With its showy flowers, stunning color palette, and ability to change blossom shades, the Hydrangea Tree remains a favorite among gardeners, especially in the South.
And, when you plan to grow your own Hydrangea plants there’s a plethora to choose from, this genus features around 70-75 known species.4
While not all of these species are widely used for gardening, you can find some of the most popular species and cultivars from a local garden center or online shop to grow your own Hydrangea bushes.
This complete guide outlines everything you need to know about Hydrangea tree types, and how you can ensure your Hydrangea bushes blossom year after year, after year.
Hydrangea Tree Facts: What Makes Hydrangea Plants So Popular?
From modern paintings to pop songs, it is easy for you to find the many ways people celebrate the beauty of Hydrangea plants.
It may also not be difficult for you to understand the reason behind this: The positively stunning flowers of Hydrangea are what make these shrubs so popular across the world, especially in their native regions of Asia, North America, and South America.3
Hydrangea, Hortensia
(Hydrangea)
- Family: Hydrangeaceae
- Genus: Hydrangea
- Leaf: Green, shape varies with species
- Bark: Light brown
- Seed: Winged, small
- Blossoms: White, cream, yellow, pink, blue, green (dependent upon species)
- Fruit: Oval capsule, brown
- Native Habitat: Asia, North America, South America
- Height: Varies with the species
- Canopy: Varies with the species
- Type: Deciduous
- Native Growing Zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3-9
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Ranking
Least Concern
Image Credit: Gloria Kaye (gloriak2700)46
But even if you don’t live in any of these regions, you can discover many images of Hydrangea plants online to see how their flowers form in clusters and create large blossoms that stand out in an instant.
If you are interested in plants or gardening, you may instantly identify the Hydrangea flower as a corymb that is a collection of various flowers or sepals.5
Depending upon the species of Hydrangea, you can find these corymbs in the form of panicles, which are cone-shaped clusters of flowers; mopheads, which are dome-shaped floret clusters; and lacecaps, which have small flower heads in the center with florets around them.
There are over 70 known species of Hydrangeas,4 which makes them one of those types of trees that you can find in several forms. For example, if you think that a tall tree would be too much for your front yard, you can get a species of Hydrangea bush or shrub that is no taller than 5 feet in height.
In contrast, if you have a lot of shrubs and want something that stands out a bit more, you can adopt a species of Hydrangea Tree that is known for its height. But that’s not all.
Because if you need a showstopping plant over your home’s wall, you can also find Hydrangea in the form of a vine.
You would also be happy to know that apart from the variety of species and cultivars, Hydrangeas are also known for changing their bloom colors.6 This means that if you have a particular type of Hydrangea with blue flowers, pink flowers, or purple flowers, you can follow certain Hydrangea care practices to change their shades.
You may want to remember that the species of Hydrangea that can change its colors are called Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) and Mountain Hydrangea, which you can easily find across many local and online stores to grow at your home.
But you may also need to know that other species of Hydrangeas, such as those with white flowering trees identification attributes, do not possess this spectacular natural quality to change blossom colors.
Besides their visually arresting blooms, you may also find the easy maintenance of Hydrangeas to be a big cause behind their popularity. Whether you adopt Hydrangeas in the form of trees, shrubs, or vines, you may learn that they are not that difficult to grow.
While Hydrangeas do need a little care from you in terms of ensuring proper amount of sun and ideal air circulation, they are not typically fussy plants. This is especially true when you compare Hydrangea plants to many other flowering shrubs that bring high maintenance requirements with them.7
You can also associate the sought after status of Hydrangea plants with their versatility for decor options. No matter if you want to get a centerpiece for your dining table or flowers for your console table vase, Hydrangeas can fit your requirements with their range of colors and flower shapes.
This is also why you can find Hydrangeas as one of the most in-demand options across florists.
This versatility does not stop at the visual quality of Hydrangeas. You can easily find many Hydrangeas to hold a delightful scent to them that has distinctly floral or fruity notes to it.
