Hydrangea Guide

Lurvey carries over 30 varieties of hydrangeas, each with different growth habits, flower colors, and care needs. While this variety can feel overwhelming, most hydrangeas share similar preferences, including rich, moist, well-drained soil and several hours of sun, with protection from hot afternoon sun. This guide outlines each variety by name, flower color, size, and light requirements.

Smooth Hydrangea (H. arborescens) –

White or pink mophead flowers bloom on new wood. Prefers 4 hours of direct morning sun or filtered through the day. If planted in shade, stems stretch and become so thin that they cannot support flowers. Flowers do not change with the pH of the soil. Only prune 1/3 to shape or size in spring, but fall is good if you do not want winter interest of the dried flower heads.

Annabelle	White	3’-4’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Shade
Flowerfull	White	3’-4’ x 4’-5’	Sun – Part Shade
Incrediball	White	4’-5’ x 4’-5’	Sun – Part Shade
Invincibelle Spirit	Pink	3’ x 3’-5′	Sun – Part Shade
Wee White	White	2’-3’ x 2’-3’	Sun – Part Shade

Big Leaf Hydrangea (H. macrophylla) –

White, pink, rose, blue, and purple mophead flowers bloom on new and old wood. Repeat bloomers, prune flowers when they’re finished blooming. Prune off dead stems or shape in spring when stems show buds. Fertilize through July to maintain blooms. Flowers can change colors due to the pH of the soil. Plants have good fall color.

Bloomstruck	Pink/Blue	3’-4’ x 4’-5’	Sun – Part Shade
Endless Summer	Pink/Blue	3’-4’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Part Shade
Lets Dance Arriba	Pink/Blue	2’-3’ x 2’-3’	Sun – Part Sun
Lets Dance Can Do	Pink/Blue	3’-4’ x 3’	Sun – Part Sun
Monrovia	Pink/Blue	3’-4’ x 3’	Sun – Shade
Summer Crush	Red/Pink	2’-3’ x 2’-3’	Sun – Part Shade

Mountain Hydrangea (H. serrata) –

Pink, blue, red lacecap flowers. Repeat bloomer, blooms on new and old wood. Similar to H. macrophylla, the pH of the soil can change flower color. Little pruning is needed to remove spent flowers or to shape.

Tuff Stuff	Pink/Blue	2’-3’ x 2’-3’	Sun – Shade
Tiny Tuff Stuff	Pink/Blue	1’-2’ x 1’-2’	Sun – Shade

Panicle Hydrangea (H. paniculata) –

White, lime, pink, rose panicle flowers, blooms on new wood. Prefers 4-6 hours direct sun, stems grow stronger, and more flowers develop with more sun, although mid-day shade is good. Once established it can take droughts, but too much of hot/dry weather can mean less blooms. Water during dry times. Prune in spring above new bud growth to shape.

Bobo	White	2’-3’ x 3’	Sun – Shade
Fire Light	White to Pink	4’-6’ x 4’-6’	Sun – Shade
Fire Light Tidbit	White to Pink	2’-3’ x 3’	Sun – Part Sun
Limelight	Lime White	8’-10’ x 8’-10’	Sun – Shade
Limelight Prime	Green to Pink	5’-6’ x 4’-5’	Sun – Shade
Little Lime	Lime White	3’-5’ x 4’-5’	Sun – Shade
Little Lime Punch	White to Red	3’-5’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Part Sun
Little Quickfire	White to Pink	3’-5’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Shade
Quickfire	White to Pink/Red	6’-8’ x 6’-8’	Sun – Shade
Quickfire Fab	White to Pink	6’-8’ x 6’-8’	Sun – Shade
Love-A-Lot Pink	White to Pink	4’-5’ x 4’-5’	Sun – Part Sun
Pink Diamond	White to Pink	8’-10’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Part Sun
Pinky Winky	White to Pink	6’-8’ x 8’-12’	Sun – Part Shade
Puffer Fish	White	3’-5’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Part Shade

Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia) –

White, pink, panicle flowers. Blooms on old wood. Prune after flowering to shape. All have attractive exfoliating bark and great fall colors.

Alice	White to Pink	6’-8’ x 6’-8’	Sun – Shade
Jet Stream	White to Pink	5’-6’ x 4’-5’	Sun – Part Shade
Munchkin	White to Pink	3’-5’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Part Shade
Pee Wee	White to Pink	3’-4’ x 2’-3’	Sun – Part Shade
Ruby Slippers	Pink	3’-4’ x 3’-5’	Sun – Shade