Which Hydrangeas Are Best For Beginners?

Which Hydrangeas Are Best For Beginners?

Hydrangeas are popular landscape shrubs with large, colorful flowers that may appear pink, white, or blue and purple depending on soil acidity. These shrubs have become a fan-favorite for gardeners across the globe for their beauty and utility in the garden. Whether planted in a hedge or cascading out of a container, there is a hydrangea for virtually any need! While the beauty of these bodacious blooms may seem high maintenance, there are a plethora of hydrangea types and varieties that are extremely easy to grow and care for. Whether you're a first-time hydrangea gardener or just someone who doesn't have time to fuss with extra maintenance, these easy-care hydrangeas look beautiful effortlessly. 

8 Easy To Care For Hydrangeas That Great For Beginner Gardeners:

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Three Bobo hydrangea plants covered in white flowers with summer sunshine coming through them.The flowers of Bobo hydrangea turn pink as they age.

Great for small spaces and tough-to-grow sites, Bobo® panicle hydrangea is a tough-as-nails hydrangea for those who are getting used to growing these classic shrubs. No matter your gardening experience, Bobo® will reliably cover itself with so many giant cone-shaped mophead flowers that you can barely see the foliage when it's in bloom! This hydrangea is also exceptionally cold-tolerant, so much so that it actually tends to flower best in growing zones 3-7. 

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Incrediball Blush Smooth Hydrangea has massive blush hued flowersIncrediball Blush hydrangea has very large flower heads, so here , a woman's hand reaches toward the bloom to show its size.

Sturdy, reliable, and incredible; these are just some of the few words to describe Incrediball® Blush smooth hydrangea in the garden! A native hydrangea, Incrediball® Blush shares the same big, bold blooms and impressive stem strength of the original Incrediball® smooth hydrangea, but in a very darling light pink color that blooms all summer long. This type of hydrangea will grow easily in nearly any well-drained soil, making it perfect for beginners looking to adding a pop of pink to their landscape!

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Gatsby Pink Oakleaf Hydrangea has large white flowers that turn vivid pinkGatsby Pink oakleaf hydrangea just beginning to turn pink.

Oakleaf hydrangeas can pretty much do it all, bringing unique beauty to all four seasons, even for beginner gardeners. Some extra-hard-working varieties stand out, like Gatsby Pink® oakleaf hydrangea! It begins to bloom in early summer, and its big, fragrant, lacecap flowers soon take on bright pink tones that persist through frost. Gatsby Pink® also continues to produce new flowers throughout the summer to always look fresh and appealing, with no pruning or trimming necessary to keep it looking neat.

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A climbing hydrangea growing up a mature cottonwood tree, covered in white lacecap flowers. A sculpture of a bird stands at left.A closeup of the white lacecap flowers of climbing hydrangea.

Climbing hydrangea naturally grows as a vine, which produces tiny rootlets that help it cling to trees, arbors, fences, and more. While it may take a few years to establish, little is required for this climber to thrive for years to come. Pruning is only necessary to train, and it has average water needs, though it's not very tolerant of wet soils, so ensure your location is well-drained. Otherwise, this lovely climber smothered with delicate white flowers is virtually maintenance-free!

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Let's Dance Big Band hydrangea in blooming showing both the purple and pink color variations.Pink mophead blooms of Let's Dance Big Band hydrangea showing the center crown of stamens.
Let's Dance Big Band™ bigleaf hydrangea features vibrant pink, purple, and blue flowers that are so easy to grow you'll have more time to pursue your passions; a dance class perhaps? In all seriousness, this hydrangea is a strong rebloomer, and the foliage stays neat and tidy without any pruning or trimming. This hydrangea is also compact and won't outgrow its space, and it is perfect for recreating the Cape Cod look in small borders, containers, and cut flower gardens.
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Tiny Tuff Stuff Mountain Hydrangea has blue or pink blooms depending on phSeveral flowers on Tiny Tuff Stuff Mountain Hydrangea showing their purple blue coloration.

Tiny Tuff Stuff™ mountain hydrangea lives up to its name! The water-lily-like flowers will smother the plant summer through fall, contrasting against dark green foliage. Blooms old wood, so any pruning should be avoided until the following spring before they form flower buds. Aside from that, just be sure this hydrangea sees some sun and afternoon shade and has well-drained, but moist, soil and it will reward you with gorgeous blooms for years. Mountain hydrangeas are also exceptionally cold-tolerant making them a fantastic landscape option for those in zones 5-7.

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Limelight Panicle Hydrangea is a best seller and creates the perfect long flowering hedgeA closeup look of jade green florets that make up the bloom of Limelight hydrangea.

Looking for long-lasting color with minimal maintenance? Flowers from 'Limelight' panicle hydrangea start green, turn white, then go back to green before turning a beautiful pink/burgundy color in autumn. The blooms begins mid-summer through fall, adding appeal to borders, privacy hedges, and pathways. As long as this popular hydrangea is planted in an area with well-drained soil, it should thrive for years to come. Now how easy "peegee" is that? Forgive the puns; and we promise you won't be disappointed!

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Fairytrail White Cascade Hydrangea in a container on a patioClose up of the Fairytrail White Cascading Hydrangea in a container

Cascade hydrangeas are excellent choices for those who live in urban areas, have small gardens, or are looking to deck out a patio! Fairytrail® White cascade hydrangea boasts an abundance of romantic white mophead flowers in the spring, with arching branches featuring dozens of flower nodes. It's heat-tolerant and features an exceptional number of flowers even in the shade; it adapts easily to any landscape or pot with well-drained soil, and no pruning is necessary.

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