But you may not always be so lucky: Several Hydrangea species have little to no fragrance to them. If you draw the short straw in choosing your Hydrangea flower, you can also end up with a Hydrangea Tree or plant that smells a bit sour.
With that being said, almost all types of Hydrangeas are stunning to the sight in the best way possible, which often puts the fragrance properties on the back burner for many people. If you also prefer looks over scent, there’s a high chance that you may feel satisfied with almost every type of Hydrangea.
Now that you have learned about some Hydrangea Tree facts, you can easily move forward with learning about the 10 Hydrangea Tree types: how to identify and grow blue, pink, Hydrangeas.
How To Identify Hydrangea Tree
To know how to identify Hydrangea Tree, look for its unique clusters of flowers, which commonly appear in cone-shaped, round-shaped, or mophead-shaped formations.
But certain species such as the mountain Hydrangea or climbing Hydrangea have smaller flowers in the center that are surrounded by bigger flowers.
The Hydrangea Tree is typically between 8-25 tall, while the Hydrangea bush or shrub can be between 5-6 feet tall. The height and size of a Hydrangea plant may vary according to its species and cultivar.1
Hydrangeas typically have ovate and green leaves with a brown bark. But these properties may also vary from species to species.
What Do Hydrangea Tree Leaves Look Like?
The exact type of leaves that your Hydrangea plant may have depends upon its species. But typically, these leaves are ovate in shape and green in color.
Hydrangea Tree leaves are usually 3-6 inches long,1 but some species such as smooth Hydrangea have larger leaves. The Oakleaf Hydrangea also has distinct leaves that have 3-7 lobes and resemble the leaves of an oak tree.12
What Does Hydrangea Tree Flower Look Like?
The Hydrangea Tree flower is undoubtedly the most distinct characteristic of the Hydrangea Tree. These tiny flowers grow in clusters that come together to create different shapes.1
These shapes vary across different Hydrangea species.
For example, you can find the Mophead Hydrangeas to grow circular flower clusters, while the Lacecap Hydrangeas have flatter clusters.13 In contrast, you can count upon Panicle Hydrangeas to grow flower clusters that are in a cone-like shape.8
Hydrangea flowers also come in different colors including but not limited to white, cream, yellow, green, blue, and pink.1 Certain species of Hydrangea plants can also change the color of their flowers depending upon the soil pH.14,15
What Do Hydrangea Tree Seeds Look Like?
Hydrangea Tree seeds are tiny and grow on fertile flowers in the Hydrangea Tree flower cluster.29 This means that when you are looking for Hydrangea Tree seeds, you need to look for fertile flowers that are smaller than the more showy sterile flowers of a cluster.
Hydrangea Tree vs Bush: What’s the Difference Between Hydrangea Bush and Tree?
When you read up on Hydrangea plants, one of the most common questions to spring into your mind is “what’s the difference between Hydrangea bush and tree?” You can instantly resolve them with a short answer, which tells you that both the Hydrangea Tree vs bush are different species of the Hydrangea genus.
You can also go into more detail with the long answer that explains these differences below.
Out of the over 70 species of the Hydrangea genus, Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea can reach up to 25 feet in height.8 This classifies Panicle Hydrangea as a small tree, which is why when you see something referring to the Hydrangea Tree, you can safely assume they are talking about Hydrangea paniculata.
On the other hand, you will find that most of the other Hydrangea plants are smaller in size. This classifies them as a bush or a shrub.9
This means that if you are looking at other more popular species such as Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea),10 Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea),11 and Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea),12 you may find them in the bushes or shrubs category of a gardening center or online store.
But regardless of the type of Hydrangea plants that you adopt, you can expect them to provide you with gorgeous flowers that catch your eye in an instant. While certain cultivars of the Hydrangea Tree and bushes may produce slightly different types of blooms, you can count on them to be visually-arresting in all forms.
This means that whether you want to show off these flowers in the open setting of your yard or the luxurious decor of your dining room, you can get your Hydrangea flowers from a tree or a bush alike.
The Most Common Types of Hydrangeas
If you are looking for Hydrangeas, there is a high chance that you may stumble upon the following 6 types of Hydrangea plants during your search.
