Many of us have garden plants that we find particularly appealing, and hydrangeas are among our favorites. They beckon gardeners to come and relax in the cool shade. Several types of hydrangeas can color the garden and are a group of plants that belong in every landscape.
Four main categories of hydrangeas grow in Southern gardens. The first is the big leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). This group is made up of the old “mophead” hydrangeas.
Lacecap hydrangeas are also included in this group. This group is one of the most popular and includes many old pink and blue varieties. Nikko Blue is an improved variety in this group.
The second group is categorized by the botanical name (Hydrangea arborescens). This group includes Annabelle hydrangea, the 1995 Georgia Gold Medal-winning shrub. Two ladies were riding horseback near Anna, Ill.
, when they discovered this hydrangea. Annabelle is a June-July flowering shrub with huge white blooms. It is perfect for shady garden areas, where it really brightens up the landscape.
The third hydrangea group is the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). This includes the oakleaf hydrangeas native to our area. They are known for their coarse oak-like foliage.
They bear white flowers during the summer months and grow well in dryer locations. If oakleaf hydrangeas get morning sun and a little afternoon shade, they will develop nice, burgundy-colored foliage with the arrival of autumn. The Pee Gee hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculate) make u.