Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla [Bigleaf Hydrangea] Beautiful flowers that are borne as either mopheads (hortensias), which are globular masses of mostly showy sterile flowers, or lacecaps, which are flat-topped clusters that have an outer ring of showy flowers surrounding small, less-showy fertile flowers in the center. In general, an acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower in most cultilvar, and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Lower flower production in cold climates, and performs poorly on hot dry sites. A…
Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' [sold as Endless Summer®] [Endless Summer Bigleaf Hydrangea] 'Bailmer' is an excellent mophead (hortensia) cultivar for cold climates, as it is hardy to USDA zone 4 and produces flowers on both old and new growth, unlike other Hydrangea macrophylla variants. As the name Endless Summer suggests, this plant blooms all summer, and even into the fall. An acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Performs poorly on hot dry sites. A few pest problems, including…
Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii Variegata' [Variegated Bigleaf Hydrangea] This cultivar has beautiful variegated foliage and lacecap flowers. An acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower, and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Lower flower production in cold climates, and performs poorly on hot dry sites. A few pest problems, including scale, mites, powdery mildew, and leaf spot.
Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla 'Robert' [sold as Let's Dance Moonlight™] [Let's Dance Moonlight Bigleaf Hydrangea] Let's Dance Moonlight Bigleaf Hydrangea is a mophead cultivar that reblooms throughout the late summer months (July-September). Slightly more compact than the straight species, Let's Dance Moonlight cultivar typically grows 2 to 3' in height and in width. Like most of hydrangeas, flower color depends on the acidity of the soil (blue for more acidic and pink for more basic soils). Best use of this shrub would be in mass plantings.
Shrub Hydrangea paniculata [Panicle Hydrangea] Very hardy and adaptable plant, difficult to kill. So coarse, the straight species does not always combine well in the landscape. Remove grown flowers late in fall as they are not attractive. Can become straggly and unkempt with age.
Shrub Hydrangea paniculata 'Ilvobo' [sold as Bobo®] [Bobo Panicle Hydrangea] This particular cultivar of the panicle hydrangea is a small deciduous shrub ranging from 6 to 10' in height and known for its spectacular flower show, beginning in July and lasting through September. The flowers begin as a bright and clean white that slowly matures to a reddish purple. Flowers bloom on the current season's growth, so prune late winter into early spring.
Shrub Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' [sold as Limelight®] [Limelight Panicle Hydrangea] 'Limelight' has large, dense, upright flower panicles that emerge white, change to lime-green, then rosey pink, ultimately becoming beige at the very end. Very hardy and adaptable plant, difficult to kill.
