Many believe that “hydrangea hysteria” erupted in 2004 with the debut of the reblooming bigleaf hydrangea, ‘Bailmer,’ now known by its trade name of Endless Summer® The Original. Since this mophead hydrangea cultivar entered the marketplace, the interest in bigleaf hydrangeas skyrocketed, especially remontant or reblooming types. This frenzy to produce bigger-flowered, smaller-statured, more floriferous hydrangeas led to the introduction of hundreds of Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars.
‘Générale Vicomtesse de Vibraye’ on May 24, 2023 in John Elsley’s Greenwood, SC garden. Introduced in 1909 by Emile Mouillere, a famous hydrangea breeder in Vendôme, France, this mophead hydrangea produces flower buds at its tips along with dormant flower buds further down the lengths of its stems. Flowers are guaranteed even if unexpected spring freezes damage the early terminal flowers.
Photo Credit: John Elsley
This frenzy continued with our native, white-flowered smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens). Besides the introduction of various shades of pink, some new cultivars have flowers that resemble mophead hydrangeas. Their showy sterile flowers outnumber the tiny, fertile pollen and nectar-rich flowers.
Even the often maligned panicled or PeeGee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) drew the attention of plant breeders. They looked past its gawky, gangly stature (15 to 25 feet high and 10 to 20 feet wide) and homed in on its large mid-summer white panicles, preference for full sun, and tolerance to drought. Their breeding efforts led to a wide range of unique award-winning celebrities such as ‘Limelight’ and ILVOBO Bobo® PP22,782.
In the near future, I hope breeders will turn their attention to oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). This loveable native understory shrub produces conelike panicles of flowers in late spring and outrageously opulent fall color.
Despite all of these contenders vying for a spot in your landscape, the beloved bigleaf hydrangea reigns supreme. There are mopheads with cabbage-sized blooms and dainty, more refined-looking lacecaps with flattened, disk-shaped inflorescences.
The hydrangeas mentioned in this article will adorn your garden with color from May to October and will always give you an excuse to go outside for a spell. Of course, if the heat and humidity are not to your liking, you can always enjoy them as cut flowers indoors.
For more information, see HGIC 1067, Hydrangea.
