A favorite of many gardeners - and deservedly so - Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' (Smooth Hydrangea) is an outstanding flowering shrub. In early summer, this small, bushy deciduous shrub produces huge, rounded flower clusters, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden. Blooming for up to two months, the blossoms open lime-green, mature to brilliant white, then back to pale green in late summer before switching to a tan shade in the fall. Prized for its excellent resistance to insects and diseases, Annabelle is a good choice for the mixed border. The flowers make great cut flowers, fresh or dried.

Noted for its upright stems that do not flop, Hydrangea arborescens Incrediball® (Smooth Hydrangea) is both a reliable and gorgeous flowering shrub. In early summer, this compact, deciduous shrub produces huge, rounded flower clusters, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden. Blooming for up to two months, the blossoms open lime-green, mature to brilliant white, then back to pale green in late summer before switching to a tan shade in fall. They contrast nicely with the foliage of large, ovate, dark green leaves. Incrediball is an improved version of the popular Annabelle hydrangea, with strong, sturdy stems that do not flop over and extra-large blooms. Incredibly hardy, even in the harshest winters, this US native hydrangea is perfect for mixed borders, small gardens and patio containers. The flowers make great cut flowers, fresh or dried.

Noted for its enormous inflorescences, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Big Daddy' produces stunning, rounded flower heads, up to 14 in. across (35 cm), densely packed with sky blue to pink florets, depending on the soil pH. Blooming on both old and new growth, this reblooming mophead hydrangea flowers in early-mid summer on old growth and in midsummer to fall on new growth, guaranteeing a long season of interest. The profuse blossoms appear on a bushy plant, adorned with dark green, glossy leaves. 'Big Daddy' is perfect as a specimen or in small groupings for the shady border.

Particularly eye-catching, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Peppermint' features huge, rounded flower heads, up to 10 in. across (25 cm), densely packed with white florets adorned with pink or blue stripes, depending on the soil pH. Flowering from early summer until frost, 'Peppermint' is a prolific reblooming hydrangea, which blooms on both old and new growth. Even if old growth buds are winter damaged, the plant still flowers in summer on new growth. The foliage is dark green with large, glossy, serrated leaves. Slow-growing and compact, this elegant mophead hydrangea creates drama in the garden.

A recent addition to the Endless Summer series, Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer® BloomStruck® is another exceptional mophead cultivar with medium-sized, rounded flower heads, up to 5 in. across (12 cm), densely packed with intense rose-pink, violet, or blue florets, depending on the soil pH. Blooming on both old and new growth, this reblooming hydrangea blooms consistently and provides gorgeous flowers all summer long. The flowers are borne on strong, upright, ruby red stems, adding to this plant's striking presence. Equally handsome, the foliage of large, serrated, dark green leaves is adorned with red petioles and red veins. It turns reddish purple in the fall. Exceptionally cold hardy, with good heat tolerance and great disease resistance.

A favorite of many gardeners - and deservedly so - Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer® The Original is an exceptional mophead cultivar for 2 reasons. Firstly, its unique ability to bloom on both old and new growth, giving it the ability to bloom consistently and provide gorgeous flowers all summer long as flower buds are produced not only in the fall but also in spring and summer. Secondly, it has an excellent winter hardiness, which makes flowering quite reliable, regardless of winter temperature. The flowers grow up to 8 in. wide (20 cm), pink in alkaline soils or blue in acidic soils.

Deservedly popular, Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' or 'PeeGee' is a large, upright, deciduous shrub or small tree with conical flower panicles, up to 18 in. long (45 cm), packed almost entirely with sterile florets. Showy, the creamy-white florets become pink-tinged as fall approaches. Blooming profusely from midsummer to fall, the charming blossoms are so heavy that the branches bend over with their weight. The foliage of ovate, serrated, dark green leaves shows hints of yellow to reddish-purple in the fall. Introduced from Japan in the 1860s, 'Grandiflora' is an excellent subject for the mixed border.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Greenspire' features long and pointy, conical panicles, up to 12 in. (30 cm), packed with sterile and fertile florets. The fertile florets retain their lime green color, while the sterile white florets become tinged with pink as they age. Blooming from midsummer to fall, the unusual but charming blossoms contrast nicely with the foliage of ovate, serrated leaves. Vigorous, 'Greenspire' can develop into a big bush and is particularly suitable for large gardens.

