Looking for a plant that makes an instant impact? You can’t go wrong with hydrangeas. With their bold, leafy foliage and large, show-stopping flowerheads, they bring structure, texture, and colour to any garden. Hydrangeas thrive in shade, lighting up darker corners and creating a beautiful backdrop for other plants. In late summer, they take centre stage as their spectacular blooms burst into colour. Easy to care for and wonderfully versatile, hydrangeas deserve a place in every garden.
How to Grow Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas grow best in moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade. One of the most fascinating things about Hydrangea macrophylla (mopheads and lacecaps) is that their flower colour changes with the soil’s pH. In acidic soil, the blooms turn blue; in alkaline soil, they turn pink. White hydrangeas, however, keep their colour whatever the soil type.
For tips on keeping your hydrangeas healthy and blooming beautifully, see this simple guide to pruning hydrangeas.
Popular Types of Hydrangeas
No matter your garden size or style, there’s a hydrangea to suit:
- Hydrangea macrophylla (Mopheads and Lacecaps): Mopheads have large, rounded flowerheads, while lacecaps are flatter with a delicate ring of florets around a centre of tiny blooms. Colours range from red and pink to blue and white.
- Hydrangea paniculata: Tall and striking, these hydrangeas produce conical flowerheads in late summer that often change colour through the season.
- Hydrangea arborescens: Known for their huge domed flowerheads, these are truly spectacular in full bloom. The best-known variety, ‘Annabelle’, is famous for its enormous white flowerheads.
- Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris and Hydrangea seemannii): Perfect for shady walls or fences. They take a little while to establish but reward your patience with lush coverage and masses of flowers.
Landscaping Ideas with Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas bring texture, colour, and drama to garden borders — and they flower for months on end. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of them:
- Create contrast: Their large, rounded blooms look fantastic beside finer plants such as ornamental grasses or airy perennials.
- Grow in containers: Mophead hydrangeas are compact enough for large pots — perfect for brightening a shady patio or seating area.
- Use repetition for impact: Plant pink or blue varieties throughout a mixed border to create harmony and visual rhythm.
- Light up dark corners: White-flowered hydrangeas are brilliant for adding brightness and freshness to shaded spots.
- Add year-round interest: Hydrangeas fill gaps in borders quickly and their dried flowerheads can be left over winter for structure and beauty. They also make excellent cut flowers.
Visit Us
Our garden centre offers a fantastic range of hydrangeas and other shade-loving plants to suit every space. Whether you’re after bold colour, elegant whites, or climbing varieties, come and explore our great selection — and let our team help you find the perfect hydrangea for your garden.
