Hydrangeas for Every Situation Oakleaf hydrangeas also are natives with hand-sized, pointed leaves and flowers that are cone-shaped instead of round. George Weigel Gardeners usually think of hydrangeas as those rounded shrubs with the softball-sized blue flowers in early summer. However, the “bigleaf” or “mophead” type is the most common in a versatile family of shrubs. Choices are available that grow anywhere from full sun to full shade and that bloom into fall – not just in June. Hydrangea Varieties: Oakleaf: A U.S. native hydrangea that blooms white or pink in early summer. The flowers are cone-shaped instead of round, and the large, hand-sized leaves turn burgundy in fall. Panicle: This type prefers sunnier spots and has large, cone-shaped flowers that morph from white to pink to rusty-rose over three months in late summer to early fall. Panicle hydrangeas have large, cone-shaped flowers that morph from white to rosy-pink in late summer to fall. George Weigel Smooth: Also native to the United States, smooth hydrangeas produce big, white, round flowers that bloom in summer. They’re extremely cold-hardy and grow in sun or shade, including dry-shade settings under big trees. Mountain: These look and grow much like bigleaf hydrangeas, but their flower buds are cold-hardier, making them a good choice for cold-climate gardeners whose bigleaf hydrangeas often don’t flower because winter cold killed them. Common hydrangeas are best known – and loved – for their big, round, blue flowers. George Weigel Hydrangea Tips Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas change flower color depending on soil acidity. In acidic soil (pH of 6 or below), they bloom blue. In alkaline soil, they bloom pink. Prune early-summer bloomers, such as bigleaf, mountain and oakleaf hydrangeas, immediately after they finish flowering in early summer. Prune summer-blooming smooth and panicle types at the end of winter before new growth begins. Some new varieties of bigleaf hydrangeas are rebloomers, meaning they flower in June and again late summer into fall. Fertilize hydrangeas in early spring and early fall with an organic-rich, balanced, granular fertilizer.