Incredibly popular, Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' is a robust, upright, and spreading deciduous shrub boasting huge, luxuriant conical flowers, up to 6-12 in. long (15-30 cm). Held upright on sturdy stems, they are well distributed, making a very attractive plant and display. As an added bonus, they change color as they mature, gradually turning from lime-green to creamy white in late summer to a rich, deep pink before finally fading to beige in fall. As the flower show fades, the oval, dark green leaves turn to lovely shades of red for a breathtaking autumn display. Persisting well into winter, the panicles provide additional winter interest.

Noted for its spectacular flower heads, Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom' features immense, dense conical flowers, up to 15 in. (37 cm), atop strong, stiff stems that do not flop. Opening creamy white with some lime green flushing in midsummer, the florets turn soft to deep pink as fall approaches. The blossoms stand out well against the foliage of oval, yellow-green leaves. Strong, easy to care and long-lived, this ornamental shrub is perfect to create a very showy flowering effect. Fabulous cut flowers.

One of the latest hydrangeas to bloom, Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva' features upright, sharply pointed, conical panicles with the bulk of their sterile flowers loosely packed near their base. Showy, the white, sterile flowers slowly turn purplish-pink as they mature. Blooming profusely from late summer to fall, the charming blossoms contrast nicely with the foliage of ovate, serrated, dark green leaves, which turns yellow to purple-tinged in the fall. Vigorous, 'Tardiva' can develop into a big bush and is a real gem in the late summer garden where its magnificent fountain of blooms extends the season interest of the mixed border.

Perfect for adding late summer color to the shrub border, Hydrangea paniculata 'Vanille Fraise' features loose, fluffy, pyramid-shaped flower heads at the tips of gracefully arching branches in summer. Opening creamy white in mid-summer, the florets turn to strawberry-pink as they age, before finally taking on rich pinkish-red tones as fall approaches. The large blossoms retain their red color for 3-4 weeks prior to turning brown. Strong, easy to care and long-lived, this ornamental shrub is perfect to create a very showy flowering effect.

Noted for its glorious flower heads, Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky® features massive, dense, conical, bicolored flowers, up to 12 in. (30 cm), atop strong, purplish-red stems that do not flop. Opening lime green in midsummer, the sterile florets turn white before quickly changing to deep pink as the season progresses. Held upright, the spicy scented blossoms stand out well against the foliage of oval, yellow-green leaves. Strong, easy to care and long-lived, this ornamental shrub is perfect to create a very showy flowering effect. Panicles may be cut for fresh arrangements or for drying or may be left on the plant where they will persist well into winter.

Noted for its distinct, boldly lobed leaves and very showy blooms, award-winner Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen' (Oak Leaf Hydrangea) is a deciduous shrub which provides a long season of interest. Named after the shape of its beautiful leaves, this Oak Leaf Hydrangea features dense, conical flower heads, up to 8 in. (20 cm), packed with large, white ray florets taking on delightful pink tinges as fall approaches. The blossoms are not excessively large, and they remain upright. In the fall, the foliage of deeply lobed, oak-like leaves, turns bronze-purple to red. A fabulous Hydrangea to be used as a garden focal point or combined with other shrubs or perennials.

Noted for its distinct, boldly lobed leaves and superb double-flowered blooms, award-winner Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake' (Oak Leaf Hydrangea) is a vigorous deciduous shrub that provides interest almost all year round. Named after the shape of its beautiful leaves, this Oak Leaf Hydrangea features large, arching, conical flower heads, up to 12 in. (30 cm), packed with double blossoms layered on top of one another. On display from late spring to midsummer, the long-lasting grapes of creamy-white flowers gradually turn rosy-pink as they mature. In the fall, the foliage of deeply lobed, oak-like leaves, turns bronze, crimson or burgundy (if planted in a sunny location with a little afternoon shade). In the winter, the rich brown exfoliating bark becomes a real center of attraction. A fabulous Hydrangea to be used as a garden focal point or combined with other shrubs or perennials.

