern bigleaf hydrangea cultivars flower on new and old growth, so pruning can be done anytime but is usually best performed in the spring. Extensive pruning beyond basic shaping and removing broken or damaged branches is not usually necessary. Fertilize two or three times per season between mid-May and mid-July with a bloom-focused fertilizer and avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers.

Hydrangea macrophylla varieties that we love:

• Blue Enchantress®
• Endless Summer® 'BloomStruck®'
• Endless Summer® 'Summer Crush®'
• Endless Summer® 'Pop Star®'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Cape Cod'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Cape Lookout'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Cape May'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Fire Island'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Hamptons'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Newport'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Crystal Cove'

Hydrangea paniculata are part to full sun, often larger shrubs that bloom long-lasting, large conical or lacecap panicles of flowers on new wood (the current season’s growth). Prune panicle hydrangea in the late winter or early spring before they begin to leaf out, pruning back each stem by up to 30-50%. Fertilize two or three times per season between mid-May and mid-July with an acidic fertilizer such as Miracle Gro Miracid, or a bloom-focused fertilizer such as Espoma Flower Tone or Miracle Gro Bloom Booster. 

Hydrangea paniculata varieties that we love:

• 'Bobo®'
• 'Early Evolution™'
• 'Fire Light®'
• 'Diamond Rouge®'
• 'Little Hottie®'
• 'Limelight'
• 'Limelight Prime®'
• 'Little Lime®'
• 'Quick Fire®'
• 'Little Quick Fire®'
• 'Strawberry Shake™'

Hydrangea arborescens are part to full shade, moderately sized shrubs with large spherical flowers that bloom only on new wood. Prune smooth hydrangea back to one to two feet above ground in late winter or early spring to encourage abundant new growth. Fertilize two or three times per season between mid-May and mid-July with an acidic or bloom-focused fertilizer.

Hydrangea arborescens varieties that we love:

• 'Annabelle'
• 'Incrediball®'
• Invincibelle® 'Mini Mauvette®'
• Seaside Serenade® 'Bar Harbor'