Top 10 best hydrangea varieties
Nowadays, the garden market is filled with a large assortment of various ornamental shrubs. Hydrangea occupies an honorable place among them. Its variety of species and colors allows you to create a paradise in any garden.
Such an ornamental shrub is easy to grow. He does not need special care, but during flowering will not leave anyone indifferent. There are many varieties of flowers, the most popular of them are large-leaved, tree-like and paniculate.
Hydrangeas differ from other beautiful plants in their incredible splendor. They can be seen from far away. Large inflorescences are called truly beautiful. Their colors are different, depending on the variety.
The best tree varieties of hydrangea
5 Annabelle
The long-flowering dome-shaped shrub is one of the most popular among gardeners - it inspires beginners and delights experienced summer residents. The diameter of the variety can reach 3 meters, which makes it possible to call the bush immense. The plant is a little more than a meter high. Hydrangea leaves stand out due to their bright colors. In addition, they do not lose their original appearance throughout the season. Annabelle begins to bloom at the end of June - the inflorescences acquire a delicate light green hue, which becomes snow-white over time.
The rapid growth of the variety allows it to add about 20 centimeters in height in a month. Most gardeners do not have difficulties with planting and growing, since Annabelle is not capricious in care. She rarely gets sick, which undeniably pleases gardeners. In addition, it is distinguished by its durability - it is viable for about 40 years. Buyers do not notice any drawbacks, except that frequent omissions of watering can affect the abundance of flowering. The rest of the characteristics suit summer residents.
4 White Dome
The domed bush distinguishes the plant from among its fellows. Its strong and thick branches do not allow lush and rather heavy flowers to outweigh and lean to the ground. The height of the White Dome is equal to a little over one meter. Its frost resistance is high, so it is grown in the suburbs. Flowering occurs in early July and lasts until early October. Hydrangea will take any bad weather well. She is not afraid of the sun's rays and partial shade. It is used to decorate park areas and flower beds of public streets.
Inflorescences of a light shade contrast nicely with green, smooth to the touch leaves. It is impossible not to notice the full image of the variety. It complements the garden area with its tenderness. Each flower resembles lace and smells subtle. In order for the White Dome to bloom profusely, it must be fed and planted in fertile soil. He also needs regular watering. In general, the variety easily adapts to the environment and is a pleasure for the household.
3 Pink Pincushion
The variety became famous for its spreading bush and a large number of shoots. Breeders, some time after the creation of the Pink Pincushion, achieved that it became winter-hardy. Today, the plant survives frosts well down to -26 degrees. The height and width of the shrub is 1.3 meters. Inflorescences with a pinkish tint are round and flat, their diameter is about 15 centimeters. Hydrangea loves light, but it develops well in partial shade. It looks great both in a group planting and on its own.
The grower's recommendations for the care of Pink Pincushion are standard. It needs to be watered, periodically fed and pruned. It will start flowering in June and will continue until the end of August. Customer reviews of the variety are mostly positive. They celebrate the ease of growing and the amazing results. Gardeners advise even beginners to purchase this plant. The best characteristics overlap the opportunity to notice the shortcomings, so summer residents do not notice significant disadvantages.
2 Sterilis
In landscape architecture, the Sterilis hydrangea variety is well known.It has a medium leafiness and looks a little loose. The bush reaches a height of over one meter. The lush flowers are composed of large heart-shaped petals. When they fully bloom, they become boiling white. The variety has an excellent indicator of winter hardiness. Despite this, in areas with harsh climates, special shelter for the bushes is required. The plant quickly grows molding with buds, it needs pruning in the spring.
1 Invincibelle Spirit
A novelty that was recently brought to Russia. Its appearance instantly captivates gardeners and makes it necessary to carefully monitor and care for the plant. Domestic breeders noted the incredible ability of hydrangeas to survive in harsh frosty conditions. Bred in the USA. It is distinguished by the best characteristics, which, to one degree or another, are the main criteria when choosing a flower. Unlike other tree-like trees, Invincibelle Spirit has graceful dark pink inflorescences with a diameter of 20 centimeters.
The average width and height of the shrub is 1.2 meters. The variety is recommended for planting in areas with low temperatures. For example, in the Moscow region, Invincibelle Spirit will feel great and pleasantly surprise flower growers. In winters with indicators on thermometers up to -37 degrees, hydrangea will absolutely suit. Thanks to these qualities, many gardeners are satisfied with the ornamental shrub and are advised to purchase it. However, it is selective in soils - an alkaline environment will contribute to the death of the plant.
