Hydrangea Species Guide

The most widely recognized hydrangea, known for its large, bold blooms. Available in mophead (globe-shaped) or lacecap forms, it is a garden classic prized for its showy floral display.

A standout trait is its color-changing ability — flower color shifts from pink to blue depending on soil pH.

• Acidic soils produce blue blooms
• Alkaline soils produce pink. Best suited to partial shade with consistent moisture.

A close relative of macrophylla, mountain hydrangea is more compact and cold-hardy. Native to the mountains of Korea and Japan, it is well-suited to smaller gardens and cooler climates.

It typically produces delicate lacecap-style blooms with small fertile flowers surrounded by larger sterile ones. Like macrophylla, it can shift color with soil pH, but tends to display softer, more muted tones.

Distinguished by its cone-shaped (panicle) flower clusters, which emerge white or cream in summer and often age to pink or burgundy by fall. The most cold-hardy and adaptable of the four species.

One of the easiest hydrangeas to grow — it tolerates full sun and is more drought-resistant than other species. Unlike macrophylla and serrata, its bloom colour does not change with soil pH.

Named for its distinctive oak-shaped leaves, this North American native offers exceptional multi-season interest: cone-shaped white flowers in summer, stunning red-orange fall foliage, and attractive exfoliating bark in winter.

It tolerates shade and dry conditions better than most hydrangeas, making it a versatile choice for challenging spots. An excellent option for naturalistic or woodland garden settings.

A North American native known for its large, rounded mophead blooms, most commonly in white or soft green. It is a reliable and low-maintenance species that flowers on new wood each season.

Even if cut back hard in spring, it will reliably bloom that same summer — making it one of the most forgiving hydrangeas for the garden. It is also notably tolerant of shade and cold.