7k gardener saves
Hydrangea: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 105 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Hydrangea varieties
Of 105 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedIncrediball Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball'
#2 most savedLimelight Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
#3 most savedBobo Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bobo'
Little Lime Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Lime'
Bloomstruck Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bloomstruck'
All Summer Beauty Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty'
Annabelle Hydrangea Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Snowflake Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake'
Invincibelle Spirit II Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Invincibelle Spirit II'
Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Ruby Slippers'
Little Lime Punch Hydrangea
Hydrangea x macrophylla 'Little Lime Punch'
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Gatsby Gal'
Browse all 105 Hydrangea varieties →
How to grow Hydrangea
What the Hydrangea varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Hydrangea year
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Shape lightly immediately after flowering; do not prune after August
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring
- MulchMarch and April88% of varieties
Refresh mulch layer in spring; apply 2-3 inches in fall for insulation
- Spring CleanupFebruary57% of varieties
Remove only dead or damaged wood before new growth begins
- DeadheadJune–September33% of varieties
Remove spent blooms to maintain a tidy appearance.
Do
- Water consistently to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Mulch to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Hydrangea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Distorted or sticky leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with horticultural oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Spray with strong jet of water or insecticidal soap |
| Scale insects | Yellowing leaves and sticky residue | Apply horticultural oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-drained soil and reduce watering |
Making more Hydrangea
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 4-6 inch sections and remove lower leaves.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep in indirect light for 6 weeks until rooted.
Division
- Dig up mature shrub in early spring or fall.
- Divide into sections with roots attached.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Hydrangea questions
How many types of Hydrangea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 105 distinct Hydrangea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 7k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Hydrangea grow in?
Across its varieties, Hydrangea covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Hydrangea bloom?
Most Hydrangea varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Hydrangea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Hydrangea
Hydrangea shows up in
Design with Hydrangea in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