The best panicle hydrangea varieties
5 Phantom
The most adaptable hydrangea on the market today. She goes through harsh conditions, adapting to them 100 percent. The variety tends to quickly recover after winter with frosts down to -25 degrees. Thanks to the colorful and abundant flowering, flower growers all over the world are conquered by the plant. The phantom is not capricious in the growing process - it only needs standard procedures such as watering, pruning, feeding and other simple actions. A distinctive feature of the plant is the ability to take root on any soil.
The flower has a strong root system, which is very rarely exposed to disease. It is easy to propagate it - divide the bush and move it to any convenient place. The phantom is in demand in the Moscow region. There he takes root well and blooms profusely. Even inexperienced gardeners will be able to plant and grow a beautiful bush with large flowers that will attract the attention of any passer-by. Buyers characterize the plant in a positive way. It is recommended to plant it in partial shade and protect it from the wind.
4 Weems Red
The variety is distinguished by the splendor of flowering. It is undersized compared to other paniculate species. But it's hard not to notice it. The spreading shrub has incredibly beautiful inflorescences. At the beginning of flowering, they are light, and by September they become pink with a marsal shade. The brushes have a narrow pyramid shape. Their diameter is 5-7 centimeters. Each flower has 4 petals, it is rare to find 5. In appearance, the plant is compared to a huge lilac bush. Openwork inflorescences delight every passer-by.
Bulky brushes with small flowers reach 40 centimeters in length. Gardeners note their unusually "tasty" aroma with hints of honey. The smell comes from a distance, which is good news. The frost resistance of the culture is great - it will grow indestructible at temperatures up to -30 degrees. In the Moscow region, Weems Red does not need shelter, which is liked by all flower growers. With similar characteristics, it is impossible to note the disadvantages of the variety. Therefore, it is ideal for growing in any regions of Russia.
3 Grandiflora
The variety is widely used in landscape design. Its external characteristics allow you to decorate the backyard area and give it a touch of grace. The shrub can reach a height of 2 meters. It has a spherical shape with a diameter of 3 meters.The inflorescences are a type that resembles a pyramid. 3 cm flowers change color during the entire flowering period - from white to pale pink. The plant will delight the owners for 30 years. Ease of maintenance is noted by many gardeners.
4-5 years after planting, the shrub begins to delight with the first flowers. They are used to decorate park areas and private sector plots. The variety looks great in combination with other plants. In addition, alone, he is also able to attract attention. The aroma is delicate and pleasant, it can be felt up close. Hydrangea tolerates frost quite well and is practically not attacked by pests. No significant disadvantages were found in Grandiflora.
2 Polar bear
The variety, loved by many, was bred quite recently. In a short period of its existence, the Polar Bear has won the respect of both amateurs and professionals of floriculture. It was created by breeders from Holland by crossing Limelight and Grandiflora. This made it possible to acquaint domestic gardeners with the cutest plant that can decorate squares, gardens, household plots and other territories. The height of the panicle variety is one and a half meters. The diameter of the bush is approximately 1.4 meters.
A feature of the Polar Bear is the huge conical inflorescences. Their length is approximately 40 centimeters. The bush looks compact and spherical. Its stems are strong enough to withstand massive clusters of flowers. The fluffiness of the variety delights all buyers, it looks like airy. The color of the buds at the beginning of flowering is light with a pistachio hue, and as it blooms, it turns into snow-white. The polar bear has no obvious shortcomings.
1 Vanille Fraise Renhy
It is rather difficult to describe the beauty of this freesia. To understand how adorable she is, you need to look at the flower. The upright shoots of Vanille Fraise Renhy are maroon in color and go well with bright green foliage. Inflorescences can change shades depending on the flowering time. They are light at first and then darker. The bush is spherical, the flowers are domed. In July, they begin to bloom, and at the beginning of October, they finish.
Panicled Vanille Fraise Renhy is liked by most flower growers. He is not capricious in care and is resistant to pests. In addition, the culture tolerates frosts well down to -27 degrees. Observing simple rules during the planting process and the cultivation itself, you can achieve the best result - abundant flowering of large flowers. Numerous positive reviews about hydrangea suggest that it is one of the most popular among this subspecies. The variety is susceptible to chlorosis with insufficient fertilization.