Some varieties perform best in part shade, but others can profit from a bit more sunlight. A most intriguing fact about hydrangeas is that, with some types, a single plant can bear either pink or blue flowers, depending upon the soil in which it’s growing.

Hydrangea is a large genus containing more than 70 species, but only a handful are commonly grown as landscape plants. Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): These deciduous shrubs have a rounded habit and typically grow 3–6 feet high, with large, serrated leaves that are oval or elliptical. The long-blooming flowers that appear in summer are either “lacecap” in form, with flattened flower clusters, or “mophead,” with globe-shaped flower heads. The color-changing wonders of the hydrangea world hail from the bigleaf group. These shrubs produce flowers that are pink in alkaline soils and blue in acidic soils. Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): These deciduous shrubs are considerably larger than bigleaf or smooth hydrangeas, sometimes growing as much as 15 feet high if not kept pruned. The flower clusters, blooming in late summer, have a distinctive cone shape, not the round balls seen on other types. Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia): These are upright, multistemmed shrubs growing 6–8 feet high with large lobed leaves that resemble those of an oak tree. The flowers, ranging from white to purplish-pink, appear in late spring to midsummer. Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris): These are deciduous woody vines with a sprawling habit. They can grow as long as 50 feet, with serrated leaves and white, flat-topped flower clusters that appear in early summer. This species clings easily to any structure or will ramble over the ground as a ground cover plant. Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens): These are quite similar in appearance to the bigleaf hydrangea, but the leaves of this group are smoother in texture. Smallish shrubs, rarely growing more than 5 feet high, these very cold-hardy plants have an exceptionally long bloom period. Here are nine gorgeous hydrangea types to beautify your summer yard.

Native Area: Eastern United StatesUSDA Growing Zones: 6–9Height: 4–6 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: Eastern U.S.USDA Growing Zones: 5–9Height: 2–3 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: Eastern U.S.USDA Growing Zones: 6–9Height: 2 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: Eastern and southern China, JapanUSDA Growing Zones: 3–8Height: 10–25 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Native Area: Eastern and southern China, JapanUSDA Growing Zones: 3–8Height: 30–36 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Native Area: Eastern and southern China, JapanUSDA Growing Zones: 5–9Height: 6–8 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: Japan; Sakhalin, Russia; Korea; TaiwanUSDA Growing Zones: 4–8Height: 30–50 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 3–9Height: 3–4 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

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Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 3–9Height: 4–5 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade