Hydrangea Plants

One of the UK’s most-loved flowering shrubs, hydrangeas are known for their huge, showy blooms and long flowering season – brilliant for adding colour and structure to your garden. This collection includes tall and large hydrangea plants, compact types for pots, and climbing varieties.

You’ll also find classic favourites in pink, blue, and white. (Fun fact: blue and pink hydrangeas can change colour depending on your soil’s pH - acidic soil brings out the blue.)

Whether you're planting in borders, refreshing a pot, or growing up a trellis, you’ll find hydrangeas here that are hardy, reliable, and well-suited to British gardens.

Why Choose a Hydrangea?

Big colour, long season

Hydrangeas start flowering in late spring and often continue into autumn. Their large flowerheads add real impact – whether you’re planting a single showstopper or filling a border.

Climbers, shrubs, or pots

From statement-sized shrubs to smaller potted plants and climbing hydrangeas, there’s a variety for every garden layout.

Low maintenance

Once planted, most hydrangeas just need watering in dry weather and a bit of pruning at the right time of year. They’re tough, resilient plants that reward you with year after year of flowers.

Suited to UK gardens

Hydrangeas do brilliantly in British conditions – including partial shade and heavier soils. Colour can even shift depending on soil pH, giving you pink or blue tones depending on where you plant.

Varieties Available

Hydrangeas come in several groups, each with its own look and growth habit. These options help you choose a shrub that suits your soil, shade, and garden style.

  • Mophead Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): Rounded blooms in pinks, purples, whites, and blues that brighten borders and containers. Includes favourites such as Bouquet Rose, Alpengluhen, and Nikko Blue.
  • Panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): Cone-shaped flowers that start pale and deepen to pink or red through late summer. Examples are Wim's Red and similar varieties.
  • Climbing Hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris): They are a gentle way to soften walls, fences, or shady corners. Includes Hydrangea Petiolaris for shaded structures.
  • Special and Premium Hydrangeas: These are for gardeners who enjoy unusual foliage or standout bloom shapes. They include Cloud Nine, Hot Chocolate, Runaway Bride, and other unique forms.

Seasonal Interest: How Hydrangeas Change Through the Year

Hydrangeas give colour across the warmer months, and knowing how they shift through the seasons helps you choose the right spot for each variety.

  • Spring: Fresh buds form as temperatures rise and stems begin to leaf out.
  • Early Summer: Blooms start to open, with mophead hydrangeas showing their first strong colour.
  • Late Summer: Flower colour deepens, paniculata hydrangeas turn pink or red, and shrubs reach their fullest shape.
  • Autumn: Fading flowers take on soft mauve or bronze tones that add warm structure to the garden.
  • Winter: Stems rest while the plant stores energy for the next cycle; spent blooms can be left for frost interest.

How to Choose and Grow Hydrangea Plants

Choosing a hydrangea plant is often about the shape and flower style you enjoy as well as the planting space you have available. Mophead hydrangeas suit borders and containers, paniculata hydrangeas grow well in brighter areas, and climbing hydrangeas offer the chance to green a wall with ease.

  • Place hydrangeas in partial shade to keep colours bright and foliage healthy
  • Use compost rich in organic matter to support moisture and root growth
  • Keep soil lightly moist, allowing good drainage
  • Adjust soil pH if you want blue flowers; acidic soil brings out cooler tones
  • Prune hydrangeas at the correct time for the variety to encourage new flowering stems
  • Mulch in early spring to lock in moisture
  • Protect young growth from late frost
  • Repot container hydrangeas when roots reach the edge of the pot
  • Remove spent blooms gently to tidy the plant without damaging new buds

Our Quality Promise and UK Delivery

Hydrangea shrubs in this collection are selected with garden success in mind. Each plant is checked for healthy stems, strong roots, and fresh compost before being packed for delivery. Our team prepares every order by hand, using packaging designed to protect the blooms and foliage during transit.

  • Reliable UK delivery with careful handling
  • Plants selected for strength and long-term growth
  • Packaging designed to prevent damage during travel
  • Friendly support for anyone new to growing hydrangeas

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the type. Mophead hydrangeas are usually pruned in spring, while paniculata varieties can be trimmed in late winter.
Both work well. Hydrangeas grow happily in containers as long as the compost stays moist and the pot drains well.
Most Hydrangea macrophylla varieties respond to soil acidity. Blue tones appear in acidic soil, while pink tones show in alkaline or neutral soil.
They thrive in partial shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch.
Most reach between one and two metres, though some paniculata varieties grow taller, and climbing hydrangeas can cover large walls.
Avoid plants that prefer very dry soil or heavy root competition. Hostas, ferns, and shade-tolerant perennials pair well.
This may be due to underwatering, strong midday sun, or dry wind. Adding mulch helps maintain even moisture.