How to choose the right hydrangea

[@sprivate1333]

wow this is the BEST comprehensive video, without too many details that a typical gardener like myself, needs to know. THANK YOU!!!

[@leighseymour235]

GREAT information Erin! Totally agree that with all the new varieties available, I've found myself confused on which one is right for my situation. I'm zone 7 and learned the hard way that one labeled "full sun" couldn't handle zone 7 full sun. Thanks for steering me on how to figure that out! Love your channel!

[@TaraSwiger1]

This is good to know as I have a lot of shade and zone 7, and want some hydrangeas.

[@gailhall8269]

Help! My pinky winky has cane borers, what can I do?

[@denisewax5396]

Wonderful video, great advice, I’m in Zion 8 at the beach, I give plants 3 years to prove it deserves a place in my garden, then I rip it out, never to think of again. There’s to many great plants to try👍

[@annespun]

I can’t even believe it happened, but here in Minnesota, the hydrangeas were nearly perfect across the board. We have had a severe drought all summer, so I don’t know how every single hydrangea I have seen across the state has been magnificent. Old, new, sun, shade, colors, whites, etc. It was just some kind of magic summer.

[@jessicalmcdaniel9878]

I think Proven Winners test gardens are somewhere in Michigan….maybe? Anyway, a lot of the hydrangeas are labeled for mid zones, vs high zones like mine, 8a

[@jessicalmcdaniel9878]

So when the label says “full sun”, it definitely doesn’t mean full sun here…it would fry them. But it’s hard to get enough sun for them to bloom, but not cook the plant

[@WorldsOkayestBusDriver]

Thank you, I was so DONE with hydrangea. Then, I went to Alabama last week. I saw the hydrangeas growing with the pine trees in the true acidic soil. They were bluish purple and beautiful. I started to want them in my acid bed with my azaleas and roses.

[@disneyjenn1671]

We have beautiful hydrangeas down here in Alabama. I’m glad you got to see some. I love to spot them peeking out of the pines while driving. Good luck planting some of your own.

[@kallistamorgan1349]

Hi all! I am looking for the right hydrangea that will do well in northern Alabama. Hoping for the classic white. Any suggestions?

[@prairie2gem]

Patents, Abstracts, and Objectives, Oh my! This info is gold, thank you for giving us the tools to research, Erin!

[@maryosullivan8063]

Erin, I couldn’t possibly count how many videos on hydrangeas I’ve watched (love them!)- this is def one of the best yet. Great info, thanks!

[@Bandaid17]

Just when I was starting to get dizzy from all the choices, you helped set me straight. Nice plug for Dr Dirr who has been breeding hydrangeas for years. Love that man!!

[@kooale]

As solid an author as we have after Doug Tallamy, yes?

[@flower-the-earth]

I ❤ Mopheads. Thank you for highlighting the most amazing flowering shrubs ever created!

[@amydeeds6248]

Thanks for giving me permission to get rid of my Endless Summer that gets 2 blooms if I’m lucky lol! Yes, I love my Tuff Stuff hydrangeas-they always bloom even on the north side of my house in Michigan. I just watched my neighbor take a hedge trimmer to his endless summer hydrangeas lol. Great information.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I got rid of mine several years ago and my mom asked for it for along her fence (she said she didn't care if it bloomed, she just wanted something there). Do you know what that ungrateful plant did? It bloomed like crazy for her!

[@amydeeds6248]

@@TheImpatientGardener of course it did. After the same shearing last year, my neighbor’s also bloomed like crazy late July-August. I baby mine and no luck.

[@sharonsullivan731]

I pulled mine out. a couple of blooms every several years. Greenery was healthy so that was a plus. I heard these referred to as "Endless Disappointment". I know they have more varieties now...I had an orginal so it might be worth trying one of the new introductions.

[@cindydunn8599]

Wow! Great teaching video content! Thanks Erin.

