Heavenly hydrangeas

The classic hydrangea that most people are familiar with – typified by its voluptuous flower balls in summer – is bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). But there are about 80 hydrangea species worldwide, spanning deciduous shrubs, small trees and climbers, and they’re found in moist, montane forests through Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. Here’s an overview of a few of the main species, and some of their exciting new cultivars.

Oakleaf hydrangea (H.quercifolia)

Growing to 2m tall, these handsome hydrangeas offer deeply lobed foliage that develops glowing autumn colours, attractive flaky bark and large trusses of cone-shaped flowers. The blooms are creamy white but can develop a pink tinge. They are from the south-east of the US, and need minimal pruning.

Recommended cultivars: ‘Munchkin’ and ‘Pee Wee’ are dwarf cultivars to 1m tall, ‘Snowflake’ is a double-flowered form, and ‘Ruby Slippers’ (below) ages to mahogany red.

Panicle or peegee hydrangeas (H.paniculata)

Native to China, Japan and Korea, panicle hydrangeas offer upright, cone-like flower clusters up to 30cm long. Flowering on new wood, they have smaller leaves, autumn colour and tolerate more sun than most.

Recommended cultivars: ‘Sundae Fraise’ (below) is an outstanding variety, with green flowers that turn white, then age to deep pink in autumn. It grows up to 1.2m tall. ‘Candlelight’ has cream flowers on red stems, creating an impressive display, with the flowers aging to deep pink. By early autumn, ‘Diamond Rouge’ deepens to a brighter red. Both reach about 1.5m in height.

Climbing hydrangeas (H.anomola and H.petiolaris)

These two climbing species (the former from China, and the latter from Japan and Korea) can grow up trees or walls to 12m, using small aerial roots on their stems to cling to surfaces. They have heart-shaped leaves and flat, white lacecap-style blooms from late spring through summer.

Header image credit: Fleming’s Nursery