skip to main content

Hydrangea recommendations please

17 years ago

I've never had one and I'd really like to plant one in my yard. I'm not an experienced gardner. Which ones can handle zone 5 and weather of Colorado? I see several white ones around my neighborhood. I'm not sure what they are; I like the blue/purple ones too. I keep reading about having them face north. My yard gets a lot of sun. But I could put in front of my fence to face north east and be shaded by the fence some. Any ideas? Also can it be planted in rock or is mulch better? Is Snow Queen Oakleaf a good one? Thanks.

Comments (2)

yellowgirl
17 years ago
The white mopheads are H.Arborescens 'Annabelle'. A blue mophead that can handle your zone is H.macrophylla 'Endless Summer' also 'Forever & Ever' (as long as you have acidic soil, as these mopheads will be pink in alkaline soil).

SnowQueen Oakleaf is my personal favorite and is rated to zone 5 (I've read it's the most cold hardy oakleaf) however, you might suffer some winter die back so plant it in a protected spot. Will probably grow a bit slower up there but well worth the wait.

Another group of hydrangeas that will do well in your neck of the woods are the H.paniculatas. Check out 'Limelight'. It has beautiful pale green/cream blooms and will be happy in full /part sun.

Better yet, try them all!!...Good luck.....yg
mxk3 z5b_MI
17 years ago
H. arborescens ("Annabelle" is a favorite cultivar) bloom exclusively on new wood, so will bloom reliably year in, year out.

Endless Summer blooms on both old and new wood, so even if dies to the ground, there will still be some bloom. I have been very pleased with mine.

___________________

Oakleafs also do well in zone 5 as do "Pee-Gee" types. I'm not sure how harsh your area is, though (are you at a high altitude in Colorado?), so I can't offer more advice if these two types will grow well where you area (I don't know how higher altitudes affect conditions is what I mean)
Related Discussions
Heirloom Hydrangea Recommendations Wanted
Q
Comments (10)
Iechris, the fuji waterfall is a gorgeous hydrangea. Have you had trouble with powdery mildew on your Fuji? My sister in law has one in a wonderful airy location but last year it did suffer toward the end of the season from pm. It gets morning sun for about 4 hours and then evening bright shade. I too would like to see photos of yours!!!! Thanks.
...See More
Recommendation for white/green hydrangea for border
Q
Comments (2)
Little Lamb's a great one, and sounds like just the right size - there are some good threads you can find about it by searching. Little Lime's unproven and expensive, so there's that. Can't speak as to the other two.
...See More
Recommendations for white hydrangea?
Q
Comments (5)
Annabelle is not a macrophylla but it does produce a profusion of large, white rounded flowerheads. It should work fine in SoCal provided it is well-sited and receives sufficient water, pretty much the same as any other form of hydrangea. My favorite white is 'Mme Emile Moulliere' - good-sized white flowerheads on a relatively compact plant. Each flower develops a tiny eye - blue in acidic soils, pink in sweeter soils. Flowers fade to a soft greenish pink. Although not a mop, 'Queen's Lace' is a stunning white hydrangea - huge white lacecap flowers over a long period. Looks like the plant is iced with powdered sugar from a distance
...See More
Recommend a hydrangea?
Q
Comments (4)
Hello anele- it's great to have another new convert! As far as winter interest goes, unfortunately hydrangeas don't have much to offer, as almost all of them go dormant during the cold months. I would typically recommend Hyd. arborescens (like 'Annabelle') or Hyd. paniculata (like 'Limelight') to my customers in zone 5; or rebloomers like your ES and Blushing Bride. Snow Queen could be a bit of a challenge in zone 5, though it could certainly be done with some winter coverage for the first couple of years, but I think it would want near full sun. You might take a look at one of the dwarf peegees like 'Little Lamb', which will stay smaller than 'Limelight'. You could also try Annabelle or another arborsecens, if you don't have any yet- they are truly gorgeous, tough shrubs- and would be happy with less light than the paniculatas. As far as regular old mopheads, stick to the rebloomers, unless you've got a really protected spot. They are all fairly similar, though, and many of them would look and act just like your 'Endless Summer'. Hopefully this will help some, though- good luck!
...See More

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Oakleaf Hydrangea

By Becky Harris

Consider this full, flowering shrub for year-round beauty in the garden as you plan your fall plantings

HOUSEPLANTS Mother-in-Law's Tongue: Surprisingly Easy to Please

By creative jewish mom.com

This low-maintenance, high-impact houseplant fits in with any design and can clear the air, too

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Snowberry Pleases Year-Round

Bright spring foliage, pretty summer flowers, white berries in winter ... Symphoricarpos albus is a sight to behold in every season

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Silphium Perfoliatum Pleases Wildlife

By Pollination Press LLC

Cup plant provides structure, cover, food and water to help attract and sustain wildlife in the eastern North American garden

Help Me Design My Wine Cellar - Please!

GARDENING GUIDES Pathway Plantings That Please the Senses

By LuAnn Brandsen

Add some color, life and intrigue beside your sidewalk with these 7 suggestions

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Suggestions for Harmonious Hardscaping

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Help a sidewalk, driveway or path flow with your garden design, for a cohesive and pleasing look

DECORATING GUIDES 9 Stylist Tricks for a Decorator Look

By Christine Tusher

You don’t need to be rolling in cash to pull in compliments for polished, eye-pleasing rooms

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Relish the Romance of a Slovenian Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Dappled with coneflowers and bursting with hydrangeas, a romantic European garden near the Julian Alps inspires enchantment

Sponsored

More Discussions

Hydrangea Game Changer Picotee

4

Any planned purchases for 2024?

12

Is it possible to ID a Hydrangea macrophylla given to me?

6

hydrangea not blooming

12

When to add fertilizer? Zone 6b

3