Hydrangeas’ renaissance gains momentum in 2016

Updated May 23, 2019
Hydrangeas have grown in popularity since the introduction of reblooming varieties.Hydrangeas have grown in popularity since the introduction of reblooming varieties.

Hydrangeas are a well-known garden shrub. Even people who don’t garden are familiar with the bright pink and blue globes of flowers. Over the past decade, hydrangeas have seen a renaissance due to the creation of the Endless Summer cultivar, which allows for reblooming on both old and new wood.

As mentioned in our story about 2016 landscaping trends, hydrangeas are expected to be a plant to watch this year, as they come in both the colors of Pantone’s 2016 Color of the Year.

So here are some crowd favorites and some hot new cultivars of hydrangeas to watch for:

________________________________________________________

Photo: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.comPhoto: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.com

Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘ES14 P.P.A.F’)

This reblooming hydrangea can give Pantone’s blue Serenity a run for its money if there is enough aluminum in the soil. Rhythmic Blue blooms early in the summer and then again in late summer/early fall. The mophead has interesting geometric petals and pruning is generally not needed for this tidy cultivar. Grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Partial shade to full sun

________________________________________________________

Endless Summer Blushing Bride (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blushing Bride’ PP17,169)

As for Pantone’s Rose Quartz, when Blushing Bride matures, its pure white flowers become tinted with the softest tint of pink and make a pretty close match. This cultivar has semi-double florets and blooms repeatedly throughout late spring and into fall. It can be used to break up brighter colors in a landscape, and has also become a favorite for wedding bouquets (go figure). Grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
  • Partial shade

________________________________________________________

Photo: MonroviaPhoto: Monrovia

Blue Enchantress (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Monmar’ PP #25,209)

Another hydrangea that really excels in producing a blue worth talking about is Monrovia’s Blue Enchantress. Contrasting well with deep ruby stems, these mopheads of flowers can turn an electric shade of blue if the soil pH is acidic enough. Enchantress is also a repeat bloomer and is ideal for borders and mass plantings. Grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Partial shade to partial sun

________________________________________________________

Photo: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.comPhoto: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.com

Little Lime (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’ USPP 22,330)

A dwarf version of Proven Winners’ well-known ‘Limelight’ cultivar, Little Lime features soft green petals that turn pink in the fall. It is small enough to be used in containers but isn’t lost in mass plantings either. Its blossoms are found on new wood, so pruning is advised either in late winter or early spring for plenty of blossoms by summer. Grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
  • Partial sun to sun

________________________________________________________

Photo: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.comPhoto: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.com

Let’s Dance Rave (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SMNHMSIGMA’ USPPAF)

A new addition to the Let’s Dance series, Rave boasts of vibrant violet flowers in acidic soils and saturated pink in basic ones. This shade of purple is not a commonly achieved tint for hydrangeas, making it an interesting rebloomer and possible focal point in a landscape. As an added bonus, Rave is also salt tolerant. Grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Partial sun to sun

________________________________________________________

Everlasting Green Cloud (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmagreclo’ PPAF)

As part of the Everlasting series, Green Cloud is a new cultivar with fresh lime green flowers that have a pop of white in the center. It is a rebloomer that boasts of sturdy stems and durable mopheads. As it ages, the green changes to a fiery red that lasts until a hard frost. Ideal for container gardens. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Partial sun

________________________________________________________

Photo: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.comPhoto: Courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.com

Edgy Hearts (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Horheart’ USPP 22,368)

Another interesting bicolor hydrangea, Edgy Hearts bloom in the summer with almost heart-shaped petals of bright pink edged in white. The plant can be used in mixed borders or cutting gardens. Its blooms are found on old wood, so it is important to prune after flowering. Grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Partial sun to sun

 

The Attachments Idea Book
Landscapers use a variety of attachments for doing everything from snow removal to jobsite cleanup, and regardless of how often they are used, every landscaper has a favorite attachment.
Download
Attachments Idea Book Cover