Hydrophylla hydrangea One of the few Hydrangeas with a gentle scent when in bloom is called “Ayesha” [Profile of Great Plant Picks] Atypical Hydrangea petiolaris (a climbing hydrangea) “Light flower perfume” or “gentle fruity fragrance” described for hydrangea paniculata
Which hydrangea has the strongest fragrance?
In addition to blooming in late spring—among the earliest of all hydrangeas—this unique and precocious shrub with huge lacecaps of white and chartreuse also has a lovely perfume, which is extremely uncommon in this genus. An entire garden will be perfumed by the jasmine-like aroma! a wonderful selection made by Dan Hinkley from Sichuan Province, China, seed.
Are there any hydrangeas with a scent?
Some hydrangeas have a beautiful perfume, however not all of them do.
The Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) produces clusters of fragrant flowers that are typically 8 inches long and 6 inches broad. The blooms begin as white, then they change to pink. USDA zones 3 through 8 can tolerate this shrub. It can grow to a height of 6 to 20 feet, depending on the variety. The PeeGee hydrangea, or Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora,’ has an especially enticing aroma. This cultivar can be cultivated to become a small tree and reaches heights of up to 20 feet. Climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, is another fragrant hydrangea.
The gorgeous blooms of Hydrangea spp. are well-known, however not all kinds have a floral scent.
Are Limelight hydrangeas odoriferous?
Even on the hottest Southern nights when its aroma is strongest, we may choose to linger outside to enjoy it because the intoxicating fragrance of gardenias brings back memories of young love for the not-so-young among us.
My two August Beauty gardenia shrubs were a gift from Dorothy Anderson, an indomitable 89-year-old who still digs and plants flowers in her Southaven garden, about a dozen years ago. Anderson likes to take good care of her gardenias by fertilizing them annually, trimming them carefully, and spraying for the whiteflies that zap the life from their leaves.
Although my plants, which have been largely thriving on their own, produce a lot of flowers, usually in May and again in August, I guess I’ll give them a little lift this year with fertilizer. My mother-in-law always receives a little nosegay of the first gardenias that bloom in my garden because fragrance brings back memories. She only needs to take a sniff to be whisked back to her younger years and the corsages her dates gave her.
Tulips often lack fragrance, but Ballerina, a late-season bloomer with vivid orange lily-like blossoms, is one of a few dozen kinds that defy the rule.
Daffodils are more likely to have scents, and some, like paperwhite narcissi, I’d say, are downright stinking, though some people genuinely prefer it. You might already be cultivating some of the well-known fragrant daffodils, such as Tahiti, Carlton, Ice Follies, Thalia, and Baby Moon.
However, the summer blooming panicle kinds like Limelight and Little Lime have a lovely scent. Hydrangea sniffing is usually ineffective. Not so with the bulk of blue or pink mopheads and lacecaps or oak leaf varieties.
White hydrangeas have a scent, right?
Hydrangeas often have pink or blue flowers, depending on the pH of the soil: blue flowers grow in acidic soils, while pink blossoms grow in alkaline soils. However, these hydrangeas are perhaps the most beautiful in the species and also produce white flowers. Pink and blue cultivars lack a delicate quality that white-flowered types possess. They can be utilized to illuminate a shaded region, serve as a contrast to more vibrant hues, and infuse a sense of calmness into a planting area. The majority of white hydrangea types do not change color depending on the pH of the soil, in contrast to pink and blue hydrangeas. However, some flowers turn light pink or brown as they get older. Pruning hydrangeas requires caution because the process differs depending on the variety.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Great Star’
This paniculata hydrangea blooms in late summer and continues to bloom through the fall, when its fragrant, pure white star-shaped flowers turn pink. It grows into a huge shrub and is best positioned at the back of the border, especially in a cottage garden or woodland design. It also produces a superb cut flower.
Hydrangea quercifolia
In the late summer, the Hydrangea quercifolia produces enormous cones of white flowers. Its fresh, green, oak-like leaves, which turn colors of golden, orange, red, and purple in the fall, contrast well with these. The cultivar “Snow King” is beautiful. It has been given the prestigious Award of Garden Metit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
The Hydrangea aborescens ‘Annabelle’ has enormous heads with only sterile florets that are up to 30 cm across and resemble white snowballs. The blossoms turn a delicate lime-green as fall unfolds, while the young, emerald leaves take on a variety of yellow hues. With other hydrangeas, it has an upright habit and tolerates shade, making it ideal for a mixed border. It has been honored with the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Savill Lace’
Hybrid paniculata hydrangea “Savill Lace” has especially big cones of cream-white blooms. These ultimately start to turn pink. This extremely decorative cultivar blends well with other hydrangeas and is ideal for growing at the back of a mixed border.
