When Do Hydrangeas Bloom? A Seasonal Guide to Their Flowering Times

Thanks to plant breeding, many varieties of hydrangeas are now available at garden centers. But when do hydrangeas bloom so you can know when to expect their stunning blooms in your garden? These popular shrubs vary in size, color, hardiness, and yes, bloom time.

Looking for a pop of color for late spring? There’s a hydrangea for that. Maybe you need structure and early fall blooms? There’s a hydrangea for that, too. Add a few different varieties of these easy-to-grow shrubs to your landscape and you can enjoy an abundance of long-lasting blooms almost year-round. This seasonal guide will help you figure out when different types of hydrangeas bloom.

Hydrangeas bloom in spring

You can count on large-leaved and oak-leaf hydrangeas in warmer climates to start blooming in late spring. Camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, lilacs, and many other woody plants provide flower power in the early days of spring when these hydrangeas are just beginning to send out new leaves and buds. In cold, snowy winters, hydrangeas don’t begin blooming until summer, but if you’re gardening in USDA zones 7-11, plant these hydrangeas for spring blooms.

Largeleaf hydrangeas.

Largeleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) have large, bright flowers in shades of pink or blue. Largeleaf varieties are among the most delicate hydrangea shrubs. Expect to begin blooming in late spring. They bloom earlier than other hydrangeas because they form their flower buds the previous year. The delicate flower buds form in winter—provided winter temperatures aren’t too low—and bloom several weeks before the popular large-flowered hydrangea varieties.

Tip:

Returning hydrangeas are part of the largeleaf group, but many returning varieties don’t produce a large number of flowers until summer.

Growing Notes: Largeleaf hydrangeas grow best in well-drained soil and partial shade. Afternoon shade is essential in hot summer areas. Cool, moist soil is also essential for vigorous growth and large, full blooms. Plant large-leaf hydrangeas at the edge of a forest or on the north or east side of a building to protect them from harsh sun. They are hardy in zones 6-9.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a shade-tolerant North American native with attractive oak-like leaves. The cone-shaped flowers of this large shrub are soft green in mid- to late spring, turning creamy white, pink or rose by midsummer. In zones 5 and 6, oakleaf hydrangeas begin blooming in early summer.

Growing Notes: Plant oakleaf hydrangeas in cool, moist soil in full shade. Some varieties can tolerate full sun more than others. Deer are particularly fond of oakleaf hydrangeas. Do not plant in areas with high deer populations. They are hardy in zones 5-9.

Summer-Blooming Hydrangeas

Summer is a crucial time for many hydrangeas. Spring-blooming varieties often continue to bloom all summer, or their showy blooms take on new highlights as they age. Long-lasting hydrangea blooms translate into bloom windows that last from several weeks to more than three months.

For example, large-leaf hydrangeas begin blooming again in early summer and continue to bloom sporadically until the first frost. Plant summer-blooming hydrangeas the following summer for a bountiful display of blooms in July and August.

Panicle Hydrangea

The panicle hydrangea shrub (Hydrangea paniculata) is one of the most popular flowering shrubs. It blooms in early summer, and its long-lasting, robust blooms change from one color to another as the season progresses. For example, 'Little Quickfire' (shown here) blooms white and then turns grayish pink, light pink, and red toward the end of summer.

Growing Notes: Plant Nori hydrangeas in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade in zones 7 and 8. In zones 3 through 6, they can tolerate full sun. Moist, well-drained soil is best. They are hardy in zones 3-8.

Reblooming Hydrangea

Reblooming hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are specially selected varieties of large-leaved hydrangeas that bloom on new stems produced during the growing season. Traditional large-leaved hydrangeas bloom on stems produced the previous year. Reblooming hydrangeas should be fertilized to produce new blooms every two weeks from early summer until frost. Fertilizer encourages good growth.

Growing Notes: Plant repetition flowering hydrangeas in partial shade or full sun in well-drained soil. Apply a granular fertilizer around Endless Summer and other repetition flowering varieties when the ground thaws in spring and again in late spring. Water regularly for vigorous growth. They are hardy in zones 5-9.

Soft Hydrangea.

The soft, delicate flower heads give soft hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) a casual look. The flowers are initially green, then turn white, and finally light brown. One of the most popular soft hydrangeas is 'Annabelle,' shown here. Give the plants room to spread, and they will produce a flush of flowers and foliage.

Growing Notes: Plant in full shade and well-drained soil. Soft hydrangea flowers spread through underground stems and slowly form colonies. Harvest the flowers in early summer, and the plant will bloom again in the fall. They are hardy in zones 3-9.

Fall-Blooming Hydrangeas

Repeat-blooming and soft hydrangeas will bloom with new flowers until the first frost in the fall. Dry conditions and summer heat can slow the growth of these hardy plants. When rainfall is irregular, encourage them to continue blooming by watering them deeply once a week. Resist the urge to fertilize. Fertilizing hydrangeas in late summer can result in new growth that is soft and susceptible to winter injury.

Winter Sentence

Hydrangeas with oak leaves and inflorescences do not produce new blooms in the fall and winter, but their flowering power continues. Summer blooms change colors as the season progresses, finally turning gray in late fall. The bold, long-lasting flower heads remain strong against wind, snow, and ice to decorate the landscape until next spring.