[@Jpatmeadowbrook]

This was a great Master Gardener Helpline answer to a inquiry! Loved the hummingbird finale:)

[@robinrowell1808]

Thank you for this video!! I am in zone 7b and want to add more hydrangeas to my yard. I have found Let's Dance Arriba is a good reblooming hydrangea in my zone. Finding the right place for hydrangeas is my dilemma. Getting that right amount of morning sun and yet be protected from afternoon sun.

[@juliafiore120]

Good morning, Erin ☕️My Pinky Winky is enormous! It is gorgeous and i cut it back every year! I love it! Zone 6 South of Boston. Have a Blessed Day 😊

[@nothingpersonal878]

A row of 10 Incrediball was removed this summer much to my delight! What a PITA. Replaced them with trouble free Limelight’s which are doing fabulously! Yaaa! Zone 4 Alberta 🇨🇦.

[@bohnnco]

They really are such a PITA but I’m in 7b where too much sun fries them, too little sun they flop and don’t bloom. I’m over Arborescence. But yeah can’t go wrong with Paniculata.

[@nothingpersonal878]

@@bohnnco They get fried from the sun in zone 4 as well. Flop on the hot cloudy days. Even with drip irrigation running twice a day on the hot days. Often they die back in the winter or kick the bucket all together.

[@thatlittlevoice8292]

As far as i can tell, arborescence are popular mainly due to marketing. They spread like weeds and box stores still charge a lot of money for them.

[@suzetteccc]

Hi from Vancouver. The only PITA of my Increds is that they grew to over 6' because I took 1/3 off as so many said. Way shorter this year and even shorter if it still happens!

[@mraereed]

​@@suzettecccWhat does PITA mean?

[@HarmonyHillsHomeandGarden]

This is an EXCELLENT video! It never occurred to me to look at the patent info. Genius! I’m thinking that my border of four original Endless Summers are not long for this world. 🤣

[@SusanschneiderVirginia]

Thanks Erin for the game changing patent tip. I live in 7A Richmond VA. I ripped out my mopheads a year ago. So sick of no blooming, coupled with 4:30 leaf spot They were the last shrubs to break dormancy and who wants a plant that won’t bloom and is ugly (here, heat beats them) shrubs. Will dip my toe back in mophead bloom but will forever look at patent info for shrubs and perennials. Trees as well. You are such an inspiration and I wish we were neighbors!

[@mbd5182]

More info than I thought I needed to know….. but I did. Thanks so much

[@CarmenGarcia-n5q]

So so helpful to hear this! Now I know the issue may be that I have the wrong hydrangea for my garden and not me as a gardener.

[@Barbie548]

Thank you! Thank you! Great news of upcoming/new hydrangeas coming on the market!

[@suzetteccc]

Thanks, Erin, for this video. I looked up the Incediball patent name and got some good information. For one thing, mine flopped like crazy this year. One day of rain and their 6' height went to the ground. Knowing they were developed from Annabelles, I wanted to prune them hard, but everyone, and I mean everyone, said take off 1/3 as I did. The patent information said they can be pruned to the ground. Here's hoping they are stronger next year!👍🏻

[@disneyjenn1671]

I am in zone 8b and I prune mine to about 8 inches every late February. They grow strong and tall with giant white mopheads. The envy of the neighborhood. I fertilize with rose tone when I prune them.

[@suzetteccc]

@@disneyjenn1671 Good to know. Thank you. I went about 18" this time and will see. I put holly tone on as well. Trial and error🙄

[@disneyjenn1671]

Oh I think you will see an improvement. I think anywhere 12-18 inches is good. See how they do and then maybe a little more off next year. It’s so hard to really know. Mine grow back to about 5 feet every year so they put on a lot of growth but the stems are stronger it seems. Best of luck.

[@suzetteccc]

@@disneyjenn1671 Good to know. thanks!

[@alice_rabbit8345]

Thanks for covering this. I have a small garden and would like to try a hydrangea next year!

[@BottlegardenUK]

Such great information, really helpful for home gardeners and flower farmers alike. Thank you Erin.❤

[@terrivance8750]

Erin, Of course, you know your next video will have to be all about Oak Leaf hydrangeas...soon, please. 😉😊

[@jessi330]

there's not as much variety for oakleafs - Gatsby [Pink, Gal, Moon, Star], Jetstream, Ruby Slippers, Alice and the rare Little Honey -yellow leaf variety.

