8 Types Of Hydrangeas And How to Grow Them In The South

Bigleaf Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla
• Sun Exposure: Partial, dappled
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
• Soil pH: 4.5-7.5

Also known as French hydrangea, this shrub is one of the most popular across Southern states. It blooms in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June. This hydrangea grows in a rounded shrub shape, and it has big, shiny leaves (hence the name "bigleaf") to accompany its globular blooms. While most hydrangeas can tolerate some dryness, bigleaf is a little less hardy and needs regular water, especially in the heat of summer. The blooms of H. macrophylla can change color depending on the pH of the soil.

Popular named selections: 'All Summer Beauty,' 'Ami Pasquier,' 'Ayesha,' 'Big Daddy,' 'Blue Wave,' 'Blushing Bride,' 'Buttons 'n Bows,' 'Dear Delores,' 'Domotoi,' 'Dooley,' 'Endless Summer,' 'Fuji Waterfall,' 'Glowing Embers,' 'L.A. Dreamin',' 'Lanarth White,' 'Lemon Wave,' 'Mini Penny,' 'Nikko Blue,' 'Penny Mac,' 'Pia,' 'Twist-n-Shout,' 'Variegata'

Climbing Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea anomala
• Sun Exposure: Partial, dappled, full shade
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, rich
• Soil pH: 5.5-7.0

While the hydrangeas you likely know and love best are blooming shrubs like bigleaf and panicle, this hydrangea type takes the form of a deciduous vine. Climbing hydrangea produces striking blooms—white lace-cap flowers that bloom in late spring and summer—as well as eye-catching foliage which turns yellow in autumn. This flowering vine is an aggressive climber and can reach heights of 60 feet or more as long it has a sturdy support system to cling to. Don't try to grow it south of Zone 8, as it may wilt during excessively hot summers.

Rough Leaf Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea aspera
• Sun Exposure: Partial, dappled
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, rich
• Soil pH: 5.0-8.0
  

Native to Eastern Asia, this hydrangea can grow 8-12 feet tall and wide in the right conditions. It produces dark green or burgundy-green leaves and wide, flat clusters of purplish-white and pink fertile blooms surrounded by varying shades of sterile flowers. The fuzzy leaves may have burgundy undersides. These hydrangeas are sometimes labeled as subspecies H. a. villosa and are not as easily found in nurseries. This hydrangea can be grown in Zones 7 to 9 or 10.

Popular named selections: 'Red Fred,' 'Plum Passion,' 'Burgundy Bliss'

Japanese Hydrangea Vine

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea hydrangeoides, previously Schizophragma hydrangeoides
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, rich
• Soil pH: 5.0-8.0

The Japanese hydrangea vine is usually labeled Schizophragma hydrangeoides at the nursery and sometimes called false hydrangea vine or Chinese hydrangea vine. We're including it here as the plant was reclassified as a hydrangea in recent years. This vigorous deciduous vine takes time to establish, but can climb to 40 or 50 feet high. The plant has toothy, heart-shaped leaves and lacy flowers surrounded by a scattering of single sepals that can be white or pink. Give your vine good support and plant it in rich, moist soil in Zones 5-9. It is very tolerant of sun and shade, but blooms best in partial sun in the South.

Popular named selections: 'Rose Sensation,' 'Flirty Girl,' 'Moonlight'

Mountain Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea serrata
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial, dappled
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
• Soil pH: 4.5-7.5

This type of hydrangea looks much like a bigleaf lacecap hydrangea, but is a little more compact. Some varieties produce blue-hued blooms, like 'Blue Billow;' others produce pink lace-caps, like 'Purple Tiers' and 'Woodlander.' Still more, like 'Preziosa,' produce cream blooms that age to more vibrant colors, including reds and blues. Many can grow in Zones 5-9. Just like with bigleafs, the blooms of most selections can change color depending on the pH of the soil in which they are planted (acid = blue, alkaline = pink). In cooler climates, H. serrata can be grown in full sun in consistently moist soil. In most of the South, it should be grown in light or dappled shade.

Popular named selections: 'Akishino-temari,' 'Beni-gaku,' 'Blue Billow,' 'Bluebird,' 'Blue Deckle,' 'Grayswood,' 'Kurohime,' 'Pretty Maiden,' 'Preziosa,' 'Purple Tiers,' 'Woodlander'

Oakleaf Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea quercifolia
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, rich
• Soil pH: 5.0-6.5

This hydrangea is native to North America and grows as far south as the Florida Panhandle. Oakleaf hydrangea has distinctive leaves that resemble those of oak trees, which is where it gets its common name. It produces white, panicle-style blooms. Fancy new varieties like Tara produce more thickly clustered blooms, while 'Ruby Slippers' has white flowers that age to deep pink. Oakleaf hydrangea can reach heights and widths of 6 to 8 feet in optimal conditions, including full sun or partial shade and moist, well-drained soil amended with plenty of organic matter. Oakleaf hydrangea doesn't bloom as much or grow as lush in full shade.

Popular named selections: 'Alice,' 'Harmony,' 'Jetstream,' 'Pee Wee,' 'Ruby Slippers,' 'Semmes Beauty,' 'Snowflake,' 'Snow Queen,' 'Tara'

Panicle Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea paniculata
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.0-8.0

If you're looking for a fuss-free hydrangea that can survive the heat of the Southern sun, this is your plant. This "peegee" hydrangea can do double duty in the garden. It's a deciduous shrub that can grow big, bushy, and tall or it can be trained into the form of a small tree. This popular planting has many much-loved selections, including 'Grandifora,' or peegee hydrangea, which is often grown upright as a tree. The flowers of panicle hydrangea bloom white and fade to pink as they age. In hotter climates (many will grow in Zone 9), this hydrangea still appreciates a little shade in the afternoon. It likes average, well-drained soil and needs a lot less watering than other hydrangeas.

Popular named selections: 'Grandiflora,' 'Limelight,' 'Little Lime,' 'Little Quick Fire,' 'Kyushu,' 'Moon Dance,' 'Pink Diamond,' 'Pinky-Winky,' 'Tardiva,' 'White Diamonds'

Smooth Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea arborescens
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
• Soil pH: 5.0-7.0
  

This type of hydrangea also is native to North America, including down in Southern states like Florida and Louisiana. The big, mophead flowers are usually white or green, though there are some newer varieties like 'Incrediball Blush' in pale pink. Selections like 'Annabelle' are stunning and produce huge flower clusters. This hydrangea is tolerant of cold temperatures, and it's one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow, needing only partial shade and regular water to thrive. It can only take full sun in consistently moist soil.

Popular named selections: 'Annabelle,' 'Bella Anna,' 'Grandiflora,' 'Incrediball,' 'Invincibelle,' 'White Dome'