These are the most common types of Hydrangeas that you can find at practically every big garden center, while also being the species that most commonly available cultivars originate from.
1. Panicle Hydrangeas
When learning about Panicle Hydrangeas or Hydrangea paniculata, you first need to remember that it is the species that is known as the Hydrangea Tree. Apart from its large size that typically ranges from 8-25 feet in height and 6-25 feet in width, you may also identify Hydrangea paniculata by its multi-stem structure and cream-colored flowers that turn into pinkish and brown hues in the fall.8
You can also distinguish Panicle Hydrangeas from other species due to the way that their flowers grow in panicles in a cone-like shape.
You can also keep in mind that some of the most sought after cultivars of Hydrangea plants come from Panicle Hydrangeas. This makes Hydrangea paniculata one of the most popular species of the Hydrangea genus, as well as a plant that you may want to learn about the most when growing your own Hydrangea flowers.
2. Oakleaf Hydrangeas
With height that ranges between 4-8 feet and width that falls between 4-10 feet, you will find the Hydrangea quercifolia or Oakleaf Hydrangea shrub to be shorter than the more imposing Hydrangea Tree.12 But you may also determine that Oakleaf Hydrangea can hold its own with its gorgeous flowers and oak-shaped leaves that earn it its popular name.
You can also remember that the Oakleaf Hydrangea is the only Hydrangea plant in the genus that has oak-like leaves.
In addition to its distinct leaves, you will also find the Oakleaf Hydrangea to grow panicles of flowers that are cone-like in shape and white-to-pink in color. These white or pink flowers also take a rich brown color that further adds to the plant’s resemblance to oak trees for your eyes.
If you plan to add Oakleaf Hydrangea to your garden, these unique qualities can instantly add some stunning visuals to your landscape.
3. Bigleaf Hydrangeas, Mophead Hydrangeas or Lacecap Hydrangeas
By now, you might be noticing the pattern of simple names that are associated with the most popular species of the Hydrangeas genus.13
This also holds true for Hydrangea macrophylla,10 which is also known as Bigleaf Hydrangea due to its large leaves. Its other name, Mophead Hydrangea, comes from the mophead-like blooms of flowers of many cultivars.
But that’s not all: You can also find this species by the name of Lacecap Hydrangea due to its formation of small flowers encased in a circle of larger blooms.
You also need to remember that the type of flowers that are grown on Bigleaf Hydrangea plants depend upon cultivars. This means that while one cultivar of Bigleaf Hydrangea may grow mopheads, other cultivars may produce lacecaps.
Bigleaf Hydrangeas typically range between 3-6 feet in their height and width. These are also one of the two species of Hydrangeas whose cultivars can change their bloom colors from pink to blue depending upon the acidity in their soil.14
4. Mountain Hydrangeas
When you look into Hydrangea serrata or Mountain Hydrangea,15 you will find that it is one of the smallest-sized species of the Hydrangea genus. By remembering that these Hydrangea plants are only 2-4 feet in their height and width, you can instantly classify them as a compact planting choice for your garden or indoor planting practices.
Mountain Hydrangea flowers can either be white, blue, or pink, but the blossoms are smaller in size. The types of Hydrangeas or cultivars grown from Mountain Hydrangeas can change bloom colors depending on soil acidity.
This means that you can grow your Hydrangeas to sport blue flowers, pink flowers, or purple flowers by adjusting the soil pH.
Mountain Hydrangeas flowers grow in clusters, where you can find small blooms taking center stage and larger flowers growing on the outer sides of these clusters. If you want to buy these Hydrangeas from a garden center, you can also discover them by the name of Sawtooth Hydrangea or Tea of Heaven.
5. Climbing Hydrangeas
In addition to the Hydrangea Tree and shrub, you can also find Hydrangea plants in the form of a vine. This is known as Hydrangea anomala or Climbing Hydrangeas.16
You can grow this vine with the support of a wall or other garden structures and get a positively large plant in return that can reach 30-60 feet in height and 5-6 feet in width. You may find the flowers that grow on Climbing Hydrangeas to be appealing in their visuals with white-to-yellow blossoms.
