White hydrangeas are favorites of professional landscapers and ornamental gardeners, and for good reasons: they grow easily, are dependable, and are floriferous. Their vibrant flowers and large sizes make them wonderful additions to any floral display. Though flowering hydrangea bushes in bright shades of purple, blue, and pink are more common, new hydrangea varieties are available in different colors and shapes.
They look glorious beside succulents, trees, and other forms of greenery.
The white-colored hydrangea is the most popular color apart from the traditional hydrangea shades. It creates a fresh new look in any garden.
White Hydrangeas Plant History
White hydrangeas have a lengthy, illustrious history. After being identified for the first time in Japan in the 1700s, the genus Hydrangea soon gained popularity among Asian gardeners and horticulturists. Hydrangeas were first brought to North America and Europe in the 1800s, where they quickly gained popularity as attractive plants.
Particularly white hydrangeas have long been a favorite among gardeners. Natural mutations that have taken place in pink or blue hydrangeas that resulted in white flowers are most likely what caused the first white hydrangeas. Nevertheless, breeders have created fresh white cultivars selectively cultivated for their color and other qualities over time.
The white hydrangea bush is used in burial rites in Japan to symbolize purity and humility and is frequently connected to the Buddhist faith. White hydrangeas are supposed to represent grace, elegance, and sincere feelings in the language of flowers. They frequently give a touch of elegance and beauty to bridal bouquets and other ceremonial arrangements.
Nowadays, gardeners worldwide cultivate and appreciate white hydrangeas. They are a well-liked option for gardens, borders, and pots because of their gorgeous blossoms and simple maintenance requirements. Pink and white hydrangea bush plants are certain to stun and give a touch of beauty to your environment, so you don’t have to reach out for an artificial white hydrangea bush. To appreciate the beauty of white hydrangea shrubs in your yard, look over some tips for gardening and maintenance.
White Hydrangeas Plant Varieties
White hydrangeas are popular flowering bushes known for their large, showy blooms and easy-to-grow nature. They are available in several varieties, each with growing requirements and unique characteristics, including flower size, shape, and color. Whether you’re looking for a classic white hydrangea or a unique variety, a white hydrangea bush plant will suit your garden’s needs. Here are some popular white hydrangea varieties.
Annabelle
The Annabelle variety of hydrangea is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in various climates. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide but is often kept smaller through pruning. It requires partial to full shade and moist and well-drained soil.
This white hydrangea-style flower bush is a popular choice for landscaping and gardening, as they add a touch of elegance and grace to any garden or outdoor space. They can also be used as cut flowers in bouquets or arrangements due to their long-lasting nature and striking appearance.
Incrediball
White Hydrangeas Incrediball is another variety of hydrangea that produces a large white hydrangea bush. This variety is also great to grow because of its hardiness and ability to bloom in various climates.
The Incredible variety of hydrangea is a cultivar of the Annabelle hydrangea, but it produces even larger blooms that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. These sturdy and long-lasting blooms make them popular for cut flowers and floral arrangements.
White Hydrangeas Incrediball prefers partial to full shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 5 feet tall and wide but can be kept smaller.
Limelight
Unlike the Annabelle and Incrediball varieties, White Hydrangeas Limelight blooms are more cone-shaped and start a soft, lime-green color before turning white in late summer.
The Limelight variety is known for its vigorous growth and ability to tolerate more sun than other hydrangea varieties. This plant can grow up to 8 feet tall and wide but be kept smaller. They prefer well-drained and moist soil and can tolerate some drought. They also tolerate pruning well and can be shaped into a tree form or hedge.
PeeGee
White Hydrangea bush PeeGee, also known as PeeGee Hydrangea or Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, is a type of hydrangea that produces white cone hydrangea bush rather than round.
These blooms can reach up to 12 inches long and are often tinged with pink or green as they age. The PeeGee variety is known for its hardiness and ability to tolerate various conditions, including full sun and drought. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide but can be kept smaller through pruning.
Snow Queen
The Snow Queen variety produces a large, rounded bloom that is pure hydrangea white bush and can reach up to 6 inches in diameter. Unlike other white hydrangea bush varieties, Snow Queen blooms on new wood, meaning it can be pruned back in late winter or early spring without affecting the next year’s flowers.
