Hydrangea macrophylla Glowing Embers (Alpengluhen) was developed almost 50 years ago, and is still considered the finest mophead. This German classic has often been difficult to find and, like all of our Hydrangeas, is among the showiest of summer- and autumn-flowering woody plants. Compact Glowing Embers is quite vigorous, only 3 feet tall and wide, with large, bold green leaves little troubled by pest or disease. Easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil in full to part shade, it performs well on the coast. Zones 6-9. One-gallon container.

Flowers begin in early summer and continue through mid-fall.

Hydrangea paniculata that blooms at the same time as the H. macrophyllas, Quick Fire is a gardener’s dream come true. This very vigorous, lovely shrub sets masses of white-to-rosy-pink flowers at the first breath of hot weather, and continues the show through summer and into fall. Our gardens could all use an extra 4 to 5 weeks of color, and that’s exactly what Quick Fire delivers — even in areas with cold winters and late spring frosts!These large, loosely-held blooms open creamy-white, then quickly turn a deep rosy-pink that is a bit unusual in hue and very eye-catching.

Their color isn’t affected by soil pH, so you can plant Quick Fire alongside your blue H. macrophyllas in acidic soil and still be assured of rosy blooms. And since this Hydrangea flowers on new wood, they will continue to arise even late in the season — a real boon for those of us in climates prone to late-spring frosts that kill the buds of our Hydrangeas. Quick Fire is a German introduction, growing vigorously 6 to 8 feet high and wide at maturity. It thrives in full sun in all but the very hottest climates, and grows quickly. Treat yourself to an extra month of fine color with this exciting new introduction! Zones 4-8.

Quick-growing beauty from a Wayside Exclusive!

Searching for just the right look for the front of the border — Buttons ‘N Bows is an excellent choice. The fascinating color of this quick-growing, compact Hydrangea is a striking source of beauty. This plant works equally well in containers or as a foundation planting. The densely packed florets in each large, rounded flowerhead emerge light green, then they turn a deep pink with startling white edges. This contrast creates a charming picotee effect.The leathery mid- to dark green foliage is an outstanding foil for the flowers which arise in summer. This is a low growing plant, reaching 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Buttons ‘n Bows? thrives in well-drained soil enriched with organics and should be planted 5 feet apart in full sun (light shade is best in the south). Zones 6-9.

Just 4 feet tall, this plant concentrates all its energy on flower production!

One of Europe’s best-kept secrets, this exceptionally floriferous Hydrangea displays the entire range of purple and blue, from deep lavender to dusty mauve — often within a single 6-inch flowerhead. Needless to say, it is absolutely unrivalled as a cutflower, where a single bloom makes a varied and colorful bouquet, but I have to admit I am too fond of the sight of a fully-blooming garden specimen to cut many of the plentiful blooms. The flowers open a rich lavender-blue, then quickly change to various shades of lighter lilac and purple, eventually settling on a pleasing mauve. Spectacular by itself or planted among pink or white Hydrangeas, it reaches only 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide — small enough for the patio, yet large enough to make a dramatic impact even in a large bed or border.

The flowers begin in midsummer, flanked by glossy green foliage that stays attractive from spring through fall. It needs a bit of shade and good moisture during the hot summer months, but once established is wonderfully tolerant of drought and heat, making it a fine choice for the Deep South as well as the arid West. It prefers acidic soil, but thrives in any moist, well-drained setting. Zones 6-9.

Blooms begin in June, a full month sooner than other Hydrangeas!

Forever Pink is the best truly dwarf Hydrangea, slowly reaching a height of 2 to 3 feet instead of the usual 5. Flowers appear in June, a month earlier than most, and continue until frost. Rich, clear pink flowers in 4-inch heads become rosy-red in cool weather. Its compact growth (3-foot spread), globular shape, and glossy, rich foliage, which stays green until hard frost, make it perfect for specimen, foundation, or low hedge planting.Hydrangeas are among the showiest of summer- and autumn-flowering woody plants. Shade-tolerant, they grow well under trees or on the shady side of a building. Plant singly as focal points, or mass together for stunning borders. Forms of H. macrophylla are also splendid for coastal plantings. Dry heads for beautiful arrangements. Zones 6-9. One-gallon container.

The Halo series of compact Hydrangeas offers large, picotee blooms held up on strong stems.

