17 of the best hydrangea varieties

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Hydrangea is actively used in landscape architecture. It looks great together with roses, lilies, barberry and many other plants. Green hedges from various species of the same class look spectacular. It remains to choose the right variety, based on the composition of the soil, weather conditions, as well as personal preference.

Rating of the best varieties of hydrangeas

Nomination	a place	hydrangea variety	Rating
The best varieties of panicle hydrangeas	1	Grandiflora	4.9
	2	Polar Beer	4.8
	3	Phantom	4.7
	4	Limelight	4.6
The best varieties of tree hydrangeas	1	Annabelle	4.9
	2	Diamant Rouge	4.8
	3	Grandiflora	4.7
	4	Sterilis	4.6
	5	Pink Bella Anna	4.5
	6	White House	4.4
The best varieties of large-leaved hydrangeas	1	Nico blue	4.9
	2	Endless Summe	4.8
	3	Alpengluchen	4.7
	4	Shniebol	4.6
	5	Peppermint	4.5
The best varieties of oak-leaved hydrangeas	1	Snowflake	4.9
	2	The Snow Queen	4.8

The best varieties of panicle hydrangeas

Panicled shrubs are more like trees. They are distinguished by dark green leaves and burgundy buds. It is a frost-hardy type that survives the winter without covering material. Hydrangeas grow quite high (up to 5 meters).

Grandiflora

Rating: 4.9

This species is not too whimsical, however, it is important to follow the basic rules of care in order to get a lush plant. The bush reaches a height of three meters. White flowers delight the eye for three months from the beginning of June. The life span is over 35 years. The bushes can withstand temperatures up to thirty degrees below zero. Some gardeners still insulate the plant with fallen leaves and slate. Most often, Grandiflora is affected by insects and ashtrays. Insecticides are used to combat them. The plant does well in a darkened area and under drought conditions.

Advantages

• high growth of the bush;
• longevity of life;
• abundant and rich flowering;
• good indicators of frost resistance.

disadvantages

• the need for the acidity of the earth;
• flowers do not bear fruit.

Polar Beer

Rating: 4.8

This type of hydrangea is the result of a hybridization of Grandiflora and Limelight. He definitely deserves to be ranked among the best. To the surprise of the breeders, Polar Beer surpassed his relatives. The shrub grows compact. It was not for nothing that they called him 'Polar Bear'. When the plant is completely covered with perfectly white inflorescences, it becomes like a fluffy animal. Sometimes pinkish flowers develop on it. Polar Bear perfectly adapts to climatic conditions. The plant's defenses protect it from toxins in the air and diseases. It chooses high-quality soil in all respects.

Advantages

• spectacular bloom;
• resistance to frosty climates.

disadvantages

• exactingness to the quality of the soil.

Phantom

Rating: 4.7

This variety is a powerful, spreading shrub that grows rather quickly and usually exceeds two meters in height. Young shoots are red-brown in color, and older ones are gray. Large inflorescences have a conical shape and a blunt apex. The phantom is resistant to diseases and does not suffer from fungi, even when planted in moist soil. After the harsh winter months, the bush becomes the same again and blooms magnificently. It can grow in the same place for over thirty years. It is successfully propagated by petioles and layering. Gardening experts advise choosing sunny planting spots.

Advantages

• spectacular inflorescences with a honey aroma;
• excellent adaptability to climate conditions and soil conditions.

disadvantages

• the need for annual pruning.

Limelight

Rating: 4.6

Hydrangea Limelight is a two-meter bush that does not require a garter. Color groups form a pyramid shape. Their height reaches thirty centimeters. They bloom at the end of the summer season and decorate the plant until mid-autumn. The flowers have a juicy citrus color. In partial shade, they turn yellowish, and whiten in the sun. By autumn, a pinkish tint may appear. Gardeners recommend cutting off all shoots before cold weather, this will help keep them under the weight of snow. Maintaining an optimal soil composition is important to produce large flowers. With age, the plant increases its resistance to low temperatures.

Advantages

• not subject to disease;
• tolerates the winter months well;
• unique shade of petals.

disadvantages

• the need for soil with emergent properties;
• the need for feeding.

The best varieties of tree hydrangeas

Shrubs like a tree grow three meters up. They are unpretentious and winter-hardy. Plants in this category can tolerate low rainfall and thrive after spring pruning.