White Hydrangeas Snow Queen prefers partial shade to full sun and moist soil. They are hardy and resistant plants, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners or those looking for low-maintenance gardening.
White Hydrangea Types
How do you choose the best white hydrangea for your garden? This flower has many varieties, each requiring a specific type of care and/or location to bloom.
Four of the most common types of hydrangeas include:
- Bigleaf (H. macrophylla). This white hydrangea variety is a classic selection of florists. Everyone loves it. However, not everyone can grow it. Bigleaf hydrangeas thrive in locations with partial shade and well-drained soils. Most are hardy up to Zone 5 (or Zone 4 if they are protected well during winter).
- Smooth (H. arborescent). Anabelle is the most popular variety of this type. This white hydrangea variety blooms best when it grows under the sun. Southern gardeners, however, should plant their hydrangeas under partial shade.
- Oakleaf (H. quercifolia). As their name implies, these plants have oak-shaped leaves, which can turn into attention-grabbing colors of orange, rust, or burgundy in autumn. The white flower heads eventually turn tan or pink as the weather cools down. Gardeners who grow this variety of white hydrangeas cultivate them in hardy to Zone 5 conditions in dry soils.
- Panicle (H. paniculate). White panicle hydrangeas produce cone-shaped flowers, which can be tough and easy to grow. These small hydrangeas prefer growing under the sun but can survive in all climates except the coldest ones. Panicles bloom the latest compared to other white hydrangea varieties, usually during the midsummer season.
Planting White Hydrangeas
As with the other plants in your garden, learning the basics of planting can save you time and money. By getting the soil right, planting correctly, and choosing the right location, you’ll increase your chances of enjoying healthy and beautiful white hydrangea blooms for years.
The Best Time to Plant Hydrangeas
Fall is always the best season to plant hydrangeas, followed by early spring. This gives your shrub more time to establish a strong root system before blooming flowers. As for the best time of the day to plant, do it in the late afternoon or early morning. The cooler parts of the day protect your blooms from heat stress.
The Best Soil for White Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas thrive in soils that contain organic material. Also, good drainage is essential. White hydrangeas flourish in moist soils, but waterlogging is never an option. Poor draining soils result in soggy white hydrangeas that have rotting roots. In a few weeks, your flowers will quickly die. Mix plenty of compost to improve soil quality if your soil is heavy.
The Best Planting Location for Hydrangeas
Many gardeners plant their white hydrangeas in beds beside their homes. As mentioned above, hydrangeas are fans of the sun but dislike the afternoon heat.
Plant your hydrangea bush in a sheltered location with shady afternoons and sunny mornings to provide them with the right amount of sunlight. Avoid planting directly under trees. It’s tempting to plant them under trees to get shade; however, there will be competition for nutrients and water.
Once you’ve nailed down the best options for your white hydrangea plants, it’s time to plant them.
Dig the planting holes two feet wider than the root ball to plant hydrangea bushes. The hole’s depth must be consistent with the size of the root ball to ensure the plant sits a bit higher or level with the surrounding soil. A slight mound increases the water drainage away from the plant’s base.
In terms of propagation, the process is a straightforward one. You must dig a small trench near your flower and bend the branch to the trench so the latter will touch the soil. Scratch the bark where the branch comes into contact with the trench. Fill the trench and place a stone, brick, or paver on top. Wait for the branch to develop its root system, which you can plant in another location.
White Hydrangeas Companion Plants
White hydrangeas are beautiful, but pairing them with the right companion plants can create a stunning garden display. Here are some ideas for companion plants that go well with white hydrangeas.
Hostas
These shade-loving plants have a variety of leaf colors and textures that can complement the large, white dome hydrangea bush. They also have an amazing foliage texture, which creates an elegant garden look.
Ferns
Ferns are another plant that prefers shades and can add texture and interest to a garden with white hydrangeas. Their delicate fronds create a beautiful contrast against the hydrangea bush’s white blooms.
Coral Bells
These perennial plants have colorful foliage that can add color to a white hydrangea garden. They come in various colors, including green, purple, and red, and their small bell-shaped flowers can also add interest to the garden.