You also need to remember that the flowers on Climbing Hydrangeas are also showy and grow in clusters, but they have a wheel shape to them. Similar to many other Hydrangea plants, you can find small fertile flowers in the center and larger sterile flowers on the external side of these clusters.
6. Smooth Hydrangeas
When you read about Hydrangea arborescens or Smooth Hydrangea,11 the first thing that you might learn is that they are also called Wild Hydrangeas.
The alternative name for Hydrangea, Hortensia, is also associated with these plants.
These Hydrangeas are small shrubs that are round in shape and produce flower clusters that are grown in a ball-like form. You can find these flowers in white, cream, green, and pink colors.
But here’s the kicker: You cannot change the colors of these Hydrangeas by modifying the soil pH.17
Smooth Hydrangeas are small in size and range from 3-5 feet in height and width. You can easily remember these dimensions by reminding yourself that Smooth Hydrangeas are the smallest of the 6 most species of the Hydrangea genus.
With that being said, some cultivars of Hydrangea species can be even smaller in their proportions.
Popular Hydrangea Cultivars
Apart from these six types of Hydrangeas species, you may also find other cultivars and varieties of Hydrangea plants available at some garden centers and online stores.
You do need to remember that these plants are cultivars that are derived from the species mentioned above, but they are still popular among gardeners, hobbyists, and homeowners who want to grow their own Hydrangeas.
To give you an idea of what these cultivars bring to the table, here are a few examples of some of the most sought after cultivars of Panicle Hydrangea:
7. Limelight Hydrangea Tree (Dwarf Hydrangea Tree)
While the Limelight Hydrangea Tree is a cultivar of the Panicle Hydrangea or the Hydrangea Tree, it by no means holds the same size as the much larger Hydrangea paniculata.
It grows 6-8 feet in height and width, but you will still find it to retain the shape of a small tree rather than the appearance of a rounded bush.18
This also earns it the name of Dwarf Hydrangea Tree. Its bloom colors include white, cream, green, and pink shades.
8. Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea Tree
Also known as Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea or Renhy, this cultivar is popular for changing its color from white to strawberry red on its own.19 Between this transition, the blooms also hold white and pink hues to give your garden a visually-arresting flair.
Since the color-change does not occur completely across the flowers, you can also find them to sport multiple shades at once that sets them apart from many white flowering trees identification attributes. The Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea Tree is 6-7 feet in height and 4-5 feet in width.
9. Peegee Hydrangea
While you may find the Panicle Hydrangea Tree to often be called Peegee Hydrangea, the latter is a distinct cultivar of the species.
It is also called ‘Grandiflora,’ which is the name you may have to use when trying to find this cultivar at a garden center or online store.
It is a smaller but popular version of the Panicle Hydrangea Tree and reaches 10-20 feet in height and width.
10. Pinky Winky Hydrangea Tree
Dvppinky or Pinky Winky Hydrangea Tree is yet another cultivar of Panicle Hydrangea.
You can find it in the form of a small shrub that has a height of 6-8 feet and a width of 5-6 feet.20
Similar to the Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea Tree, the Pinky Winky also sports flowers that are available in white and pink hues. But unlike the Vanilla Strawberry cultivar, you can count on the Dvppinky cultivar to survive and thrive in colder conditions.21
After you get this basic information about the different types of Hydrangeas at hand, you can easily move forward with the rest of this guide about 10 Hydrangea Tree types: how to identify and grow blue, pink, Hydrangeas.
Hydrangea Tree Growing Zone Information: USDA Plant Hardiness Zones for Hydrangea Tree
Understanding your Hydrangea Tree growing zone is crucial for successful cultivation. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps you determine if you can grow certain plants in your local environment without any issues.
These zones range from 1-11. By learning that they are categorized by the average annual minimum winter temperature, you can understand how important that they are to growing your own plants, with the Hydrangea Tree and bush being no exceptions to the rule.
You can grow your Hydrangea plants in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-9.1 By checking the plant hardiness zone map, you can determine if your area falls into these zones.
