8 Outstanding Hydrangeas from the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden

Here are the best types of hydrangeas we ’ve grown .

Hydrangeas always make a assertion with their cornucopia of flowers that last from summer into fall . Every year , exciting newvarieties of hydrangeasdebut in garden snapper and online nursery , and here atBetter Homes & Gardens , hydrangeas are one ofour Test Garden favorites . We on a regular basis try out a few raw ones , along with try - and - straight favorites , to pass judgment their performance . Though it ’s hard to decide which one are the good of the best , these are our top picking for best - bloominghydrangeavarieties that dependably look spectacular year after yearwithout much care .

Earliest Bloomer: Blushing Bride

Thisbigleaf hydrangea(Hydrangea macrophylla ) variety is part of the Endless Summer series and is one of the well - blooming hydrangea since it blooms so early on . Starting in late spring , this tidy , 3- to 5 - foot - tall bush is covered with creamy white-hot mophead - type flower nous that are tinged with easy garden pink . While it will grow in full Dominicus , it appreciate good afternoon shade in warmer part . And though it’shardy to USDA Zone 4 through 9 , it may postulate some wintertime tribute , like athick level of mulch around the stemsin colder areas .

Best Panicle Hydrangea: Fire Light

Carson Downing

A newer diversity of panicle hydrangea ( Hydrangea paniculata ) , Fire Light has so much go for it . Its white flowers twist a rich , ruddy - pinko as they bloom from summertime to come . This plant life develop about 8 feet tallin sunlight to part shadeand has potent stems that wo n’t flop over despite the weight of its football - sizing flower head . It is also very hardy , overwinter in Zones 3 - 8 .

Best Oakleaf Hydrangea for Full Shade: Gatsby Star

Oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia)make unequalled , cone - shapeadditions to shady woodland garden , thanks to their remain firm - out clean bloom that blossom in tardy summer and take on dusky - rosaceous hue in the fall . This variety show stands out for its double flowers and point ( not rounded ) flower petal . " declination folio colouring material on oakleaf hydrangea is a bonus , " say Sandra Gerdes , coach at the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden . It fix about 8 feet improbable and is hardy in Zones 5 - 9 , though it may need winter security in colder region .

Biggest Blooms: Incrediball

This is one of the best hydrangea varieties if you ’re looking for full-grown - as - your - psyche blooms . This smooth hydrangea ( Hydrangea arborescens ) has unbelievable white flower head that can get to 12 inches across and last all summer into downslope . It also gas stalwart 4- to 6 - foot - tall stems that wo n’t fall through beneath the exercising weight of all those respectable flowers . The most abundant floral show happens when this hydrangea isplanted in full Lord’s Day , Gerdes says , but she adds that in the Test Garden , it ’s still quite passably in a part - tint emplacement . It is fearless in Zones 3 - 9 .

Most Abundant Flowers: Limelight

This definitive panicle hydrangea blooms from tardy summertime to former fall . It farm a richness of immense , cone-shaped , blanched flowers tinged with easy green that slowly age to reddish pink . It grows about 8 to 10 feet tall in full Lord’s Day or part shade . " This potpourri is tough , frigid - hardy , and does n’t mind a unvoiced pruning if needed , " Gerdes read . It is hardy in Zones 3 - 8 .

Coolest Leaf Color: Little Honey

This dwarf oakleaf hydrangea feature golden foliation that turns a mellow crimson in declivity . Its color is brightest when plant where it gets cockcrow sun , but it will still shine ina full - shade garden . Its cone - regulate , white flower appear in midsummer . " Even though extremely cold winter temperatures may get the flower buds to die , resulting in niggling or no bloom for the next twelvemonth , we do n’t mind because the foliation is so attractive , " Gerdes says . It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is hardy in Zones 5 - 9 .

Best Hydrangea for Containers: Little Quick Fire

A gnome variety ofpanicle hydrangea , Little Quick Fire , grows 3 to 5 metrical foot tall and typically blossom a month earlier thanother hydrangeas of its eccentric . The flowers start livid when they open in other summer , then transform to rosiness pink in Sunday or part shade . Its shorter stature is just right for modest gardens or container . It ’s hardy in Zones 3 - 8 , and when winter arrives , pass the mass into the terra firma or place them in an unheated garage surrounded by mulch for insulation to keep the ascendant from get too cold .

Compact Yet Colorful: Tiny Tuff Stuff

The name says it all about this variety of mountain hydrangea ( Hydrangea serrata ) . flyspeck Tuff Stuff grows only 2 metrical foot marvelous and blooms profusely despite heat and cold . But it gets even better because its lacecap - style flowers are daze all summer . They can be pastel gamey , pinkish , or white , depending on soil pH. " The prime search delicate but are long - endure and eye - catching , " Gerdes says . Plus , they often rebloom later in the season after their first flush of flowers . It is hardy in Zones 5 - 9 .

These are just a few of our preferent types of hydrangeas we ’ve grown in the BHG Test Garden . But of row , there aremany more hydrangea species and varieties , each offer its gain characteristics — so go in front and hear a few ! They make long - blooming accent plants in a garden bed , or you’re able to sample growing a row of them to make a coloured , low - maintenance hedging . minuscule variety show even make excellent choices for containers .

Hydrangea with pinkish white flowers