The only lacecap Hydrangea in the world to sport picoteed blooms, Angel Lace would be breathtaking even if it weren’t also so beautiful in its own right. These huge 8- to 8 1/2-inch inflorescences arise very freely on well-branched shrubs, dazzling with their combination of an outer ring of large sterile flowers of either pink or blue, each neatly edged in white, surrounding a dense inner circle of fertile flowers of pink or blue. They appear abundantly in late spring and early summer, are irresistible for cutting, and stand out from the garden like a beacon, signalling the presence of something utterly unique and highly prized.

The Halo series of Hydrangeas introduces an entirely new look to this colorful shrub. Compact enough for containers (Angel Lace is a bit larger than most at 4 to 5 feet high and wide, but still suitable for container growth), the Halos offer picotee blooms of either pink or blue, held in very large clusters on strong stems that won’t flop in garden or vase. Quite cold-hardy, they are very heavy bloomers, offering nonstop flowers from late spring well into summer. Brought to us from Europe (where they were marketed as the Frau? series) but originally bred in Japan in the 1990′s by Hiroshi Ebihara, this series arose from crosses of H. ‘Crystal Halo’ x H. ‘Silver Edge.’

They are wonderfully dependable, hardworking, and a pleasure in any setting. To see more Halos (all of them mopheads), click here for Angel Wings, Angel Smile, or Angel Eves. Like most Hydrangeas, Angel Lace thrives in afternoon shade and well-worked, enriched soil. It is a fine choice for the border, and makes a stunning foundation planting. It is even suitable for use as a hedge. Do consider this most distinctive Halo for your landscape; there is none like it anywhere in the world. Zones 6-9.

Hydrangea ‘Kardinal’ – The most colorful Hydrangea yet, with large 6-inch flowerheads combining deep lavender-blue and bright rosy-pink on super-floriferous plants. The flowers arise in midsummer on compact shrubs just 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It’s exceptionally heat- and humidity-tolerant, too, so expect it to succeed where others have not!Qty 1 1-quart. Zones 6 – 9.

Hydrangea ‘Penny Mac’ – The best Hydrangea for the far north! Penny Mac reblooms heavily in autumn on new wood, so even if you miss its first flush of color, you’ll get a full season of these glorious blue blooms every year! The flowers arise in 7-inch clusters, spectacular for fresh and dried arrangements and breathtaking on a fully-blooming shrub. 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, Penny Mac is perfect for the foundation or back of the border.ty 1 Trade Gallon (3qt). Zones 5 – 9.

Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ – Annabelle – One of the most beloved shrubs grown in American gardens, Annabelle is a terrifically floriferous white mophead that just keeps getting better as the season continues! At first the white “”snowballs”" are “”just”" 8 or 9 inches across, but as the season progresses, they reach a full foot wide and nicely rounded! This Hydrangea is also one of the few suitable for northern gardens — it was discovered in anna, Illinois, and it’s never looked back, blooming reliably over a long summer season. Very heat- and humidity-tolerant. 4 feet.Qty 1 Trade Gallon (3qt). Zones 4 – 9.

Discovered in an Anna, Illinois, garden, ‘Annabelle’ is perhaps the most popular old-fashioned shrub grown in American gardens today. From early summer till fall, it produces enormous 12-inch snowballs of pure white –interestingly, the flower size increases as the season continues, so that the final flush is an extraordinary show.

Growing to 4 feet, Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ is a splendid landscape plant that never gets out of bounds. It complements every other color in the garden, and is a marvelous companion to the slightly larger blue ‘Nikko Blue’ and the more compact, often hard to locate brilliant red ‘Glowing Embers’. For a patriotic planting in full bloom on the 4th of July, consider using all 3 varieties.

‘Annabelle’ is shade-tolerant but also enjoys heat and humidity. Very easy to grow once established, it is a lovely source of fresh and dried arrangements as well as a useful border, hedge, foundation, or accent planting.

Zones 4-9.

One of the most beautiful and distinctive Hydrangeas in the world, Angel Eyes is the latest of the Halos, and undoubtedly among the most distinctive. The Halo series of Hydrangeas introduces an entirely new look to this colorful shrub. Compact enough for containers, the Halos offer picotee blooms of either pink or blue, held in very large clusters on strong stems that won’t flop in garden or vase.