How To Plant a Hydrangea Tree
When you are learning how to grow a tree, you need to keep a few points in mind. These include but are not limited to the species’ USDA plant hardiness zone, the best way to propagate its plants, and the ideal care practices for its species or cultivar.
These practices also apply when you are trying to grow your very own Hydrangea Tree.
By going through the following basic guides, you can learn how to plant a Hydrangea Tree in your backyard or a community gardening project.
How To Start Growing a Hydrangea Tree From a Seed
Before you move forward with growing a Hydrangea Tree from a seed, it is important for you to learn that Hydrangea Tree seeds are tiny in size. This makes them difficult to handle and easy to break or fall apart.
Since most Hydrangea plants species have smaller fertile flowers and larger sterile flowers, it also makes it challenging for you to collect their seeds in the first place.
But if you want to try the method of growing your Hydrangea Tree through seeds, you can take the following steps:22
- Collect dried seeds from fertile flowers once they dry out according to their blooming season.
- Dry these flower heads further in a cool and dry place.
- Separate the seeds from the dried petals.
- Sow 3-5 seeds in small pots with moist soil.
- Expose the pots to full sunlight everyday.
- Once seeds germinate, move them to larger pots.
- Continue to care for the seedlings until they have grown stronger.
- Transplant the plant into the ground.
How To Start Growing a Hydrangea Tree From a Cutting
If you find Hydrangea Tree seeds difficult to handle, you can turn to the more popular practice of growing a Hydrangea Tree from a cutting.
During this method, you can follow these steps:23
- Take your Hydrangea Tree cutting from a green stem.
- Trim the cutting to get it ready for planting.
- Dip the cutting in a growth solution.
- Plant the cutting tip down in a small pot with moist soil.
- Provide full sunlight to the cutting everyday.
- Once the plant germinates and grows stronger roots, you can move it to the ground.
How To Start Growing a Hydrangea Tree From a Seedling
When growing a Hydrangea Tree from a seedling, start by placing it in a pot filled with moist, well-draining soil. Following best practices for plant propagation, you should also provide the seedling with full sunlight everyday.
Once your Hydrangea seedling grows stronger, you can move it to a larger pot. After the plant grows further and forms roots, you can transplant it in the ground.
Hydrangea Care: Planting Tips for Hydrangea Tree
While you can start growing a Hydrangea Tree by following the steps mentioned above, you need more planting tips for Hydrangea Tree to ensure that they grow to their full potential.
To achieve this goal, you can adopt the following Hydrangea care practices.
When To Plant Hydrangea Tree for the Best Yield
When to plant Hydrangea Tree for the best yield depends upon the planting zones where you are growing your Hydrangea Tree or bush. For instance, if your area faces freezing grounds in winter, you may want to plant your Hydrangeas in late spring.
In contrast, if your area faces frost early in the year but does not cause the ground to freeze, you may want to delay the planting until fall starts.24
After studying your USDA plant hardiness zone and learning more about the type of Hydrangea that you want to grow, you can determine the best approach for planting your specific Hydrangea species or cultivar.
You can also reach out to your local garden center or community to get precise answers about this approach.
What Are the Best Growing Conditions for Hydrangea Tree?
When you are growing a Hydrangea Tree or bush, make sure that you follow these practices to help the plant grow ideally and prevent possible issues.
Here are the best growing conditions for Hydrangea Tree:
- Full sunlight (around 6 hours a day for most growing zones)
- Partial shade
- Moist soil
- Well-drained soil
- Shallow planting25
- Structural support for younger plants
When To Prune Hydrangea Tree
Deciding when to prune Hydrangea Tree is mostly a personal choice. Many gardeners do not prune their Hydrangea plants at all, while others do it at the end of blooming season to ensure that all flowers can be shown off to their fullest extent.
Depending upon the species or cultivar of Hydrangea that you are growing, you can prune them in late winter or spring. You can also reach out to your local garden community to take some inspiration on pruning practices.
