Hydrangea: Blooms the Size of Your Head
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangeas deliver oversized, soft flower heads in blues, pinks, purples, and whites. The famous color-shift trick — acidic soil for blue, alkaline for pink — still fascinates gardeners. Plant once, enjoy for decades.
Specifications
- Sun
- Part sun
- Water
- High
- Hardiness zones
- 5–9
- Height
- 3–6 ft
- Bloom time
- Summer
Care & growing tips
Plant in morning sun with afternoon shade. Keep consistently moist — hydrangeas wilt dramatically in dry soil. For blue flowers, amend soil with aluminum sulfate. For pink, add garden lime. Prune depending on species — know whether yours blooms on old or new wood.
Companion plants
03Find hydrangea in your zone
05Zone-specific care, planting windows, and alternatives.
Place hydrangea in your real yard
Upload a photo and Arden visualizes full garden designs featuring hydrangea alongside companion plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Why are my hydrangeas not blooming?
Usually one of: pruning at the wrong time, too much shade, late frost on buds, or excess nitrogen fertilizer. Check your cultivar's bloom-wood type and adjust.
02 How do I change hydrangea color?
Only bigleaf hydrangeas change color. Acidic soil (pH <6) gives blue; alkaline (pH >7) gives pink. Takes a full season to shift.
03 Why are my hydrangea leaves wilting even though I watered?
Hydrangeas wilt dramatically in afternoon heat even with moist soil — it's often cosmetic and they recover overnight. But persistent wilt after evening means real drought stress. Water deeply and mulch to retain moisture.