[@carolynfuller6237]

I love hydrangeas but don't have great luck with them blooming (I have wonderful foliage) but you have given us so much good information that I think that I will try again in the spring now that I know more about the different types available.

[@maryannwytock9893]

Thanks for the permission to pull out my endless summer hydrangeas. They were great performers for 2 years. I’ve been threatening them every spring if they don’t show up this year they’ll be gone. I’ve decided that this is the year they will preform in my compost pile. There are too many new and preforming varieties out there.

[@AA-ph7pz]

Another consideration is the sterile flowers/fertile flowers on the bloom. Sterile flowers are meant to "attract" the pollinators, who then need the fertile flowers for sustenance. Gigantic blooms that are nothing but sterile flowers aren't necessarily the best choice for pollinators. Of course gardens are for people, so plant what you think is beautiful. But maybe factor in the presence of fertile flowers in the bloom. This applies to arborescens (compare Haas Halo with even Annabelle; arborescens are actually lacecaps) and paniculata (compare Limelight flowers to Quickfire)

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Excellent point.

[@robertcraven1771]

How can one tell the difference?

[@kooale]

Such solid advice & thinking! THANKS!

[@jeannequick9551]

Excellent, excellent. I knew some of this info, but I learned so much more. I am in WI also but a Zone 4 and some of the Hydrangeas just don't bloom yearly - the original Endless Summer for one. Now I know how to find the info to decide which variety will do well in my zone. You made me a happy gardener.

[@MadiC714]

I was burned so many times by big leaf hydrangeas as a new gardener up north 😅 but Sky View looks tempting. Please keep us updated on how it does next year!

[@risalangdon9883]

Very helpful info!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!! I personally love the "Mountain" lace caps the most. There is just something less formal about them. Yet they still add structure & elegance which make them very inviting in the garden

[@sandramulchahey8268]

Great video, much needed information im struggling with hydrangeas in my zone 8 except for limelight which is a workhorse

[@mt2766]

Thank you, Erin, this video is a great service to gardening enthusiasts!

[@rosemownow]

Such a fun informational video!!! Thanks Erin - your love of knowledge is delightful to be invited into - passion is contagious 🌸✨

[@hanthouse]

I totally agree. I can’t buy everything that is new and beautiful. What am I suppose to do with the ones I have. Plants are expensive

[@janetweick4144]

Sitting here thinking about planting new hydrangeas next year and up pops your video...kismet! Thanks for making my search more organized.

[@upnorth21]

Great info, I love when you give permission to move a plant or just get rid of it. I just dug up 1 of my beloved Annabelle, as I was fighting nature with it every year. Too much shade. Noticed the hummingbirds right away. So fun to see.

[@tatianamaria1]

Love these categorical explanation vids! Keep em coming!

[@kesangnamgyal2892]

Thank you for all the new information on hydrangeas.......it was most helpful!

[@deborahpellerito6117]

Thankyou for helping me with macrophyllas Erin

[@kristywhited8857]

Great video! You're a wonderful teacher! This will be so helpful to so many. I have deer....LOTS of deer. So, I was pushing it to plant only ONE hydrangea and I have to protect it like it holds top-level government secrets. LOL! I chose Little Quick Fire, which doesn't seem to be one of the more popular. But I love it because it's a panicle with a more open (leaning toward but not quite lacecap) bloom. I think I chose a great spot for it and so far, so good.

[@ericjorgensen8028]

Kristy, LQF is probably my favorite of all the smaller varieties too. Two FYIs you may find interesting...first is mine often get very good fall color - orange/yellow. Second is that many paniculatas, their cuttings propagate/root very easily ... so not too much trouble to make yourself (!)

[@joydavis4087]

Picking the right hydrangea is daunting. I am currently faced with this dilemma. To choose the wrong one, means time, effort and money. For me, it’s which one can handle Zone 7B full sun. It will be an experiment, even with a lot of research. Thank you so much for this video. I will definitely look up the patent details.