How To Prune Hydrangea Tree (How To Trim a Hydrangea Tree)
Learning how to prune Hydrangea Tree (how to trim a Hydrangea Tree) is a simple way to enhance its shape while preserving its health and blooms. But when you are moving forward with pruning, make sure that you don’t cut too close to the bud.
Many experts recommend that you cut just above 1/4-inch from a bud.
What Are the Watering Needs for Hydrangea Tree Plants?
When it comes to watering a tree, you need to be careful about the needs of specific species and their cultivars. For the watering needs for Hydrangea Tree plants, these requirements remain simple but highly important.
For one, you need to keep the soil moist by frequent watering. However, you also have to make sure that the soil is well-drained at all times.
For some gardeners, this comes down to deep watering their Hydrangea plants around twice a week.26
For others, the frequency runs a little lower. Depending upon your local environment, you should adjust your watering schedule to keep the soil moist, but prevent it from being fully drenched or going dry.
Hydrangea Tree Growth Rate: How Long It Takes To Grow Hydrangea Tree
How long does it take for a tree to grow depends upon its species or cultivar as well as the surrounding environment. In terms of how long it takes to grow Hydrangea Tree, they may grow around 2 feet per year until they reach their full height.27
But certain species and cultivars may have faster or slower growth rates than others. When buying a Hydrangea from a garden center or online store, asking about the Hydrangea Tree growth rate for your specific species or cultivar is advisable.
This gives you a closer estimate to set your expectations about your Hydrangea plants.
How Big Does a Hydrangea Tree Get?
To find an answer to the question “how big does a Hydrangea Tree get?” you need to understand that the height of a Hydrangea Tree depends upon its species and cultivar. For example, while panicle Hydrangea can grow to a height of 8-25 feet, smooth Hydrangea only has a height of 3-5 feet.
As a result, you should look into the species and cultivar of your Hydrangea plant to learn how tall it may grow under your care.
How Far Apart To Plant Hydrangea Tree
How far apart to plant Hydrangea Tree depends upon the size of your Hydrangea species. Typically, you can plant smaller shrubs about 5-6 feet apart and taller species such as the Hydrangea Tree 6-10 feet apart.28
Once again, you should look into advice that is specific to the types of Hydrangeas that you want to grow.
How Much Sunlight Does Hydrangea Tree Need Each Day?
When you are growing a Hydrangea, you can keep in mind that Hydrangeas typically need full sun to partial shade, which translates to 6-8 hours of sunlight and some shade during the day.
This is especially true for Hydrangeas that are grown in warmer weather. This answers the question “how much sunlight does Hydrangea Tree need each day?”
How To Care for Hydrangea Tree in Winter
In winter, the watering needs for Hydrangea plants change due to the colder weather. In regions where the ground freezes, watering your Hydrangea Tree in winter may not be possible.
But if your area also receives snow, your Hydrangea plants may be at risk of getting excessive moisture during winter. This is where you can learn the practice of mulching around trees to keep excess moisture at bay and protect your Hydrangeas in winter.
How To Stop Hydrangea Tree Disease: Prevention and Care
To make sure that your Hydrangea Tree continues to grow under your care without problems, understanding Hydrangea Tree disease prevention is crucial. Some of the most common diseases for Hydrangeas include powdery mildew, root rot, bacterial wilt, and several viruses.
You can keep many of these diseases at bay by following better tree watering practices such as watering closer to the roots instead of over the blooms, and ensuring proper drainage for the soil.26
For more insights on how to stop Hydrangea Tree disease, you can also speak to gardening experts in your area or over the web to get specific tips about the type of Hydrangea that you are growing and how the local environment may affect their well being.
What Are Some Common Pests of the Hydrangea Tree?
Some of the most common pests of the Hydrangea Tree include aphids, black vine weevil, and Japanese beetles. The method to get rid of these pests depends upon their type.
For example, while you can get rid of aphids by using a spray of water, you may need to use specific pesticides for other pests such as black vine weevil. Similarly, basic practices such as removing Japanese beetles by hand into a container of water can also repel them from your Hydrangea plants.
Can You Use Natural Pest Control for Hydrangea Tree?