Quite cold-hardy, they are very heavy bloomers, offering nonstop flowers from late spring well into summer. Brought to us from Europe (where they were marketed as the Frau series) but originally bred in Japan in the 1990′s by Hiroshi Ebihara, this series arose from crosses of H. ‘Crystal Halo’ x H. ‘Silver Edge.’ They are wonderfully dependable, hardworking, and a pleasure in any setting.

To see more Halos, click here for Angel Wings, Angel Smile, or Angel Lace. At just 3 feet high and wide, this shrub is compact enough for large containers, and is a standout in the front of the border or foundation. Give Angel Eyes™ partial shade and well-worked, enriched soil for best growth and flowering. The newest and most exciting Halo of all.

Zones 6-9.

The Halo series of compact Hydrangeas offers large, picotee blooms held up on strong stems.

Halo series of Hydrangeas introduces an entirely new look to this colorful shrub. Compact enough for containers, the Halos offer picotee blooms of either pink or blue, held in very large clusters on strong stems that won’t flop in garden or vase. Quite cold-hardy, they are very heavy bloomers, offering nonstop flowers from late spring well into summer. Brought to us from Europe but originally bred in Japan in the 1990′s by Hiroshi Ebihara, this series arose from crosses of H. ‘Crystal Halo’ x H. ‘Silver Edge.’ They are wonderfully dependable, hardworking, and a pleasure in any setting.

Angel Song?is a stunning, crisply formal Halo with a neat, pencil-thin picotee on every rich pink or blue floret. These mophead blooms reach 7 to 8 inches in diameter, beginning in late spring and continuing through early summer. At 4 to 5 feet high and wide, this shrub commands attention in the foundation planting or shrub border, but is also compact enough for large containers.Give Angel Song? partial shade and well-worked, enriched soil for best growth and flowering. A stunning addition to any landscape.

Zones 6-10.

Truly spectacular when in flower in midsummer, this hydrangea climbs without support on walls, arbors, or trees, reaching 60 to 80 feet.Its white flowers, rich green foliage, striking exfoliating bark, and shrub-like growth create all-season interest. This plant needs no support to grow upward — so you don’t have to worry about tying the vine. Just give it a wall, arbor, or other structure to grow against, and up it goes.Also effective as a ground cover, Climbing Hydrangea is easy, carefree, and very long-lived. It can be somewhat slow to establish, but once settled in, it makes excellent growth each year. Zones 4-8. One-gallon container.

The first Hydrangea that can truly claim 3-season interest, Lady in Red is certain to cause a sensation.

This exciting lacecap treats you to bright red stems, petioles, and leaf veins from spring through fall, plus large blooms that open appleblossom-white and mature to deep rose, giving way to fall foliage of rich reddish-purple. An ever-changing color show from a shrub that is compact, eager to grow, and renowned for its mildew resistance.The red highlights really stand out in spring on this 3-foot-high, 4-foot-wide shrub. The leaves are large and toothy, glowing with red veins, stems, and petioles. And no matter how short or warm your spring is, the red coloration remains true right through summer.

The blooms arise most heavily in midsummer, each about 4 inches across and bearing the distinctive lacecap pattern of an inner circle of fertile flowers surrounded by an outer ray of sterile florets. New blooms are white with a hint of pink, gradually “”blushing”" until they are a deep burgundy rose. A fully-blooming shrub has every shade of pink, rose, and red.In autumn, the leaves turn a deep purple-red . Many Hydrangeas offer a bit of fall foliage color, but Lady in Red glows brightly. Lady in Red is the long-awaited introduction from Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia. Dr. Dirr has been breeding Hydrangeas for many years, but Lady in Red is his first introduction — a master plantsman himself, Dr. Dirr knows that no new variety should be rushed to market.

You can rest assured that this shrub has been extensively trialled, and that it meets the highest standards. Lady in Red is happiest in partial shade and in well-drained, enriched soil. It makes a fine foundation planting, border knockout, or accent planting. Give it plenty of water, especially the first few seasons, for best growth and flowering. Space shrubs about 4 feet apart in the garden. Zones 5-9.

The natural dwarf habit of this lovely Bigleaf Hydrangea from Germany is compact and dense, with far more flowering stems than most others. Small enough for containers or any tight spot, Cityline Venice is an attention-getter with giant fuchsia blooms and fresh, attractive green foliage. It belongs front and center in the shrub border, patio garden, or your best container. Just 1 to 3 feet high and wide, this shrub offers large, neatly serrated leaves of fresh spring green that keep their clean look from spring till frost.

