Top 10 varieties of hydrangeas

Powerful, fast-growing, sprawling bush, often exceeds the height of 2 meters, reaches a width of 2 m. Strong shoots, vertical. The young growth of juicy red-brown color, and old shoots get a grayish shade. The inflorescences are broadly tapered with a blunt tip, more than 30 cm long, consists of large sterile flowers. In September, the cream color changes to pale pink. Able to grow on any soil. It is highly resistant to diseases. Even when planted on overmoistened soils, the bushes do not suffer from root rot. Shows excellent winter hardiness, and when frosting in some years, it quickly recovers and flourishes magnificently. The variety is perfect for both bush forming and growing stem trees. Able for several decades to grow in one place without transplantation and rejuvenation. Well propagated by cuttings and layering. In the middle zone is preferably planted in sunny areas.

Vanille Fraise is a very popular variety among florist hydrangeas. Shrub 1.5 - 2 m high, with an asymmetrical wide spreading crown. The name "vanilla strawberry" this variety received for the unique color of the inflorescences. At the beginning of flowering, they are soft white, but in the sun over time, the flowers begin to turn pink from the base, acquiring a raspberry color by autumn. As a result, a separate inflorescence looks like whipped vanilla ice cream with strawberry syrup. The length of the broad-pyramidal inflorescences is 30 - 35 cm. The flowers are sterile. Under the weight of inflorescences shoots droop. The plant is unpretentious and frost-resistant (4 - 5 zone). In the suburbs adult bushes overwinter without shelter, but for young saplings they spend mulching. It blooms in the first year of planting.

Spectacular Belgian varieties of hydrangea paniculata. The bush in different regions has a height of 1.5 - 2.5 m. The crown of an adult plant is wide and spreading. The shoots are not drooping, red-brown, stand out among sparse leaves. White cone-shaped inflorescences with a pointed apex consist of fertile and sterile flowers, the latter prevail. The peculiarity of the variety is the continued growth of inflorescences in autumn. As a result, the bases become bright purple, and on the top new white large flowers bloom. Inflorescences of medium density, directed upwards. With good care, the inflorescences will be large in size already in the first bloom, 20-25 cm long. Young bushes can not be tied up, but with age the appearance of especially large panicles in rainy and windy weather can lead to bending of the shoots, therefore, apply a garter to the support. Winter hardiness is high. Before winter, it is recommended to cut the inflorescences in order to exclude the likelihood of the shoots breaking off. In some years, preventive treatments may be required.

The powerful, compact bush 2 m high, does not collapse under weight of inflorescences and does not demand a garter. The shoots are green, densely leafy. Widely pyramidal sterile inflorescences up to 30 cm long appear in August and adorn the bush until October. At the beginning of flowering, the flowers have a bright lime tint, which in the penumbra becomes yellow-green, and in the sun - snow-white. By autumn, a typical pinkish tint appears. In the autumn leaves of a lilac shade increase decorative effect. To obtain large greenish inflorescences, it is important to maintain soil fertility. In the winter, it is recommended to cut off all the inflorescences so that the shoots do not break under the weight of snow-covered brushes. Shows good resistance to disease and frost. Young bushes in the harsh winter can freeze slightly, but frost resistance increases with age.

Widely known variety of hydrangea tree. Shrub 1.3 - 1.9 m high with a rounded crown. Faceliness is average, the bush looks loose. Young shoots green, pubescent. Hemispheric lush inflorescences with a diameter of 20-30 cm consist of large sterile flowers. In full dissolution of inflorescence pure white. Winter hardiness is high (zone 4–5), but in regions with severe winters shelter is required. It has a high growth rate and quickly grows shoots. For the formation of large inflorescences needs annual spring pruning.

A variety of tree hydrangea. Bush height 1.2 - 1.5 m, with a rounded crown. The leaves are large up to 20 cm in length. The inflorescence is a flat shield, in the form of a dome with a diameter of 10–25 cm, in the center there are small fertile flowers, and large sterile flowers only on the edge, which gives an effect of openwork. The color of the inflorescences is cream with a snow-white border. The shoots are strong, erect, the bush keeps its shape and without support. A spherical crown in diameter can reach 2–3 m. The growth force is high, the annual increment is 20 cm. High winter hardiness (zone 5). In the Leningrad region and the suburbs, adult plants hibernate without shelter, but young ones can freeze slightly.

Remontant variety of large-leaved hydrangea from the Forever & Ever series. It draws attention to the unusual two-tone color of the inflorescences: the flowers have a wide white border, and in the center they can be pink, purple or blue. Inflorescences of large sterile flowers, up to 25 cm in diameter, in the shape of a hemisphere. Bush height 0.7 - 0.9 m, compact spherical crown. Suitable for container growing. For the full development of isolated solar areas, partial shade - only in the south.