Your options for using natural pest control for Hydrangea Tree depend upon the type of pests that your Hydrangea Tree is battling against. For example, aphids and Japanese beetles respond well to natural pest control methods such as a water spray or manual removal, respectively.
But other pests may need chemical control. To make sure that you are using the right method to remove pests, you need to first determine the type of pest infestation.
From there, you can find an effective solution for them.
How To Make Hydrangea Flower Change Colors?
You can make the Hydrangea flower change its colors by adjusting the acidity or pH of your soil.6 But you should remember not all Hydrangeas can transform their flower colors due to a change in the soil pH.
Out of the most common 6 species of Hydrangeas, only two species, namely Bigleaf Hydrangea and Mountain Hydrangea, can change their blossom colors this way.
Now to the details of changing your Hydrangea flower color: If your soil has a pH lower than 5.5, your Hydrangea will bear blue flowers. On the other hand, if your soil has a pH higher than 6, it will grow pink flowers.6
You also need to keep in mind that the flower color change is not done overnight and the flowers may also turn to purple before going to either blue or pink. You can learn how to decrease or increase the soil pH to influence your Hydrangea plant to change its blossom colors.31
The Hydrangea Tree is low-maintenance for the most part, but it still provides you with the sight of beautiful flowers for multiple decades, and by learning how to take care of Hydrangea plants and grow them under your care, you can enjoy these spectacular blooms for a long time to come.2
Frequently Asked Questions About Hydrangea Tree
Do Trees Have Genders?
If you are wondering do trees have genders, the answer is not that hard to find because many tree species have male trees with male reproductive parts that bear pollen, and female reproductive parts that hold pistils. After the process of tree pollination, the female tree bears flowers and seeds, but you should also remember that many trees are hermaphroditic, which means that they contain both male and female reproductive parts in the same plant.
What Are the Growing Zones for Hydrangea Tree (Where To Grow Hydrangeas)?
If you want to grow your own Hydrangea Tree, you can remember that their USDA plant hardiness zone is 3-9,1 but you need to be mindful that not all Hydrangea species and cultivars suit these plant hardiness zones. To benefit from these guidelines, you should check the USDA plant hardiness zones for specific Hydrangea species and cultivars to see if you can grow them in your area.
What Are Some Companion Plants for Growing Hydrangea Tree?
Using companion plants can add diversity to your garden or yard, while also promoting easy care practices for your plants. Some of the most common companion plants for growing Hydrangea Tree include but are not limited to sweet potato vine, Swedish ivy, and boxwood.30
Is Hydrangea Bush Different Than Hydrangea Tree?
The Hydrangea bush is smaller in size than the Hydrangea Tree that typically ranges between 8-25 feet in height. But both types of plants belong to the same genus, Hydrangea.
What Is Hydrangea Tree Symbolism?
The Hydrangea Tree symbolism depends upon who you ask. In Asia and especially Japan, Hydrangeas symbolize emotion and understanding,32 while the European region has a negative association with Hydrangeas where they symbolize arrogance.
