The question, “When do hydrangeas bloom?” is trickier to answer than it seems. While most hydrangeas flower between late spring and early fall, different types of hydrangeas have different bloom times and some varieties flower much earlier than others.
Climate, weather patterns, pruning, and plant care techniques can also influence hydrangea flowering and cause plants to bloom earlier, later, or not at all. The tips below will help you pinpoint exactly when your hydrangeas will bloom and teach you how to make hydrangeas flower more abundantly.
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Hydrangeas are one of the most beloved flowering shrubs grown in gardens across North America. Known for their large, showy flower heads, hydrangeas provide stunning color and interest to the landscape for months at a time. But when exactly are hydrangeas in bloom? The answer depends on the type of hydrangea.
Overview of Hydrangea Seasons
As a general rule most hydrangeas flower from mid-spring through late summer or early fall. However bloom times can vary considerably depending on the species and cultivar.
There are three main categories of hydrangea bloom seasons:
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Spring-blooming – Flowers emerge in late spring. Examples include bigleaf, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangeas.
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Summer-blooming – Flowers emerge in early to mid summer Examples include smooth and panicle hydrangeas
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Reblooming – Flowers emerge sporadically from early summer to fall. Examples include Endless Summer® and other reblooming bigleaf cultivars.
Beyond species differences, other factors like climate, weather patterns, pruning, and care can also affect when hydrangeas bloom. Now let’s explore bloom seasons for specific hydrangea types.
Spring-Blooming Hydrangeas
Bigleaf Hydrangeas
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) produce large, colorful blooms in shades of pink, blue, or purple. In warm climates, bigleaf hydrangeas begin flowering in late spring, typically May to early June. Further north, bloom may start closer to mid-summer depending on winter temperatures and spring warmth.
Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood meaning the flower buds are set on stems that grew the previous year. Protecting these stems from winter damage helps ensure good spring flowering. Popular bigleaf cultivars like ‘Nikko Blue’ and ‘Endless Summer’ bring welcome color to the spring garden.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are prized for their bold foliage and cone-shaped blooms that transform from white to pink. Native to the southeastern U.S., oakleaf hydrangeas start blooming in late spring in Zones 7-9, often with camellias and azaleas. In cooler climates, bloom may start closer to early summer.
Like bigleaf hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas set their flower buds on old wood. Providing winter protection allows flower buds to withstand cold weather and open properly in spring.
Climbing Hydrangeas
Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala) are vines that can grow up to 80 feet. Flat, lacy white flowers emerge in late spring to early summer, followed by gorgeous fall foliage. This plant flowers on old wood. Pruning should be done soon after blooming finishes to allow new growth time to harden off before winter.
Climbing hydrangea thrives in shade and brings classically-shaped hydrangea blooms to trellises, fences, and arbors.
Summer-Blooming Hydrangeas
While spring-blooming hydrangeas flower early in the season, other types wait until the summer heat arrives to put on their show.
Smooth Hydrangeas
Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) are known for their enormous, spherical flower heads that can measure up to a foot across! Native to eastern North America, smooth hydrangeas bloom in early summer, often June. Flower color evolves from green to bright white as blooms mature.
Popular smooth hydrangea cultivars include ‘Annabelle’ and the dwarf ‘Incrediball’. These plants flower on new wood so can be pruned in late winter to control size.
Panicle Hydrangeas
Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) produce conical, pyramid-shaped blooms that transform in color over the season. Flowering starts in mid to late summer, June through August depending on variety.
‘Limelight’ and ‘Little Lime’ panicle hydrangeas open with green blooms that change to white, then pink or red. Others like ‘Quick Fire’ and ‘Little Quick Fire’ flower earlier in summer with blooms that turn deep red.
Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood so can be pruned judiciously in late winter to encourage vigorous new growth that will flower abundantly.