They form an excellent foil for the very large blooms to follow. These flowers open pale pink, then darken to a rich, hard-to-find shade of bright. Very showy for cutflowers, and simply covering the plant if left in place. Cityline Venice appreciates protection from harsh afternoon sun, and if you plant it beneath deciduous trees, check the first year to make sure it isn’t getting too much sunlight during the winter months.

It begins blooming in early summer and continues until autumn, for a huge show of color in a very small space.

Zones 5-9.

Terrific hardiness in the north!

This new Hydrangea is so amazing that it might as well be a whole new type of shrub. Not only is it much, MUCH cold-hardier than most — happy all the way through zone 4 in the north. — but its blooms open green and then progress through 4 different colors. And when the flowers finally stop arriving in fall, the foliage leaps into the limelight by turning bright red.Limelight begins its show in early to midsummer, when plentiful flower clusters of rich chartreuse-to-lime arise all over the large shrub. As they mature, they first turn pure white, then darken to all shades of pink, finally settling on a rich rosy hue. Cut them at any point in the color show and they’ll remain that shade, of course — so you can get a 4-color bouquet from a single shrub, and a fully-blooming plant has every color present at once.

Now, the flowers arise in big, fluffy domes packed with little florets, and when I tell you that these domes reach 8 inches across, you’re just going to have to take my word. The most remarkable thing to me is not the size of each cluster but the NUMBER of them — they dot this shrub like dewdrops at dawn! And they keep arising for months — well into fall in most climates. Now that’s flower power and then some!But autumn turns out to be a big show no matter what the blooms are doing, because with the first really cold weather, the big, deep green leaves burnish bright red.

When you take into consideration the size of this shrub — 6 to 8 feet high and wide — you can imagine what an attention-getting spectacle this is in the lightly shaded to sunny garden. (At this rate, the Japanese Maples will have to hide their heads!) And the last blooms dry beautifully right on the plant, so you can enjoy the highly unusual sight of dusty rose flowers on a bright red-leafed shrub!Now, Limelight is more than a pretty face. It’s easy to grow, and once established is one of the best choices for xerisc.

The most mildew-resistant of the renowned Cityline series of Bigleaf Hydrangeas from Germany, Paris offers deep red blooms held upright on strong stems on shrubs that are naturally less than 3 feet high. ideal for containers, the front of the shrub border, or small spaces, this is a versatile, vigorous shrub that needs little attention from you to grow and flower its best for many years.Paris offers flowers of richest red, vibrant in border or container, and somewhat unusual shade for Hydrangea. As they mature they turn green, and are well suited for fresh or dried indoor arrangements. Paris, makes a good companion to the other Cityline Hydrangeas available this season: clear pink Berlin and fuchsia-tined Venice. These shrubs thrive in full sun in northern climates, afternoon shade farther south. They begin blooming in midsummer and continue until autumn, for a huge show of color in a very small space. Zones 5-9.

Another of the fine Cityline series of Bigleaf Hydrangeas from Germany, with a naturally compact habit and dense flowering, Cityline Berlin offers the strongest growth and largest flowerheads yet. Its rosy-pink blooms are held in large snowballs of brilliant color on plants less than 3 feet high, ideal for containers, the front of the shrub border, or other “”tight spaces.”" Cityline Berlin is a magnificent shrub, mildew-resistant and just 12 to 32 inches high and 3 to 4 feet wide. Like all the Citylines, it was bred for stronger stems to hold its large, heavy flowerheads upright.

The clear pink flowers are exceptionally long-lasting as well, turning green with maturity.Cityline Berlin is just one of the Cityline Hydrangeas available this season. Cityline Venice offers fuchsia blooms, while Cityline? Paris sports dark red blooms on very mildew-resistant plants. These shrubs thrive in full sun in northern climates, afternoon shade farther south. They begin blooming in midsummer and continue until autumn, for a huge show of color in a very small space. Zones 5-9.

Foot-long blooms!

If you add only one Hydrangea to the garden this season, please make it Vaughn’s Lillie. This is the Oakleaf we have been waiting for: compact without being dwarf, densely flowered, spectacularly colored in autumn, well-branched year-round for a lovely silhouette, and REBLOOMING. A native shrub that is as easy to grow as it is beautiful, it deserves a place of honor in every garden with a patch of partial shade.The flowers are a rich creamy-white, packed so tightly onto enormous domed trusses 10 to 12 inches long that at first they appear to be double-flowered.