References
1N.C. Cooperative Extension. (2023). Hydrangea. Hydrangea (French Hydrangea, Mountain Hydrangea, Oak-leaf Hydrangea, Peegee Hydrangea). North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/Hydrangea/>
2Munroe, S. (2020, December 28). The Duration Of Hydrangeas. Flowers R&G. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.flowersryg.com/the-duration-of-Hydrangeas/>
3Wikipedia. (2023, September 3). Hydrangea. Wikipedia. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrangea>
4Gardenia. (2023). Hydrangea Types – Which one is yours? Gardenia.net. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.gardenia.net/guide/Hydrangea-types>
5Carmichael, C. (2020, October 8). Horticultural Terms. ANR Blogs. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=43767>
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9Hinkamp, D. (1999, August). A Shrub By Any Other Name Is a Bush. Utah State University Extension. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1796&context=extension_histall>
10Meyer, E. (2023). Hydrangea macrophylla. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/Hydrangea-macrophylla/>
11Meyer, E. (2023). Hydrangea arborescens. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/Hydrangea-arborescens/>
12N.C. Cooperative Extension. (2023). Hydrangea quercifolia. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/Hydrangea-quercifolia/>
13Wunderlin, R. P.; Hansen, B. F.; Franck, A. R.; Essig, F. B. (2023). PrintHydrangea. Atlas of Florida Plants. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Genus.aspx?id=619>
14Coulter, Lynn. (2023). How to Change Hydrangea Color. HGTV. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/trees-and-shrubs/how-to-change-Hydrangea-color>
15N.C. Cooperative Extension. (2023). Hydrangea serrata. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved from September 4, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/Hydrangea-serrata/>
16N.C. Cooperative Extension. (2023). Hydrangea anomala. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/Hydrangea-anomala/>
17Cihacek, L.; Augustin, C.; Buetow, R.; Landblom, D.; Alghamdi, R.; Şentürklü, S. (2021 March). What is Soil Acidity? North Dakota State University Publications. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/what-is-soil-acidity>
18N.C. Cooperative Extension. (2023). Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ PP #12874. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/Hydrangea-paniculata-limelight-pp-12874/>
19Roberson, K. (2023, July 20). How to Plant and Grow Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas. Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/shrubs/Hydrangea-vanilla-strawberry/>
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27Buiano, M. (2022, December 16). How to Grow and Care for Hydrangeas, the Summer Showstoppers Every Gardener Should Plant. Martha Stewart. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.marthastewart.com/1130088/Hydrangea-care-things-you-should-know>
28Dekker, S. (2023, March 22). HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR PANICLE Hydrangea. Gardener’s Path. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://gardenerspath.com/plants/ornamentals/grow-panicle-Hydrangea/>
29Friedman, W. (2019, July 15). Eminent Panicle Hydrangeas. Arnold Arboretum. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/eminent-panicle-Hydrangeas/>
30Moulton, M. (2022, February 24). 11 Hydrangea Companion Plants (& What Not To Plant With Them). Blooming Backyard. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.bloomingbackyard.com/Hydrangea-companion-plants/>
31Atlas Scientific. (2022, July 18). How To Increase The PH In Soil? Atlas Scientific. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://atlas-scientific.com/blog/how-to-increase-the-ph-in-soil>
32ProFlowers. (2016, August 15). Hydrangea meaning: symbolism + history. ProFlowers. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from <https://www.proflowers.com/blog/Hydrangea-meaning>
33Photo by Obsidian_Tanto. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangea-forest-floor-forest-1163874/>
34Photo by KRiemer. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/panicle-hydrangea-hydrangea-garden-4440627/>
35Photo by leoleobobeo. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/oak-leaf-hydrangea-hydrangea-shrub-3419403/>
36Photo by tokkokg. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangea-serrata-ailanthus-6245497/>
37Photo by marjattacajan. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangea-flowers-plant-6157003/>
38Photo by kschwicht. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangea-limelight-flower-nature-2719215/>
39190908 193 Chicago Botanic Gdn – Heritage Garden, Japan Bed, Hydrangea paniculata Vanilla Strawberry™ ‘Renhy’ Panicle Hydrangea Photo by cultivar413 / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0). Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://flickr.com/photos/131880272@N06/48861587136>
40Rispen-Hortensie Grandiflora Photo by Huhu. Public Domain. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rispen-Hortensie_Grandiflora.JPG>
41Photo by Dustytoes. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangea-perennial-pinky-winky-733338/>
42Photo by JillWellington. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangea-blue-purple-flowers-pot-2239240/>
43Photo by Hans. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangeas-flower-blooming-blossoms-177317/>
44Photo by JACLOU-DL. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/hydrangeas-blue-purple-flowering-2466300/>
45Bigleaf Hydrangea flowers Photo. Provided by Denise Davis
46Flower Pink Hydrangea Blossom Photo by Gloria Kaye (gloriak2700). (2017, August 20) / Pixabay Content License. Cropped and added text, shape, and background elements. Pixabay. Retrieved February 23, 2024, from <https://pixabay.com/photos/flower-pink-hydrangea-blossom-2660569/>