Native to the Eastern United States, Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) is a widely branched deciduous shrub, acclaimed for its creamy-white flower clusters that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden. Blooming profusely from early summer to fall, the distinctly domed to nearly rounded blossoms open lime-green and change to brilliant creamy-white before switching to a tan shade in the fall. The foliage of broad egg-shaped, sharply toothed, dark green leaves turns butter-yellow shades in fall, extending the season of interest of this magnificent flowering shrub.

Native to Japan, Hydrangea macrophylla (Big Leaf Hydrangea) is one of the most popular hydrangeas in our gardens. This deciduous shrub features a rounded habit, large bold leaves, and attractive clusters of long-blooming summer flowers. The species is divided into two groups: the Mophead Hydrangeas with large rounded flower heads, mostly packed with showy sterile florets, and the Lacecap Hydrangeas with flattened flower clusters composed of showy sterile florets radiating around a central cluster of tiny fertile florets. Mophead flowers will bloom on and on through summer, between 3-6 months, until fall approaches, and they change color. Lacecap flowers will fade much faster, remaining superb for about one month. Perfect from foundation plantings to container plantings. Massed in a sheltered location or as an accent plant. Effective as a hedge, they make excellent cut flowers too! Perfect for seaside gardens as their tough, glossy leaves allow them to withstand wind or salt. USDA 6-9

Native to China and Japan, Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea) is a deservedly popular deciduous shrub. Tough, cold-hardy, easy-care, long-lived, it is laden with large, conical, snowy flowers from midsummer to fall. As an added bonus, they change color as fall approaches, gradually turning pink, and ultimately brown. Persisting well into winter, the panicles provide additional winter interest. As the flower show fades, the oval, dark green leaves turn to lovely shades of red for a breathtaking fall display. Panicle Hydrangeas are reliable bloomers as they form their flowers buds in spring on the tips of the new growth. Therefore cold winters will not spoil their blossoms. They require a few hours of direct sunlight to flower best and are not fussy about the soil type. Perfect for the shrub or mixed border, wonderful planted as a flowering hedge, excellent backdrop for your favorite perennials. USDA 3-8

Native to the United States, Hydrangea quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea) is a very handsome and versatile deciduous shrub that provides a spectacular show all year round. Named after the shape of its beautiful leaves, it produces a profusion of magnificent grapes of creamy-white flowers, up to 12 in. (30 cm), in late spring and early summer. Lasting about 3-4 weeks, the elongated flower clusters gradually turn pink as fall approaches. In fall, the foliage of deeply lobed, oak-like leaves steals the show by turning bronze, crimson, or burgundy, making this flowering shrub one of the most attractive shrubs for the fall garden. As the leaves fall, they expose the rich brown exfoliating bark. Best in partial shade in hot summer areas but they tolerate full sun in cooler, moist climates. It is a great candidate for mass plantings, hedges, and mixed shrub borders, as a backdrop or accent plant. USDA 5-9

Native to Japan and Korea, Hydrangea serrata (Mountain Hydrangea) is a deciduous shrub of rounded habit with delicate lacecap flowers with flattened clusters from early to late summer. Reminiscent of the Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), it is however more refined in habit and its flowers and leaves are smaller. Borne in great quantity, the elegant blossoms of some cultivars have the wonderful habit of changing color 3 to 4 times per season, a captivating process that will prevent your summer garden from becoming boring. Mountain Hydrangeas are vulnerable to cold but less susceptible to spring frosts than their mopheaded cousins. They prefer part shade but tolerate full sun if grown with consistently moist soils. Perfect from foundation plantings to container plantings. USDA 6-9