Annabelle

Rating: 4.9

The variety is especially popular with gardeners and deserves a place in the ranking of the best. Anabel shrub grows to a height of no more than 150 centimeters. The size of the globular inflorescences is from fifteen to twenty-five centimeters. They are initially greenish, then turn white. The leaves turn green until the end of autumn. This hydrangea variety shows good frost resistance. It grows quickly and recovers in the spring. In this place, the bush can grow for about 50 years.

Advantages

• not afraid of short-term drought;
• keeps greens until cold weather.

disadvantages

• the need for a spacious area due to the wide crown.

Diamant Rouge

Rating: 4.8

This hydrangea variety is considered the most compact among other paniculate species. In height, it does not exceed one and a half meters. It has strong and strong shoots. Diamant Rouge delights landscape designers with gorgeous bright red flowers. Their length reaches forty centimeters. The owners of summer cottages note that this is one of the most attractive varieties in appearance. In July, the petals are white, after a while they turn pink, and after three weeks they turn red. In August, the inflorescences are purple. They delight the eyes of others for several weeks.

Advantages

• blooms for a long time;
• strong shoots;
• great appearance.

disadvantages

• poor drought tolerance;
• the need for a competent choice of soil.

Grandiflora

Rating: 4.7

Hydrangea Grandiflora is grown as a short tree or shrub. Its flowers are large pyramid-shaped inflorescences. Initially they are creamy white, but at the end they turn pale pink. In autumn, reddish-green petals can be seen on Grandiflora. If the planted bush does not dissolve petals for a long time, you should wait a little. It is necessary to provide him with favorable conditions for development and growth. In the urban area, the bush takes root only with regular and sufficient watering. Grandiflora is susceptible to disease, so garden experts use fungicides to treat it.

Advantages

• rich flowering;
• fast growth;
• durability (over 35 years).

disadvantages

• the need for regular spraying;
• exactingness to the quality of the soil.

Sterilis

Rating: 4.6

In landscape architecture, the Sterilis hydrangea variety is well known. It has a medium leafiness and looks a little loose. The bush reaches a height of more than one meter. The lush flowers are composed of large heart-shaped petals. When they completely bloom, they become boiling white. The variety has an excellent indicator of winter hardiness. Despite this, in areas with harsh climates, special shelter for bushes is required. The plant grows rapidly with buds, it needs pruning in the spring.

Advantages

• excellent growth rate;
• voluminous and lush flowers.

disadvantages

• the need for annual pruning;
• heavy inflorescences provoke shoot wilting.

Pink Bella Anna

Rating: 4.5

Of all the varieties of hydrangeas presented in the rating, this is the youngest species. White Anna pleases her owners with pink paints. Her height reaches one hundred and thirty centimeters. Flowers appear in the first year of the plant's life. Flowering occurs throughout the summer. It stops with the arrival of the first frost. Erect shoots can bend under the weight of large inflorescences. The plant shows high winter hardiness and prefers land with a high coefficient of emergence. Does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Advantages

• excellent appearance;
• a good indicator of winter hardiness.

disadvantages

• capriciousness in relation to the composition of the soil;
• bending of shoots under the force of flowers.

White House

Rating: 4.4

The tree-like White House has a rounded crown and large leaves. Domed inflorescences have a diameter of up to 25 centimeters. Fertile flowers are located in the center, and large ones at the edges. White House blooms from late June to the middle of the first autumn month. The white petals have a pleasant scent that attracts butterflies. The bush is able to keep its shape without additional support. It grows rapidly and gains 20 cm in height every year. Young bushes can freeze, adult plants hibernate without insulation.

Advantages

• original appearance of inflorescences;
• strong shoots;
• high frost resistance.

disadvantages

• poor development without proper care.

The best varieties of large-leaved hydrangeas

Large-leaved bushes do not grow taller than two meters. Strongly freeze out in a harsh winter. Grow well in acidic soils.

Nico blue

Rating: 4.9

Nikko Blue is perhaps the brightest and most beautiful representative of large-leaved hydrangeas. Its name is associated with the blue-blue color of the flowers. The plant is up to 1.5 meters high. Its leaves are richly green and rather large, they have jagged edges along the edges. The shade of the inflorescences is highly dependent on the composition of the soil. Pale blue petals are obtained on slightly acidic soil, and bright blue inflorescences appear in high acidity ground, neutral acidity makes them pinkish. The variety does not differ in high winter hardiness, therefore, the bushes are covered with the onset of cold weather.

