Hydrangeas flowers come in a wide range of colors, from white to pink to dark red. Depending on your climate, they can persist into the fall if there’s no frost—but even then, they’ll be smaller than normal. These flowers range from white to pink to dark red and can persist into the fall as long as there is no frost.
While some people are busy planning their summer gardens, I’m still figuring out which hydrangeas flowers to plant in the spring. Sure, daffodils and pansies are an easy go-to, but they don’t have a lot of staying power. Instead, I like to mix it up with some options that will last me through Mother’s Day and beyond. With these plants at the top of my list, this year: The garden can be your own little oasis during the spring months. Be sure to pick plants that will make you happy for more than just a few weeks!
Types of hydrangeas
Hydrangeas come in three main types, which include mophead, oakleaf, and panicle .Each of these groups has a different flower shape and color.
The mophead hydrangea
The mophead hydrangea (H. macrophylla) is the most popular variety, with large clusters of white or pinkish blooms that appear at the top of each stem like a bouquet.
The panicle hydrangea
the panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) has cone-shaped flowers more like those found on a pine tree than on an oak tree!
Oakleaf hydrangea
The oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) has flat flowers that resemble oak leaves; Oakleaf hydrangea is a favorite deciduous shrub for both gardeners and wildlife. Oakleaf hydrangea has a medium growth rate, but it can be pruned back hard any time of year if the plant starts to get out of hand or needs rejuvenation. The oakleaf hydrangea is a medium-sized shrub that can be pruned in the spring, summer, and fall. It should be pruned to maintain size, promote flowering, and remove dead or damaged branches. The oakleaf hydrangea will grow about 3 feet tall with an equal spread.
Reasons to Plant Oakleaf hydrangea
Here are some great reasons to plant this native deciduous shrub:
- It’s easy to grow.
- It doesn’t attract deer.
- Deer eat it, but that’s not a bad thing! The leaves, seeds, and flowers are all edible for wildlife, so you’ll help keep your neighborhood wildlife healthy when you add oakleaf hydrangeas to your garden or yard.
- The Oakleaf hydrangea usually blooms from late spring to midsummer.
- It blooms for about a month.
- The Oakleaf hydrangea usually blooms from late spring to midsummer
The Hydrangea’s foliage
The Hydrangea’s foliage is also showy, albeit in a different way than its flowers. The leaves may take on a burgundy tone in the fall, which can be used to complement the reds and oranges in your landscape.
Pruning for Shape
Prune in late winter or early spring when plants are dormant by cutting back the stems to desired height from one-half inch above ground level to 5 feet high. This plant has a natural cascading habit of growth so it’s best if you do not cut back too far if you want that look. If you want more compact growth, pinch out tips on new shoots before they reach 8″ long during early spring until midsummer then again in late summer. This will encourage branching and produce fuller plants with denser foliage which can fill up more space within your landscape design plan than open airy ones would otherwise do providing a better screening effect along property lines as well as hiding unsightly views such as utility poles etcetera which might otherwise exist beyond its borders.”
If you want taller flowers, hold off on trimming this plant in early summer and it should produce tall stems by late summer with flowers at 3 or 4 feet high.
If you only want short blooms and you’re okay with that, then trim right away! It’s not a big deal at all because hydrangea bushes are very easy to care for.
The Hydrangea paniculata
The Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ is a large Hydrangea that will grow to be about 5 feet tall and wide. It has large panicles of white flowers in summer which are followed by blue-green oval leaves. This variety can handle partial shade but prefers full sun to bloom best. In autumn, the leaves turn a purplish color and make a big showy specimen shrub.
These are showy plants that you won’t have seen before.
These are showy plants that you won’t have seen before. In fact, you can find them in three main types, which include mophead, oakleaf, and panicle. These deciduous shrubs produce flower clusters of varying sizes and colors throughout the spring and summer months.
They are a perfect spring plant for shade areas because they require little maintenance once established in their new location; however, their roots are prone to damage if planted too deeply or near concrete surfaces such as sidewalks or driveways.
Conclusion
Hydrangeas add a pop of color to any garden. They are easy to grow and can be planted in the spring or fall. Hydrangeas come in many different varieties, which makes them a perfect plant for any gardener!
