Spectacular flowers make the Hydrangea a landscape favorite. They are also a source of frustration for homeowners when they do not bloom. Improper pruning or winter damage is the primary reason a Hydrangea may not bloom. The name Hydrangea is from the Greek "Hydro" (water) and "Aggeion" (vessel) referring to the cup shaped seed capsules. There are many species and varieties of Hydrangeas...these are the categories of Hydrangeas carried by Wedel's:
Hydrangea Arborensens share these characteristics: Bloom in the summer on the current season's growth - new wood, so can be pruned in late winter or early spring to 2-3 feet. Bloom stays all summer, color is NOT affected by pH. Tolerates shade, part shade and full sun (with adequate moisture). Growth rate is med. to fast, is considered a native.
Annabelle 3' x 3' white
Invincibelle Spirit 3' x 3-4' pink
Incrediball 4' x 5' white, very large blooms
Hydrangea Petiolaris - Climbing Hydrangea - vine. Blooms on old wood, white flowers, can grow 60-80', but can be kept trimmed. Needs strong support. Considered a shade plant, can take some sun with adequate water supply. Recommended planting on east or north side in our area. Fragrant.
Quercifolia - Oakleaf Hydrangea, woody plant, bark will exfoliate when older, flowers are white, will fade to pinkish, then brown. Bloom June through July, some are fragrant. Prune flowers in late August for best bud development for the following year. Sun or part shade (1/2). Foilage turns reddish purple in fall. Flower color not affected by pH.
Oakleaf 6-10' white flowers in June
Pee Wee 2-3' abundant white flowers
Snow Queen 7-10' large white flowers, deep red/purple
Ruby Slippers 3-3.5' pink
Hydrangea Macrophylla - Mophead, big leaf. Generally flowers range from pink to blue, depending on the pH of the soil, width 6-6.5 for pink, 4.5-5.5 for blue. All bloom on old wood, re-bloomers also flower on new wood. In fall, when leaves are gone, trim stems to 12-15", cover with soil for mulch to protect the next year's blooms. They do best in part sun/part shade, avoiding mid-day sun, require more water when in sunny location.
Blushing Bride 4-6' white/pink re-bloomer
Double Delights Perfection 2-3' brightpink/purple re-bloomer
Double Delights Stargazer 3-4' pink/lavender white edge re-bloomer
Double Delights Wedding Gown2-3' white blooms mopheads/lacecaps
Lets Dance Blue Jangles 2-3' pink/blue re-bloomer
Lets Dance Diva 2-3' pink/blue lacecap
Endless Summer 3-5'pink/blue re-bloomer
Cityline Venice 2-3' pink/blue early-late summer blooms
Cityline Paris 2-3' pink/blue early-late summer blooms
Cityline Vienna 2-3' pink/blue early-late summer blooms
Twist and Shout 3-5' pink/blue lacecap, re-bloomer
Nantucket Blue 3-6' pink/blue re-bloomer
Pistachio 3-4' pink/green/violet tie-dyed, rebloomer
Hydrangea Paniculata - woody, shrubby type, also offered in tree shape. This group will tolerate full sun, part shade. Color is not affected by pH. Blooms on new wood in mid-summer, with blooms gradually turning pinkish (some varieties), then ecru. Blooms can be trimmed in Sept, or early spring.
Limelight 6-8' tree-form or shrub, lime green
Little Lime 4-6' white/lime green
Little Quick Fire 3-4' two-tone, white to dark pink
Pinky Winky 6-8'tree form or shrub, two-tone, pink to white
Quick Fire 6-8'tree-form or shrub, two-tone, white to dark pink
Pasionate 6-8'tree-form, large fragrant two-tone, white to pink
Phantom 6-9' tree-form, cream to pink
Vanilla Fraise 6-7' white turning pink
Vanilla Strawberry 6-7' white to pink to red
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Limelight Tree
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Take note that Hydrangea Paniculata is available as a tree form or shrub form. The tree form can be used very effectively in your landscape as a focal point or in contrast to other shrub form Hydrangeas.
Simply put, all one basically needs to know to achieve successful blooming is "does this variety flower on old growth (last year's stems), or new growth (this year's stems)".
Hydrangea Macrophylla blooms on previous year's stems and should not be pruned in fall or spring. They should be planted in a protected area of the landscape. The north side of the house works well. Otherwise protect the plant in winter with burlap screen or fencing mounded with straw, pine needles, bark or oak leaves. Don't use maple leaves, they mat and suffocate the plant. Remove protection in May. Consider using new varieties like Endless Summer that bloom on both old and new wood.
Hydrangea Arborensens, Petiolaris, Querciolia and Paniculata bloom on the new season's growth and can be pruned or cut back from late fall into early spring. An exception may be Querciolia "Oak Leaf" Hydrangeas. Even though they bloom on new seasons' growth, you'll have better success when they are treated like Hydrangeas Paniculata and Quercifolia. Hydrangeas prefer a cool, moist soil. Don't let them dry out but provide good drainage. Soil with a high organic content is beneficial, fertile & remains moist while providing drainage. Mulch around the base of the plant is helpful.
Remember their name..."hydra" (water) and "Macrophylla (big leaf) is an indication they do not like to dry out. Standing in poorly drained soil is also a problem. That's why working in liberal amounts of organic material into the soil is a good idea. Good soil is a proper proportion of water, air and minerals for healthy roots. 
If you have some pretty garden pictures you would like to share and submit for consideration please e-mail them to Terrie at 
Blue Nootka Falsecypress is an eye catching specimen that serves as a centerpiece or a broader focal point when accompanied by finer or coarser textured trees/shrubs. The rich blue of the foliage complements either light or dark greens of companion plants. The addition of Blue Nootka will certainly add a majestic splendor to any landscape.
This month's Garden Native will add an overall graceful spirit to your landscape whether used as a screen, a specimen or a part of the panorama of your entire design. 