Advantages

• flowering duration;
• spectacular variety.

disadvantages

• vulnerability to disease;
• instability to cool climates;
• capriciousness and delicacy.

Endless Summe

Rating: 4.8

This is a well-known hydrangea variety, which occupies a leading position in all kinds of ratings. It belongs to the group of remontant species. Endless Summer blooms even after extreme cold weather. It got the name 'endless summer' due to the ability to form buds more than once a year. The color of the petals varies from pink to bluish, depending on the soil composition. Sometimes there are multi-colored petals on the same bush. Growers are advised to protect the soil with mulch and insulate the bushes for the winter with non-woven material.

Advantages

• flowering in the first planting season;
• high rate of winter hardiness;
• immunity to powdery mildew.

disadvantages

• exactingness to the soil composition;
• the need for certain illumination;
• the need for pruning in the spring.

Alpengluchen

Rating: 4.7

The hydrangea variety Alpengluchen has been decorating the garden with its red inflorescences for a long time. It is grown in central Russia and covered for the winter. It is worth taking care of the acidity of the soil, the shrub prefers to grow in the ground with a certain percentage of it. Lime soil is destructive for him. The variety blooms in the middle of summer. In a moderate winter, flowers appear in May. Alpengluchen loves warmth and constant abundant watering. Flowers are in the shape of balls and up to 25 centimeters in diameter. Egg-shaped leaves have a rich green color.

Advantages

• abundant flowers;
• earlier blooming of petals;
• long flowering period.

disadvantages

• requires regular watering;
• does not tolerate frost well.

Shniebol

Rating: 4.6

The next participant in the Shniebol rating is a compact shrub with shiny leaves of a rich green color. The height of an adult specimen reaches 120 centimeters. The round inflorescences are white and have jagged edges of the petals. The variety loves diffused light, partial shade. We must not forget to water the Shniebol. Up to minus 25 degrees, he can do without shelter. The decorative period is from the middle of the summer season to September. Judging by the reviews of gardeners, this is not the most whimsical type of hydrangea. It can grow in different conditions. However, a lush bush can only be seen on drained soils that are fertilized with humus and have increased acidity.

Advantages

• compactness of the bush;
• increased winter hardiness.

disadvantages

• growing difficulties for beginners;
• whimsical care.

Peppermint

Rating: 4.5

Серия зимостойких видов Forever&Ever включает в себя ремонтантный вид Peppermint. In June, the bush pleases with inflorescences from the buds of last year, and after that petals from new shoots bloom. It attracts the attention of breeders with its two-color. Inflorescence petals can be pink or bluish in the middle and white around the edge. The bush usually does not grow more than 0.9 m. It has a compact ball-shaped crown. In order for the plant to develop fully, it needs a sunny area.

Advantages

• original color of flowers;
• repaired view.

disadvantages

• requires proper care.

The best varieties of oak-leaved hydrangeas

Oak-leaved hydrangea varieties are an elegant plant that is resistant to negative weather conditions. It is patient with temperature changes, but it is not advised to overcool it. Large leaves resemble oak in shape.

Snowflake

Rating: 4.9

Luxurious snowflakes brushes will provide a real winter garden at their summer cottage. Thick bushes in the form of snow-white balls delight others from spring to late summer. By the end of flowering, the petals acquire a reddish-green color. Oak-shaped leaves provide an unusual appearance. In the fall, they turn maroon. The snowflake is not as demanding on regular watering as other species. The growth rate of hydrangea is average. She prefers acidic soils and tolerates changing weather conditions well. Young plants are advised to be covered before winter.

Advantages

• good drought tolerance;
• original appearance;
• long flowering.

disadvantages

• picky about the composition of the soil.

The Snow Queen

Rating: 4.8

The oak-leaved variety Snow Queen is a unique shrub native to Southeast America. The crown diameter reaches 1.8 meters. The growth rate is moderate. Conical inflorescences are composed of snow-white petals. Compared to paniculate varieties, the Snow Queen is not so winter hardy. Therefore, it is recommended to cover the bushes by bending the shoots. But this variety grows well even on dry or too wet soil. It is important to provide drainage during planting so that the root collar does not become infected with fungus. If you know how to properly care for the Snow Queen, you can enjoy the snow-white flowers in June and July, and at the end of the season, admire the petals of a deep burgundy hue.

Advantages

• good endurance of adult bushes;
• beautiful appearance.

disadvantages

• many features for planting and care.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.