Bleeding Hearts
These shade-loving plants produce delicate, heart-shaped flowers that can create a romantic and whimsical look in a garden with a white bow hydrangea bush. This is the right combination to create an elegant look and display it in your garden.
Astilbe
These perennials have feathery plumes of flowers that can add a soft, delicate texture to a garden with white hydrangeas. They come in various colors and shades, including white, pink, and red. They also prefer wetter conditions, making them compatible with white hydrangea bushes.
Cornflowers
The blue or pink blooms of cornflowers can complement the white blooms of hydrangeas, creating a beautiful contrast in color. Cornflowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which can also help pollinate the blooms of the hydrangeas.
Don’t forget that when choosing companion plants to grow alongside white hydrangea bush, it’s important to consider factors such as soil conditions, light requirements, and overall aesthetic appeal. By choosing plants with similar growing requirements and complementary colors and textures, you can make small pots of white hydrangea bushes for sale.
How to Care for Your White Hydrangea Plants
Although the white hydrangea’s flowers and leaves seem delicate, they don’t require tedious care.
Here are the basic tips for caring for your white hydrangea blossoms:
- Regularly add mulch under your plants to keep the soil cool and moist. Organic mulch breaks down over time, nourishing and improving the soil texture.
- Water your plants an inch a week throughout the growing season. Deeply water the soil three times a week to encourage the roots to grow more. Smooth and bigleaf hydrangeas need more water, but all white hydrangea varieties benefit from consistent watering.
- Protect your flowers against pests. Choose cultivars with resistant traits.; otherwise, you’ll deal with powdery mildew and leaf spots. Pests are usually uncommon, but they can appear when plants are stressed. Your best defense is to properly care for your hydrangeas.
When the White Hydrangea Changes Color: What Should You Do?
In some cases, gardeners discover that the white blooms they planted are changing back to the traditional blue or pink hydrangea color. This, however, is part of the hydrangea’s normal aging and growing process. But if your hydrangeas are changing shades, don’t despair.
To keep your hydrangeas white, keep them as healthy as possible. This extends when your flowers stay fresh before they resume their normal aging process. Also, some environmental elements can affect the color of your blooms.
To keep them white longer, keep the following in mind:
Check Sunlight Exposure
White hydrangea bushes can tolerate shade and sun, but there is such a thing as “too much sun,” especially if your location receives an intense amount of sunlight. If your blooms receive too much attention from the sun, they will age and change colors quickly.
Also, too much sun can burn the leaf tips and blooms, causing them to brown and curl up or die. If this happens, deadhead the blooms damaged by the sun to encourage growth.
Water Your Bushes
As with most plants, it’s important to water your hydrangeas regularly. However, don’t overwater it. During summer, your white hydrangea bush might need more water than usual, especially if it receives too much sun.
Avoid soaking the ground to keep standing water from affecting the soil when watering your white hydrangea bush. Excessive moisture can damage the hydrangea’s roots or cause the flower to wilt. Add mulch to the plant’s base to help retain some moisture.
Fertilize Your White Hydrangea
Most gardeners discuss soil additives and pH to modify the soil for blue and pink hydrangeas. White hydrangeas, however, don’t react the same way that blues and pinks do. You still need to ensure your bush receives the nutrients it needs. The rule of thumb is the longer you keep your hydrangea healthy, the longer it will stay white.
Use a well-balanced fertilizer to maintain your soil’s conditions. Also, follow the instructions on the package to avoid overfertilizing your soil; otherwise, you can quickly harm it.
Storing And Preserving White Hydrangeas Flowers
To store and preserve white hydrangeas, it’s recommended to do the following:
- Start by cutting the stems at an angle and placing them in a bucket of water.
- Remove any leaves that will be in the water to prevent the occurrence of bacteria.
- Mist the blooms with water and wrap the stems with damp paper towels before covering them with a plastic bag.
- Store the bouquet away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
To help the blooms last longer, change the water every few days, trim the stems frequently, and mist the flowers regularly. Adding flower preservatives to the water can also help extend their vase life. With these tips, you can enjoy the beauty and the real touch of hydrangea bush white bloom for up to several weeks.