Reblooming Hydrangeas
Reblooming hydrangeas provide the longest season of color, flowering sporadically from early summer through fall frosts. These bigleaf hydrangea cultivars like Endless Summer® and Twist-n-Shout® produce flowers on both old and new wood. This allows them to flower first on old stems in early summer, take a short break, then flower again on new growth into fall.
Deadheading spent blooms encourages reblooming varieties to continue pushing out new flowers. Well-established plants may produce blooms nonstop from June through October! Reblooming ability can vary greatly depending on climate. Hot summer areas may see more continuous blooms while cooler climates have more distinct early and late season flower flushes.
Caring for Hydrangeas Through the Seasons
To keep your hydrangeas flowering happily during their bloom season and beyond, provide proper care all year long:
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Spring – Apply mulch and prune dead stems on varieties that bloom on new wood.
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Summer – Water during drought and deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
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Fall – Leave fading flowers on oakleaf and panicle hydrangeas for winter interest.
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Winter – Protect flower buds from harsh weather. Avoid excess pruning.
With some planning and personalized care, you can have hydrangeas gracing your garden spring through fall!
Extending the Hydrangea Season with Cut Flowers
Another way to enjoy hydrangeas for months on end is to bring them indoors as cut flowers. Bigleaf, oakleaf, and lacecap hydrangea blooms can often last 2-3 weeks or more in a vase with proper care. Smooth hydrangeas dry beautifully for floral crafts and arrangements.
Cut hydrangeas once the flowers are fully open for maximum vase life. Place immediately in water and remove any leaves below the water line. Re-cut stem ends and replace the water to keep blooms looking their best. Display out of direct sun for longest enjoyment of your hydrangea bounty.
The Takeaway
While hydrangea bloom times vary widely, you can enjoy their gorgeous flowers for months by growing a mix of types. Extend the floral display even longer by cutting hydrangeas to decorate inside. With their diversity, versatility, and long bloom seasons, it’s easy to see why hydrangeas are one of the most beloved flowering shrubs!
When Do Hydrangeas Bloom?
When hydrangeas will bloom largely depends on the types of hydrangeas you’re growing. Hydrangea varieties that bloom on old wood typically flower in spring or summer, while hydrangea varieties that bloom on new wood usually flower from summer to early fall. There are also reblooming hydrangeas that flower repeatedly throughout the growing season.
Hydrangeas that flower on old wood include climbing hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, and bigleaf hydrangeas like mophead, lacecap, and mountain hydrangeas. These plants bloom early in the year and typically flower from May to July.
On the other hand, panicle hydrangeas and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood and generally flower from June to September. These late bloomers are the stars of fall gardens and their dried flowers can remain on the plant through winter.
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What to Know About Hydrangea Growing Season
One important thing to note about hydrangeas is that old wood hydrangeas don’t just flower earlier than new wood hydrangeas—they also produce flower buds much earlier too.
While new wood hydrangea buds form when the plant begins growing in spring, old wood hydrangeas produced their flower buds during the previous growing season. Old wood hydrangea buds generally form in summer to fall after the plant stops flowering, and those buds remain on the plant through winter.
Pruning old wood hydrangeas before they flower in spring can remove flower buds and leave you with bloom-less hydrangeas. To avoid this, only prune old wood hydrangeas immediately after they flower and before plants produce new buds. Pruning times are more flexible with new wood hydrangeas, but they’re typically pruned when the plants are dormant in winter.
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What month do hydrangeas flower?
FAQ
What month do hydrangeas bloom?
Hydrangeas generally bloom from late spring through fall, with specific bloom times varying by variety. Bigleaf, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangeas tend to bloom in late spring/early summer through fall.
What is the best time of year to buy hydrangeas?
The ideal time is spring, once the danger of frost has passed, followed by autumn in most areas.
What is the 1/3 rule for hydrangeas?
What season are hydrangeas in season?
The summer is prime time to see beautiful hydrangeas in bloom. With a wide variety of foliage size, bloom color, shape, and bloom time, from sun-loving varieties to those that prefer shade, there is a hydrangea to suit every taste in any garden.