Hydrangea plants are one of the few shrubs that can tolerate shade and still produce large flower heads. Hydrangeas can also tolerate sun in the north as well, where it doesn’t get quite as hot as it does in the south. Today’s hydrangeas are available with blooms in the original snowball shape, elongated cone shape or the more delicate-looking lacecap hydrangea flowers. Even the foliage offers interest as some have leaves in the oakleaf shape, while others retain the original leaf shape. And now, there is a variegated hydrangea. This hydrangea has leaves that are bordered with white.
Here at Jackson & Perkins, we offer many cultivars of hydrangea plants for sale, with a wide variety of colored flowers. These magnificent hydrangea flowers range in color from the original white to lime green, blue, pink, red and lavender. Some hydrangea flower heads start white and gradually add color for a continually changing display. Hydrangeas are affected by the pH of the soil they are grown in. The same plant will have pink blooms if grown in alkaline soil or blue flowers if the soil is acidic. If you have a preference, choose the color you prefer and amend the soil accordingly.
Hydrangeas come in different sizes, depending on the variety you choose. All hydrangeas are beautiful and full plants that can also be used as a hedge plant, or they are great as a foundation plant.
Don’t forget — hydrangeas can provide year-round beauty if you pick some of the flowers for a dried flower arrangement. Enjoy the hydrangea flowers all winter long.