Hydrangea Haven

Hydrangeas have been used in Chinese and Japanese gardens for centuries. In 1739 hydrangea recieved their name from a botanist by the name of Grovonius. The hydrangea's fruiy is reminiscent of an acient water pitcher. He put together the words 'hydro' (meaning water) and 'angeion' (meaning vat or pitcher) giving Hydrangea its name!

We have three different families of Hydrangea at our garden centre this year in Simcoe. Arborescens, Macrophylla and Paniculata. Below we have described the differences in each of the families.

Arborescens Hydrangea

Commonly known as mophead or 'Smooth Hydrangea'. Their flowers are large and round. These hydrangeas are commonly larger then the Macrophylla family but smaller the the Paniculata family. Hardy to zone 3 and prefer full or part shade. Generally these Hydrangea grow between 3 and 5 feet.

Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea
The Invincibelle Spirit is the first hot pink Hydrangea in the Arborescens family! New for spring 2010, this hydrangea is assisting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in raising funds. For each hydrangea sold, $1 is being donated. Invincibelle Spirit is as hardy and adaptable as 'Annabelle' but produces loads of hot pink flowers from early summer to frost. It's a reliable bloomer in the north and is also heat tolerant.

Incrediball Hydrangea
Everyone is talking about Incrediball, the new and improved 'Annabelle' Hydrangea with strong, beefy stems and massive blooms.

Annabelle Hydrangea
Tried and True! This original cultivar has large white blooms mid summer till fall.

Macrophylla Hydrangea

These next two series of hydrangea love full to part sun and enjoy some moisture. They are part of the hydrangea Macrophylla family.

Endless Summer Series
The Hydrangea in this collection bloom blue, purple or pink depending on the pH of your soil. For blue blooms, acidic soil is required. If your soil is not naturally acidic a soil These Hydrangea will grow 3 to 5 feet tall. These exceptional bloomers are hardy to zone 4.

Cityline Series
These Hydrangea also vary in colour similar to the Endless Summer Series. These dwarf Hydrangea are perfect for a borders or containers as they only grow 1 to 3 feet tall. These vibrant hyrangea are hardy to zone 5.

Paniculata Hydrangea

Paniculata hydrangea have cone shaped blossoms that change colours and age very well into the fall. Hydrangea in this family can be pruned after blooming or in the spring. Pruning too late in the spring or early summer will affect the developing blossoms. These Hydrangea prefer full or part shade and once established are tolerant of most soil types. The varieties listed below are all hardy to zone 3. These Hydrangea are usually 5 feet and taller.

Limelight Hydrangea

An exciting hardy Hydrangea from Holland, 'Limelight' has unique bright chartreuse blooms in mid-summer that hold bright and refreshing color right into autumn when the blooms change color to a rich deep pink.

Pinky Winky Hydrangea
The large white panicles open in mid to late summer, and as summer turns to fall the florets at the base of the panicles turn pink. The flower panicles continue to grow, producing new white florets at the tip. The result is spectacular two-toned flower panicles that can reach up to 16 inches in length! Adaptable to most soils and both sun and shade, Pinky Winky will thrive in most gardens.

Little Lamb Hydrangea
A sweet compact hardy Hydrangea from Belgium. Little Lamb is unique because its flower petals are the smallest and most delicate of any Hydrangea. These little flowers are held in tight, but delicate flower heads that look like dancing lambs floating above this compact shrub.

Phantom Hydrangea

A bold and audacious shrub that produces endless reams of massive and dense conical flower clusters at the ends of the branches, probably the fullest flower heads of the panicle hydrangeas; a rather coarse shrub, benefits from a regular pruning.

Visit us at 652 Norfolk Street South, Simcoe, Ontario.