The Complete Hydrangea Guide 🌿 Types, Pruning, Sun & Blooming Explained

Master hydrangea identification and pruning with our complete guide to the five main types grown in North America. Whether you are pruning panicle hydrangeas in Zone 6a or wondering why your hydrangeas aren't blooming, we’re breaking down the science and design behind these garden favorites. We're Eric and Christopher of Grow For Me Gardening, and we've grown more than 200 hydrangeas in our own garden. In this comprehensive guide, we explain how to identify hydrangea types, the critical difference between old wood vs. new wood, and how to prune correctly so you don't accidentally cut off your blooms. We also share how we use hydrangeas in garden design, from structure and screening to seasonal color. 🌳 Jump to a specific section: 00:00 Intro: Our Hydrangea Philosophy 00:54 Panicle hydrangea identification (H. paniculata) 03:44 Smooth hydrangea identification (H. arborescens) 05:25 Bigleaf hydrangea identification (H. macrophylla) 08:05 Mountain hydrangea identification (H. serrata) 10:14 Oakleaf hydrangea identification (H. quercifolia) 13:15 Old wood vs new wood hydrangeas explained 17:00 How to prune panicle hydrangeas 18:50 How to prune smooth hydrangeas 19:55 How to prune bigleaf, mountain, and oakleaf hydrangeas 21:17 Designing with panicle hydrangeas 22:24 Designing with smooth hydrangeas 23:14 Designing with bigleaf hydrangeas 24:04 Designing with mountain hydrangeas 25:14 Designing with oakleaf hydrangeas 26:15 Why is my hydrangea not blooming? 27:50 Can hydrangeas grow in full sun? 28:12 Why isn't my hydrangea blue? (Soil pH & Color) 29:27 How much water do hydrangeas need? 31:05 When should I plant hydrangeas? 32:37 Can I grow hydrangeas in pots? 34:02 Why are my hydrangea leaves yellow? In this guide, we answer the biggest questions gardeners ask: Can hydrangeas grow in full sun or part shade? Do hydrangeas need a lot of water? We cover everything from hydrangeas in pots and winter protection to the best hydrangeas for small spaces. Whether you're working with Hydrangea paniculata, macrophylla, or quercifolia, we hope our experience helps you feel more confident in your garden. 🌸 The Hydrangea Handbook is now available! If you’d like a simple visual guide to identifying, pruning, and designing with hydrangeas, download our digital handbook here: https://growformegardening.com/product/eric-christophers-hydrangea-handbook/ Limited-time bonus: Every purchase currently includes our Hydrangea Garden Planning Worksheets free with download. 🌿 Join the conversation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growformegardening 🌳 Thanks for growing with us! @provenwinners @pwcolorchoice #hydrangeas #hydrangeacare #hydrangeapruning #paniclehydrangea #oakleafhydrangea #bigleafhydrangea #mountainhydrangea #smoothhydrangea #gardendesign #gardentips #zone6garden #growformegardening