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There are a number of different types of hydrangeas:

Hydrangea Arborescens ‘Grandiflora’ - Hills of Snow Hydrangea

Hydrangea Paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ - Pee Gee Hydrangea

Hydrangea Macrophylla or Florist Hydrangea

Hydrangea Quercifolia - Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea Anomala Petiolaris - Climbing Hydrangea


Prune Hills of Snow to the ground each year in winter or early spring. Flowers will grow on the new growth.

Pee Gee Hyndrangea - Showy displays of large white flowers in mid to late summer, gradually turning pink as they age. Deadhead after flowers fade. This plant needs annual pruning or it will become overgrown and very congested. Cut back previous season’s growth to about 2 to 4 nodes each late winter / early spring. This plant can be grown as a single stem or multi-stemmed specimen. Often used in the background of a garden.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea - Good fall color, oakleaf shaped leaves and attractive flowers usually ivory white. Prune for size and shape in early spring.

Climbing Hydrangeas-                                                                        
Early summer flowering. The plant will attach itself to a trellis or walls. Keep thinned to a wall or trellis to prevent snow damage. This plant also needs to be deadheaded after flowering. Flowers are an attractive ivory white color. Trim as needed to control growth. May be slow to start but seems to grow much faster after it has become comfortable with it’s site.

Most all Hydrangeas like a little shade and some full sun. Some varieties will tolerate full sun more than others. The white flowered ‘Lonard’ seems to take more full sun than ‘Anna Belle’. Some macrophylla types will get more blue color from aluminum sulphate and more pink with added limestone. There is a place in almost every landscape for some type of hydrangea. A truly versatile plant.