The Hardiest Hydrangea Varieties That’ll Thrive in Your Growing Zone

Find out which hydrangea varieties survive cold winters and hot summers.

Hydrangeas have been a tried-and-true garden mainstay, providing long-lasting blooms from summer into fall throughout most of the U.S.. But some hydrangea varieties tend to do better in certain growing zones, where they can stand up better to the heat, cold, or dry conditions.

Related: Hydrangea Care, From Planting to Making Bouquets

Ready to choose the perfect winter-hardy hydrangea variety for your garden? Consider these expert tips for finding a plant that'll thrive for years to come.

Meet Our Expert

• Lorraine Ballato , master gardener and author of Success With Hydrangeas, A Gardener's Guide
  
• Katie Tamony , chief marketing officer and trend spotter at Monrovia

Hydrangea Varieties 101

There's more variety to the hydrangea plant than you might expect—with differences in bloom shape and color, leaf size and shape, and growth.

Most hydrangea varieties can tolerate the growing conditions in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, which covers most of the continental U.S. states, from Maine down into parts of Florida. Here are a few winter-hardy hydrangea varieties to consider.

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Macrophylla)

Bigleaf hydrangea are broken into two different varieties—the hortensias (or mopheads) that have ball-shaped bloom clusters, and the lacecaps, which have flatter blooms. Bigleaf hydrangea need plenty of water to thrive, so they don't do well in drier climates.

Popular varieties: Endless Summer, Blushing Bride, Nikko Blue

Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea Arborescens)

Smooth hydrangea is another hardy variety that does particularly well in cooler climates. It's known for its snow-white blooms, but newer varietals offer shades of pink, red, and purple.

Popular varieties: Incrediball, Invincibelle, Annabelle

Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea Paniculata)

One of the hardiest and most low-maintenance varieties of hydrangea around, the panicle hydrangea (AKA peegee hydrangea) is known for their grand, cone-shaped blooms. The flowers change color from white or creamy shades to reds and blushes as fall approaches. Panicle hydrangea can tolerate more sunshine than most other varieties.

Popular varieties: Limelight, Vanilla Strawberry, Quick Fire, Bobo

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Quercifolia)

The common name for this hydrangea, the oakleaf, is pretty obvious if you look at it—rather than the football-shaped leaves of most hydrangea plants, the leaves of the hydrangea quercifolia are lobed like oak leaves. The flowers begin as white, but turn pink or red as the season goes on.

Popular varieties: Ruby Slippers, Snow Queen, Gatsby

Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea Serrata)

One of the more unexpected varieties of hydrangea, the mountain hydrangea features pretty flat "lacecap" blooms, and can grow quickly to fill in your landscape. Mountain hydrangea can handle more sun than some other varieties, but only if it's paired with moist soil. Mountain hydrangea grow better in warmer zones, from 6 to 9.

Popular varieties: Blue Billow, Tuff Stuff, Beni-Gaku

Related: Fall Is the Perfect Time to Plant Hydrangeas—Here's How to Care for Yours

Hardy Hydrangeas for Colder Growing Zones

The northern parts of the U.S. (hardiness zones 3 to 6) are more prone to snow and cold wintry weather, which can damage same hydrangeas.

The best hydrangeas for colder climates are the ones that bloom on new wood, Ballato says. "They're impervious to winter wildlife nibbling, cold temps, and bad pruning practices ." She suggests using smooth hydrangea and panicle hydrangeas in colder hardiness zones due to the fact that they bloom on new wood.

Be cautious in particular about bigleaf varieties—even if they're considered cold-hardy hydrangeas, they may not produce the look you want. "The plant rating for hardiness usually does not carry through to the bud-bearing stems, " Ballato says.

Related: Hydrangea Not Blooming? Here's What to Do to Bring the Flowers Back

Tamony recommends both panicle hydrangeas and smooth hydrangeas as cold-hardy options, with some varieties, like Bar Harbor and Seaside Serenade, cold-tolerant into Zone 3.

Hardy Hydrangeas for Hot and Dry Growing Zones

Hydrangea plants may need smarter placement and care to thrive in hotter and drier growing zones. "A great deal depends on cultural conditions, like soil and light," Ballato says. "If your plant is sited correctly according to its needs, and has the right soil composition, drought is less impactful." That means looking for a spot that has morning sun and afternoon shade, to protect your hydrangea from the worst of the heat.

Oakleaf hydrangea tend to be the most drough-tolerant varieties. But once they're properly established, smooth and panicle hydrangea can tolerate a short dry or hot period, Tamony says.

The mountain hydrangeas tend to do well in warmer climates, but require steady moisture to thrive.

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