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
Suitable for a shaded or north-facing wall, climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, is a helpful low-maintenance climber. Though slow to start, it’s well worth the wait. It produces enormous, white lacecap-style hydrangea flowers in the summer that can nearly completely round the stems. Autumn sees the green, heart-shaped leaves turn yellow. It has received The Royal Horticultural Society’s esteemed Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lanarth White’
Depending on the pH of the soil, “Lanarth White” produces graceful, larger-than-average lacecap flowers with crisp white petals and interior florets that change color to pink or blue. It is a highly hardy hydrangea and is ideal for places that are cold and exposed where other hydrangeas struggle.
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Fireworks’
This lacecap hydrangea produces double, star-shaped flowers in pure white that burst open like fireworks. Depending on the pH of the soil it is growing in, the color of each flowerhead’s heart can range from pink to blue. Shiny, deep green foliage provide a contrast to them. It is perfect for growing at the front of a mixed border or as part of a container display because of its compact size and habit.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Sundae Fraise’
Numerous green and white blossoms on the hydrangea “Sundae Fraise” gradually turn pink in the late summer. Its compact habit makes it ideal for container displays and tiny gardens.
Hydrangea ‘Limelight’
An upright shrub called a limelight hydrangea with yellow-green stems, grey-green leaves, and enormous green blooms that fade to creamy white before turning pink in the fall.
What hydrangea has the most gorgeous flowers?
Top 15 Hydrangea Flowers in Beauty
- Rocklin’s Aspera Hydrangea
- Konigstein’s Hydrangea Macrophylla:
- Lemmonhoff’s Hydrangea Macrophylla:
- Nikko Blue Macrophylla Hydrangea:
- Macrophylla Taube’s Hydrangea:
- Munchkin’s Hydrangea Quercifolia:
- Glowing Embers Hydrangea Macrophylla Alpengluhen:
- Ever Pink Hydrangea Macrophylla:
They are hardy
The species of hydrangea most tolerant of freezing temperatures is the panicle. They are dependable shrubs or tiny trees that thrive with little effort. Their sturdy, reddish-brown branches range from being straight to arching and occasionally bow from the weight of the enormous blossoms. Although something closer to 6 or 8 feet tall and wide is more typical, something up to 15 feet tall and wide is possible. Panicle hydrangeas are typically too large for small gardens, but anybody may enjoy them with careful pruning or by picking a tiny variety like ‘Dharuma’ or Quick FireTM.
Pruning doesn’t affect bloom
Panicle hydrangeas don’t mind being clipped, unlike bigleaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla cvs., Zones 69). Typically in early spring, I advise trimming the plants back by about half of their height before the leaves appear, though this is optional if you have space for a larger plant. Due to space limitations in the trial beds, we had to start trimming, but the better habits and results we saw afterward encouraged us to keep doing it. The size of the hydrangeas with annual pruning is depicted in the chart below. Contrary to many bigleaf varieties, panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood, thus trimming won’t stop them from producing blooms and might even make them bigger. Annual trimming, in contrast to some accounts, did not promote long, feeble stems that were unable to sustain the weighty blossoms. All the cultivars, with the exception of “Dolly,” were robust enough to support their blossoms.
Flower type and size vary
Panicle hydrangeas produce a mixture of beautiful, sterile florets and frothy, fertile florets in their flowers. The showy florets, which vary in size and number depending on the cultivar, create the protracted bloom show, which is accentuated by a transformation from white to various pink tones. Unsurprisingly, the breeding trend has been to enhance the pink hue of the wilting blooms. I employ the words “To distinguish between the two floral varieties of panicle hydrangea, use the terms lacy and “mop.” In contrast, Lacy describes an open panicle with showy florets scattered throughout the fertile flowers “Mop is a sign of an excess of colorful florets with fertile florets buried beneath.
Watch the pHbut don’t worry about deer
I discovered that the alkaline nature of our soils at the Chicago Botanic Garden, particularly in hot, dry weather, may contribute to panicle hydrangea foliar chlorosis. Consistent watering will guarantee healthier foliage and more robust bloom output in hot conditions. Panicle hydrangeas are resilient to urban environments and rarely encounter pests or illnesses. While some cultivars are frequently praised for their mildew tolerance, none of our plants ever developed powdery mildew. Deer also favor bigleaf hydrangeas, but they usually show less interest in panicle varieties.