[@twontv]

Such awesome information!!!! Thank you Erin 🥰

[@dianebright9366]

What a wonderful, informative video! Than you, Erin!

[@Nikki7B]

My mom tried growing various varieties of macrophylla hydrangeas over the years. We are in zone 7a Ontario Canada. She was always left with disappointment, and yet she keep buying them. I finally showed up with panicles for her, told her to rip them out if they dont make you happy, and i planted the lime light hydrangeas for her. She has finally been so happy. They take the sun, survive the winter, and add beauty to her yard.

[@DoubleJoOnTheGo]

Oh no! I just picked up a Blue Heaven from Canadian Tire. I hope it is not too fragile!

[@sherryrodrigo5457]

​@@DoubleJoOnTheGoIam in zone 7 in Toronto. My front yard is full of big leaf or macrophylla hydrangea. And they are doing amazing. They don't like harsh direct sun for long periods of time. If you properly give them water they will do great. Sometimes water in the morning and again in the evening.

[@1982kinger]

I'm in burlington.... hydrangeas die fast in my garden

[@Nikki7B]

@1982kinger yeah, we are in kingsville (close to windsor) and it's just the macrophylla hydrangeas that are picky here, they always die or never bloom. I switched to panicle hydrangeas for myself and my mom, and they are huge and not picky at all.

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Fabulous video Erin. Hydrangeas are such a great investment for a garden. It makes sense to choose the right variety that will perform the best for your situation. Thanks for sharing!

[@suzannebartow6390]

You are so right about replacing old hydrangeas with so many great new ones. My new hydrangea love is Hydrangea Macrophylla Star Gazer 'Kompeito'. It came to me as a very small plant from Mr. Maple last spring and it bloomed this summer. Charming double lace cap variegated pink and white. Check it out.

[@karinhamann5019]

Great information! This is the first time that I have heard this helpful information.

[@TJacobs1148]

Thank you for all the great information Erin. Your knowledge about these hydrangea types is amazing. Thank you.

[@klk12399]

Thanks for the great info on hydrangeas...and the hummingbirds cameo!

[@kenbrown438]

I just got my notification and rushed right over !!!!

[@GardeningSpirit]

I gave my little lime hydrangeas to my friend and they are thriving well in her garden. I replaced mine w/ endless summer instead. I agree, if you don't love it gift it off to someone else... life is too short to have plants you don't love.

[@mjworcester9977]

Fab info. Can’t wait to poke around in the patents on a snowy winter evening!

[@casandrasobczak4446]

Thank you soooo much for this information, especially the patent stuff!

[@heatheryarbrough5255]

Thanks for all the great info. I’m working on developing some garden beds and want to plant some hydrangeas.

[@olaflangness2907]

Thank you for this presentation. It touched on things that no one else is discussing. Part of the joy of a hobby is to dive into details and the history of the breeding or discovery during an expedition. It can provide the gardner that little bit of extra knowledge so you have more success stories and less stories of garden failures. There are more species of hydrangea, and some close relatives to seek out and enjoy. Some are even groundcovers and climbers.

[@mainblaine456]

This video was so needed for so many! I’m so excited to see what plant breeders will come up with next. :)

[@sashaduncan1730]

Totally worth the watch!! Great information for sure. Thank you!

[@AttnDefDis_]

Happy to see you highlight First Editions. They don't seem to get the recognition they deserve. I planted my first hydrangeas this year. I chose oakleaf because I love that foliage and the blooms age to pink. Also, the size and planting area I had. I planted two Jetstream from, you guessed it...First Editions. I've been very happy with them and I can't wait to see what they do in the coming years.

[@bettenotap4791]

Great information Erin, thanks for keeping us smarter! Loved the ending. ❤

[@thegardenhouse8892]

Wonderful subject since I love hydrangeas, and yes I had some duds, and several have gone in the yard waste. Limelight has hands down been the best performer, looking forward to adding more after I hear about how they perform in my zone 4b, which seems to be a zone they just haven’t developed enough ones for yet. Thanks Erin, enjoyed this video!

