Hydrangea
hydrangea
There are many varieties, and many species of Hydrangea available these days, but not all of them do well especially well in our Northwest ND and Eastern MT region. You will find box stores offering many hip varieties with exotic colors of blue and purple. Many of those varieties will not tolerate our generally poor soil, or our cold climate. Below we have listed the varieties of Hydrangea that we carry. All are relatively easy to grow and are good for our climate and soil when planted appropriately.
These smooth leaf hydrangea have large white puffball flowers beginning in mid June and lasting most of the summer. The newer variety (Incrediball) boasts a sturdier more upright stem to support the large flowers. These smooth leaf hydrangea can tolerate only part of a day's sun. They would not be recommended for a hot West or South exposure as they would have a tendency to become too dry and the leaves could burn. Ideal locations are North and East. These hydrangea blooms undergo a change as they develop, they begin a chartreuse (pale green) and mature a rich white.
“They would not be recommended for a hot West or South exposure as they would have a tendency to become too dry and the leaves could burn. Ideal locations are North and East. ”
annabelle smooth hydrangea
Height: 4 - 5 ft
Spread: 4 - 5 ft
Foliage: Bright Green
Fall Foliage: Insignificant
Zone: 3 - 9
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Improved selection of Hydrangea arborescens 'Grandiflora'. White flower heads are more erect than 'Grandiflora'. Thrives in shade. Flowers may be small the first year, normal size by the second year.
Uses:
Accent plant, foundation plant, mass planting
INCREDIBALL® SMOOTH HYDRANGEA
Height: 4 - 5 ft
Spread: 4 - 5 ft
Foliage: Bright Green
Fall Foliage: Insignificant
Zone: 3 - 9
Hydrangea arborescens 'Abetwo'
A superb improvement, with giant blooms that have roughly 4 times as many flowers as 'Annabelle'. The show begins in midsummer with huge round blooms clustered atop sturdy branches that are surrounded by medium green oval leaves. Cut back in spring to promote flowering on summer wood. Fantastic as a specimen shrub or in a border.
Uses:
Accent plant, foundation plant, mass planting
The below varieties are sometimes referred to as Panicle (Pan-I-CALL) hydrangea and have a greater tolerance for hot all day sun. These hydrangea do not begin their summer show until generally after the 4th of July. Starting in Mid-July and going until well into October, the blooms of these hydrangea varieties also undergo changes beginning green to somewhat white and maturing to a rich full color and then fading and actually drying to a dustier pinkish red. People save and use dried Hydrangea blooms for all sorts of purposes and often for decorating inside their homes.
“Starting in Mid-July and going until well into October, the blooms of these hydrangea varieties also undergo changes...”
bobo® hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'ILVOBO'
This dwarf hydrangea will turn heads! Developed by the same breeder as Pinky Winky™, Bobo is a delightful dwarf hydrangea that is engulfed by large white flowers in summer. The flowers are held upright on strong stems, and continue to grow and lengthen as they bloom. This early blooming variety has already won the Gold Floral award for best novelty plant, and is an undeniable asset to any small garden.
Uses:
Accent plant, foundation plant, mass planting
Height: 2.5 - 3 ft
Spread: 3 - 4 ft
Foliage: Bright Green
Fall Foliage: Insignificant
Zone: 3 - 9
little lime® hydrangea
Height: 3 - 5 ft
Spread: 3 - 5 ft
Foliage: Bright Green
Fall Foliage: Insignificant
Zone: 3 - 8
Hydrangea paniculata 'Jane'
A dwarf form of the extremely popular 'Limelight' hydrangea, Little Lime™ has the same great flowers but is about a third the size of the original. Soft lime-green flowers mature to pink and burgundy in fall.
Uses:
Accent plant, foundation plant, mass planting
Limelight Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
As the name implies 'Limelight' has exquisite, bright, lime-green to cream flowers, a beautiful color that adds a much needed brightness to the late summer landscape. In autumn the blooms display shades of pink, burgundy and green. Excellent vigor and floriferous blooming. Prefers loamy, moist, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Flowers on new wood so it can be pruned in winter or early spring.
Uses:
Accent plant, foundation plant, mass planting
Height: 6 - 8 ft
Spread: 5 - 7 ft
Foliage: Bright Green
Fall Foliage: Insignificant
Zone: 3 - 8
Quick Fire® Hydrangea
Height: 6 - 8 ft
Spread: 6 - 8 ft
Foliage: Bright Green
Fall Foliage: Insignificant
Zone: 3 - 8
Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk'
Quick to bloom, a month earlier than other varieties. Will flower in late May or early June depending on your location. The flowers begin to turn deep pink before 'Pink Diamond' even begins to show flowers. A terrific way to extend the hydrangea season.
Uses:
Accent plant, foundation plant, mass planting
In addition to these varieties that we have above we also generally have a few of the varieties each year available as a tree form. These varieties have been pruned, grafted, or bred as a tree or "standard" and look like a small (8 - 10 ft) tree with the characteristics of the shrub.