Cut them for fresh and dried bouquets or let them dry right on the shrub in autumn, birds arriving to feast on their bounty. The blooms arise heavily in early season, then reappear late in summer — a flower-lover’s dream of lush, unstoppable beauty. Also in autumn, the large leaves turn a brilliant shade of purplish-red and persist for several weeks before dropping. As they fall, however, the interesting peeling brown bark of the shrub is revealed — a pleasant silhouette for winter. Just 4 to 6 feet high and wide, Vaughn’s Lillie is the ideal size for a hedge, perimeter planting, back border, or accent planting. Do discover its magic this season! Zones 5-9.

Huge 8-inch mopheads of darkest pink add to the show!

Plant Patent #12,701I normally don’t consider Hydrangeas foliage plants, but ‘Sun Goddess’ has changed all that! Despite its glorious dark pink blooms, which cover the plant in midsummer like giant sno-cones, the foliage is the real star of this compact, very beautifully-shaped little shrub! Emerging golden in late spring, it keeps its sunny color right through the worst summer heat and sun!Find a special place in the partly-shaded garden for this standout. Just 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, it makes a lovely foundation planting, patio accent, or specimen for any choice location.

The leaves are exceptionally thick, holding their shape nicely over a long season. 7 inches long and 5 inches wide, they illuminate the darkest garden corner!As for the giant 8-inch flowerheads, they sizzle with intensity against the foliage. Perfect for fresh or dried arrangements, they thrive in alkaline (lime-intensive) soil, and may revert to blue in acidic soil. (Adjust your soil to desired shade of bloom!) Splendid combined with the blue tones of such Hostas as ‘Northern Exposure’ and ‘Blue Angel’, this Hydrangea is a radiant departure from its plain green cousins!In my judgment, ‘Sun Goddess’ is one of the finest foliage plants of recent years. The combination of vigorous growth and compact habit, large leaves and great heat-resistance, big bloompower and colorfastness is simply unbeatable. And like most Hostas, ‘Sun Goddess’ is indifferent to punishing humidity.

Thrives in zones 6-9.

This undemanding beauty adapts beautifully to small gardens and containers!

This sport of the famous Alphengluhen makes a big impact in the part shade shrub border, covering itself in early to midsummer with large magenta mophead blooms that age to rose-red in alkaline soils or turn to a deep plum with blue tones in acid soils. Its showy blooms reach 6 inches across (or more!) and maintain their rich colors in hot, sunny locations, positively glowing against the rich green foliage. Reaching only 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, its manageable size makes it useful for a range of applications from small garden borders to patio containers. Just provide Masja with a location in sun or part shade with moist, well-drained soil, and you’ll be repaid with luxuriant midsummer color year after glorious year. Zones 5-9.

Terrific hardiness in the north!

This new Hydrangea is so amazing that it might as well be a whole new type of shrub. Not only is it much, MUCH cold-hardier than most — happy all the way through zone 4 in the north. — but its blooms open green and then progress through 4 different colors.And when the flowers finally stop arriving in fall, the foliage leaps into the limelight by turning bright red!Limelight begins its show in early to midsummer, when plentiful flower clusters of rich chartreuse-to-lime arise all over the large shrub. As they mature, they first turn pure white, then darken to all shades of pink, finally settling on a rich rosy hue.

Cut them at any point in the color show and theyll remain that shade, of course — so you can get a 4-color bouquet from a single shrub, and a fully-blooming plant has every color present at once!Now, the flowers arise in big, fluffy domes packed with little florets, and when I tell you that these domes reach 8 inches across, youre just going to have to take my word. The most remarkable thing to me is not the size of each cluster but the NUMBER of them — they dot this shrub like dewdrops at dawn! And they keep arising for months — well into fall in most climates. Now thats flower power and then some!But autumn turns out to be a big show no matter what the blooms are doing, because with the first really cold weather, the big, deep green leaves burnish bright red.

When you take into consideration the size of this shrub — 6 to 8 feet high and wide — you can imagine what an attention-getting spectacle this is in the lightly shaded to sunny garden! (At this rate, the Japanese Maples will have to hide their heads!) And the last blooms dry beautifully right on the plant, so you can enjoy the highly unusual sight of dusty rose flowers on a bright red-leafed shrub.Now, Limelight is more than a pretty face. Its easy to grow, and once established is one of the best choices for xerisc.