[@dennisfeldman7799]

You always have such great information. I will be planting hydrangeas at my new home much better informed. 😊

[@karinhamann5019]

Thanks!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Thank you so much, @karinhamann5019! 💕💕💕💕

[@lynnbrowning3872]

Just found you! Such great informative videos!!! Thank you!😊

[@virginiacaracciolo5691]

One of the most informative and resourceful videos for gardeners! Thank you! 💚

[@evelinehitz8036]

Hi from Switzerland, There is a new „Strong Annabelle“ out there…no flopping. Have a row of 15 and their stems are holding up just wonderful 🥰

[@NatalieGardenPR]

Yes! Strong Annabelle is actually called Incrediball smooth hydrangea here in N. America!

[@leneb1912]

Was excited about the Lets Dance Rave in my Zone 7 garden. Total disappointment.2nd year no blooms. Took to compost pile and replaced with a Bobo paniculata. Bobo contines to perform and delight.❤

[@jacquelineguzman174]

I have a hedge of lime lights full sun in zone 7. They are beautiful all summer up until end of July then they get crispy instead of getting pink. Because we are so humid and don’t have cooler nights until September I recommend if zone 7 and above plant them with afternoon shade. Firelights in zone 7 and above do better in full sun and don’t turn brown. They pink up.

[@SarV1]

I have a Strawberry Vanilla and it gets afternoon sun, it crisps up in the summer instead of turning pink 😮‍💨 I'm going to have to move it

[@careyjohnston4176]

This is such a great video and I don't find many that have this amount of useful information. The ending bringing the focus of hummingbirds in background sets it apart. Thank you so much for how you arranged the content and added for people who might be confused about varieties. Very impressive ❤

[@eberlinschwinn5634]

Thank you for doing a deep dive. I’m fairly new to hydrangea and have been successful with just the marketing materials and some placement luck but I’m looking to add more and this new insight will help me tremendously. Patent searches here I come!

[@bengalcat7337]

Thank you so much Erin! I have some of the older varieties and some newer ones. You are right if they don’t stand up to your need replace them. I struggled with endless summer and also vanilla strawberry. My best luck so far has been the Annabelle and newer proven winners incrediball. I have a 80 foot hedge that performs fantastic with not much fuss. I also had incredible luck with tiny tidbit. Finding the right one might be trial error but well worth it! I garden in 5a.

[@christinaannabel]

Oh, my! An 80' hydrangea hedge! That must have been quite an investment, and a glorious sight to behold each summer!

[@bengalcat7337]

@@christinaannabel I was done over a few years. We started with Annabelle hydrangea and actually split some to make more. We have since added incrediball in front of them to help keep it from flopping in heavy rains. It was a awesome year for them and only a couple on the end flopped a bit due to a heavy rain and large blooms.

[@lisac.8266]

Thank you so much! Love hydrangeas so much! So much great information. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 😎✌🏻

[@roslynholcomb]

I am really considering pulling out all my macrophyllas save one because it’s a rebloomer. Bud hardiness is such an issue in 7 because we almost always have a March frost. Thanks for the info on what to replace them with. These new varieties are nice. Especially the cross with serrata.

[@venusgarden959]

Wow beautiful video🌹🌹😮😮❤❤

[@claralatoff5519]

Really like this format- consider for other plants?

[@tatianamaria1]

Agreed! Love the deep dives!

[@kimedge7493]

Just composted my 'Twist N Shout' and replaced it with the 'Haas Halo' you featured, but I'm still interested in a truly bud hardy lacecap for zone 5.

[@DeAnne9743]

Thinking about removing my two twist and shouts as well.

[@joannemurphy7407]

LOVE H. serrata! 'Preziosa' is not flat like most, but is a small mophead It morphs color during the season from light pink to deep burgundy.

[@joannakonopnicka8335]

Thank you for the most informative video on Hydrangeas types. Armed with the information about Patents will make choosing a new plant much easier.