To dry the flowers, hang them upside down in a place with no direct sunlight. The flowers will gradually dry and can be used in dried flower arrangements.
Another method for preserving white hydrangeas is to dip them in alum powder, which can be found in any grocery store. Dip the stems in boiling water for 30 seconds, immediately transfer them to cold water, then dip them in the alum powder. This will preserve the flowers’ color and shape.
10 Tips And Precautions While Growing White Hydrangeas Outdoors
White hydrangeas can make a beautiful addition to any outdoor garden. Here are 10 white hydrangea bush care tips and precautions to remember when growing white hydrangeas outdoors.
- Choose the right location: White hydrangeas prefer partial shade to full shade, requiring moist, well-drained soil. Avoid planting them in areas with full sun to avoid drying them out.
- Plant at the right time: The best time to plant white hydrangeas is in the early spring or fall when the temperatures are cooler and more moisture is in the air.
- Mulch around the base of the plant: A layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or leaves, can help retain moisture around the roots and keep the soil cool.
- Water regularly: White hydrangeas require regular watering, especially during the warm summer. You should water them once or twice a week, depending on the conditions.
- Fertilize sparingly: Too much fertilizer can cause white hydrangeas to produce fewer blooms. Use fertilizer in the spring and fall to make them bloom faster, and avoid fertilizing in the summer.
- Prune at the right time: Prune white hydrangeas in early spring or late winter. Remove any damaged branches to improve the air circulation of the plant.
- Protect from frost: White hydrangeas are sensitive to frost and should be covered or moved indoors if frost is expected.
- Watch for pests: White hydrangeas can be affected by pests and many different insects. The plant must be checked regularly for any sign of infestation.
- Provide support: Some varieties of white hydrangeas, such as Annabelle and Incrediball, can become top-heavy and require support to prevent the branches from bending or breaking. Use stakes to provide support as the plant grows.
- Be patient: White hydrangeas can take a few years to establish and produce abundant blooms. Provide the plant with the right growing conditions, and with a little patience, you will be rewarded with a beautiful display of white flowers.
Following these tips and precautions, you can grow and enjoy white hydrangeas in your outdoor garden. Ultimately, with the right variety and proper care, you can enjoy the beauty and elegance of white hydrangea bush in your outdoor garden. Regularly water, fertilize, and prune your tall white hydrangea bush as needed to help them thrive and produce stunning blooms.
White Hydrangeas – FAQs
1) Do white hydrangeas grow around the year?
Because white hydrangeas are deciduous plants, they shed their leaves and hibernate throughout the winter. The precise period might vary depending on the particular variety and growth circumstances. They usually bloom in the summer and produce stunning flowers. They must also be given the right winter care to maintain their health.
2) Which is the best time to harvest hydrangea flowers?
The best time to harvest hydrangea flowers is during the summer months. Remember that hydrangeas continue to bloom throughout the summer, so you can harvest the flowers in phases and have a supply of fresh blossoms for your arrangements.
3) What fertilizers are good for white hydrangeas?
The soil must be nutrient-rich and have good drainage for white hydrangeas to grow effectively. Balanced, slow-release fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is typically suitable for growing strong and vivid blooms. Nevertheless, the precise amount of fertilizer needed might vary based on the kind of soil, pH level, and other growth circumstances.
4) Do hydrangeas need a lot of water?
In general, hydrangeas prefer well-draining and wet soil, but not waterlogged. White hydrangeas may require more regular watering during hot, dry weather to keep the soil from drying entirely. According to the weather and the state of the ground, it’s best to water deeply once/twice a week.
5) Why Do Your White Hydrangeas Look Dirty?
White hydrangeas change to shades of white throughout their aging and growing cycle. As a result, your hydrangea’s color changes from white to green, yellow, or pink. Most of the time, they will look a bit “dirty.” If this is the case, keep them watered to maintain their pristine white color.
White hydrangeas are a lovely addition to any backyard or privet hedge. To enjoy the presence of these blossoms, you need to practice constant garden care and have plenty of patience, creativity, and love for these plants.