They have some winter interest
I’m not crazy about going into detail about a plant’s winter characteristics, but I disagree with detractors who claim that panicle hydrangea lacks any winter appeal. When rimmed with frost or covered in snow, the faded brown blossoms add some color and structural interest. I prefer to leave them on till spring because I’m a lazy gardener at heart and I’ll be pruning the branches anyway. When the crispy panicles break off and roll across the garden like tiny tumbleweeds, it’s entertaining.
Do oakleaf hydrangea have a scent?
The mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) in my yard have long since given up their sky-blue hue for the late summer’s blue-gray-beige. The Hydrangea quercifolia oak leaf hydrangeas have changed color to dusty pink. I can already see the crispness of dried blossoms and the beginning of their transformation into the brown-beige of October when I examine the margins of individual petals on the enormous, cone-shaped flower panicles.
Me and other hydrangea enthusiasts have long been mesmerized by the beauty of the numerous types and variants that can be grown in gardens. I purchased a beautiful “Shooting Star” hydrangea earlier this summer at the grocery store, marking yet another instance of hope triumphing over knowledge. It sported a large, attractive head of mixed fertile and sterile flowers, with plump, star-shaped blossoms emerging from the main flowerheads in all directions. It started to wither within the first few days after I got it home, as was to be expected. The blooms and foliage quickly shriveled away despite loving attention. Although the stems were still green, I continued to take care of the pitiful-looking plant since I am an optimist. It eventually produced new leaves and is currently recovering its health. I’m hoping that my “Shooting Star” will be able to bloom a few times next year so that I can experience the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from helping plants come back to life.
Even if those blooms come again, they won’t have any perfume, as the majority of hydrangea species and cultivars do, which is a characteristic shared by “Shooting Star.” With a few notable exceptions, such as the cultivar “Ayesha,” none of the numerous mophead types on the market have anything to add to the discussion on smell. The lovely lacecap varieties appear as though they ought to smell delectable, but they never do. The smooth hydrangea, or Hydrangea arborescens, has large, spherical flowerheads that have no perfume; its most popular variety is called “Annabelle.”
However, those of us who enjoy scents are persistent and never stop looking for scents that excite our senses. My nose is now running because I can hear the “hydrangea peegee The pleasant aroma of the fully blooming Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ is beckoning to me. For those who are curious, the word “peegee” is merely a shortened version of the species and variety names used in trade. Peegee may sound like something little and delicate, but peegee hydrangeas are anything but. Although the plants can be grown as shrubs, they are more frequently trained and pruned into tiny trees in my neighborhood, at least. Peegees typically grow to a height of between ten and twenty feet, though the size varies greatly according on the type. Although they have an erect habit, the branches arch downward when the petals are fully bloomed in the late summer or early fall. The fully loaded branches of my peegee, which is still very young, lean down to create a low tunnel between the front and back gardens. I don’t mind the tunnel because I’m short, but my tall spouse doesn’t like it. I explain to him that while Mr. Antlers and his deer posse are currently discouraged, the issue will eventually be resolved as the peegee grows taller year after year. As long as I use the peegee to mow the lawn, this appeases my spouse.
Hydroponic oak leaf
Although it is not overbearing, the aroma of Hydrangea quercifolia is there as well. Large white flower panicles, deep green leaves resembling oak leaves that turn red in the fall, and cinnamon-tinted peeling bark are just a few of the astounding list of qualities that the species possesses. The delicious aroma is just one more. Although its smell season is late spring, it is essentially a plant for all seasons. The species’ size, which can reach eight feet tall and wide, is its biggest drawback. The bushes tend to sucker, and if the suckers aren’t taken out, a thicket quickly develops. At the base of fully leafed-out shrubs, the suckers are difficult to see, but if you come close to smell the blooms, it is simpler to spot and cut out the root suckers. smaller species, such as “Pee Wee are better for container gardening or gardening in small spaces.
If you enjoy mopheads, you should look for the ‘Ayesha’ cultivar, which has been around for 60 years. It is typically colored like a mophead—blue in acidic soils, pink in alkaline ones. But the blooms are something else entirely. Each petal is cupped or curled, giving the flowerhead as a whole a tighter, more streamlined appearance than typical mopheads. The shrub grows to a respectable five feet tall and wide, and the aroma is noticeable but not overpowering.
Many of the gardeners I know can’t picture living without scent. Most of them also struggle to envisage a garden without hydrangeas. You can have both if you plan ahead a little.