[@idalolo1]

This video is awesome! Thank you, Erin!! YOU ROCK!

[@lorismith5369]

So helpful! My daughter leaves in Chattanooga TN, and I am learning for her zone what works best. She is a third generation of hydrangea lovers! TY! 😊

[@sreykimsear]

I have several types of hydrangeas in containers in my garden.

[@laurenwellman2516]

Thanks Erin. Great video and information. I think the spring frost we got here in zone 5 MA, killed my old wood flower buds on my Tuff Stuff and Let’s Dance hydrangeas. Basically no blooms except 2 on new wood. Lots of big green plants this year 😞

[@LaurieKnoll]

Thank you for the encouragement and permission to ditch the non-performing plants! I’m always waiting for improvement and realize I’ve been waiting a LONG 4-5 years .

[@carolsuesamuelson7935]

This year I have dug up two hydrangeas. They were sold around here. Only bloom on old wood. Thank you for letting me know what I need to look for plant shopping for Hydrangea.

[@melonieroe7310]

Great video. I learned a lot Appreciate you.

[@aalejardin]

Thanks for another intelligent and informative video. I never thought about looking at the patents for information (and I am a retired attorney). Pink Winky is a great one. We have had buckets of rain in the Hudson Valley (6b). I have Pinky Winky planted next to Limelight Prime and Vanilla Strawberry -- Pinky Winky is still standing tall while the other two have flopped. I will be on the lookout for Pinky Winky Prime and Eclipse certainly looks interesting too. I have to spray to deter deer but generally speaking, that works although it seems they have to take a bite or two here and there.

[@lisajelle714]

Very interesting- thanks for all this patent info!

[@LB-vl3qn]

Excellent information, thank you! Now that we're spoiled for choice we have to dig a little more (see what I did there?) to get the right plants. I really appreciate you, Erin, and hope that you will forgive my silly pun. Looking forward to seeing how these plants work out in your garden. ~ Lisa

[@cathybragg1279]

Thank you for this! So helpful. Ive been digging out my old school floppers and slowly replacing them. So satisfying!! I'm tired of the upkeep. Time to plant smarter and not work harder!!

[@TimeTravelReads]

Thank you. The Let's Dance Arriba sounds perfect for me.

[@nancyw5779]

What a great video! The number of named hydrangeas is mind boggling. My Endless Summer hydrangea was a very lush plant this summer, but no flowers thanks to the April deep freeze we had in the South (7a). On the other hand, the Endless Summer we have in our Cape Cod zone 7a had several flowers, each one a different shade of pink or blue. Crazy. Thanks so much for the information.

[@robertparker8669]

Word Salad! Love it.

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

Very true! What works up north might not (probably won't) here along the Texas Gulf Coast in Zone 9a. The best hydrangea for my butterfly/hummingbird/pollinator garden? No hydrangeas! 😂 But I do understand many gardeners really love them.

[@acasburn1460]

It’s like everything in stores these days,customers are spoiled for choice. Sometimes you might have two or more products that are very similar or the same. You guys in the States and Europe have so much choice when it comes to Hydrangea Paniculata and Arborescens. Here in Australia we don’t even have Paniculata Limelight or Arborescens Incrediball.

[@shelleymolinaro5866]

Great info Erin! I have been procrastinating about taking out 3 endless summer that do not light me up . They were all the rage 20 years ago when I started this garden . Out they Go!!!

[@cherylbevis6535]

One of your most educational videos for me! Thank you!

[@tamararobinson2069]

Thank You!!!! Awesome Info!!!!

[@marthasidney2387]

So much good information! I will be revisiting this video a lot I know. Thank you so much.

[@Cmash5195]

Thanks for such great information, Erin. Your videos are always so informative and entertaining.

[@michelebushnik2874]

Wonderful information here Erin! Got my wheels turning in my head for sure! Thank you for this!

[@beckystauffer3483]

Erin, I loved this video. So informative and exciting. I have about 8 varieties of hydrangeas now but get excited about every new one I hear about. Thank you so much for such a clear description of the various types and how to dig for more information. 💕