Dwarf hydrangeas are smaller-sized cultivars of ornamental hydrangea flowering plants. The smooth hydrangea flowers are a beautiful addition to flowering gardens, and they can be kept in plant containers as well, thanks to the small size of the dwarf cultivars.
In this article, we present a list that will introduce you to dwarf hydrangea varieties that are sure to add beauty to any garden.
Contents
Adorable Dwarf Hydrangea Cultivars You Can Plant in Your Garden
1. Bombshell Hydrangea
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Bombshells are quick-growing dwarf cultivars of bigleaf hydrangeas that have a long blooming season. These plants keep their flowers on display from the summer season almost all the way to the fall. Bombshell hydrangea is a great plant to be kept in containers for its compact and hardy nature.
Bombshell hydrangea produces plenty of flowers, and they can easily overshadow every other plant in their vicinity with the combination of their vigorous growth and abundant blossoms. The plant has a rounded growth habit and was initially discovered as a naturally occurring branch mutation in 2003 in the Netherlands.
Bombshell hydrangea produces star-shaped white flowers that have a long blooming season that lasts until the frost hits. The plant is a hardy plant with strong stems that grow in the shape of rounded mounds. The plant reaches 3 feet in height and 4 feet in width.
2. Bobo Hydrangea
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Bobo is another compact flowering plant that has all the properties of other hydrangea packed into a small plant. The dwarf hydrangea size makes it a great option as a hedge plant, and it’s also a good alternative in mixed shrub gardens where the large varieties of hydrangea look out of place or overwhelming.
These plants start blooming at the start of the summer and maintain their flowers throughout the season. Bobo hydrangeas are slow-growing plants as opposed to many other panicle hydrangeas that grow quite rapidly and add about 25 inches in spread. Bobo hydrangeas may take about two years to reach their full potential.
The flowers initially bloom with a white color and then gradually turn pink. Unlike macrophylla hydrangeas, their color does not change with different pH values of the soil.
3. Quick Fire Hydrangea
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Quick Fire Hydrangea is a unique plant as it blooms earlier than all other hydrangeas (one month prior, to be precise). The plant also has an upright growth habit and grows vigorously. It can easily be planted in the form of groups and be made into hedges or as a single specimen in borders.
The plant has sturdy stems with flowers sitting on their ends. This makes these flowers an excellent choice for bouquets or even for use as dried flowers. Like the previous entry of this list, the flower color does not change with a shift in the pH value of their soil. This hydrangea is toxic to humans and pets alike.
The plant starts blooming in early summer and goes all the way till the fall. The flower color starts off with white and gradually turns to a soft pink shade. But this shift keeps on going, and eventually, the flowers display a deep red-purple or dark pink color. This is the hardiest type of hydrangea plant that can adapt and survive in many different types of situations. You can also check some companion plants for the Fire Hydrangea.
4. Little Lime Hydrangea
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Little Lime, or limelight hydrangea, is a patented cultivar that produces flowers that have a wide range of colors in their blooms. These are among the fast-growing hydrangeas like the quickfire that also put on fall foliage to increase the beauty of their surroundings even further. Their flowers and leaves make them an excellent option for every type of flowering garden.
Their flowers not just beautify their surroundings but are also great as cut flowers. They can be plucked and dried to put together in a vase as well. If you plan on drying them to use as decoration, make sure that the flowers have a bluish tint before you pluck them.
Little Lime has a long flowering season during which the flowers go through a number of different color changes. These flowers can be lime green, creamy, white, red, and sometimes burgundy. These plants bloom from the month of July all the way through to September. During the fall season, their foliage also changes color and turns deep red.
The ideal amount of light they need will depend on your local climate. In hot regions, they prefer partial shade, whereas if you live in cold climates, you can plant them under the full sun but make sure to avoid strong winds.
5. Mini Penny Hydrangea
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This is a dwarf hydrangea cultivar that is fashioned with classic mophead-styled flowers that can have different colors. This is one of the hydrangea varieties that can change the colors of their flowers depending on the pH value of their soil. This makes these hydrangeas unique in the sense that you can control their color by altering the pH of your soil.
Being dwarf varieties, these plants do not grow to a considerable size. This makes them the perfect choice to be kept in small planters and as border plants in gardens. Another good aspect of the mini penny is its resistance to diseases such as mildew, making it very easy to grow and maintain.
As mentioned, their flowers bloom in the signature mophead shape that can either be blue or pink. If they are kept in acidic soil, they will produce periwinkle blue flowers, while in alkaline conditions, these flowers change their color to pink. This characteristic gives you more control over the look of your garden.
The plant is not very demanding and adapts to many growing conditions. It can grow under full sun or partial shade. Although the soil can be acidic or alkaline in nature, it should be moist and well-draining to keep the plant healthy.
6. Paraplu Hydrangea
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Paraplu hydrangea is the true ‘dwarf’ hydrangea that will only grow to a height of about 3 feet. It makes for an excellent container plant. The flowers of this macrophylla cultivar can alter their color with the pH value of the soil, so you can control what colors you would like to see during their blooming season.
They bloom on old wood, so pruning is necessary if you want them to keep blooming throughout the season. Their small size, mophead flowers, and vibrant colors make them an ideal choice for any place where you would like to add more colors and interest.
The flowers of this plant can vary their shade from pink to deep blue, and sometimes they will end up with a magenta tone. New flowering buds are green, which makes an interesting contrast with the already mature colorful flowers. These blooms also appear as double flowers, which means they have extra petals that give them a unique look of a flower within a flower.
The soil should be rich in order to meet their nutrient requirements and should have good drainage to avoid soggy conditions.
7. Pistachio Hydrangea
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The pistachio hydrangea is another beautiful ornamental flowering shrub. This compact plant is known for its beautiful flowers, fast growth rate, and compact size, making it the perfect choice for border plants and hedges. It works great in flowering gardens and in container gardens alike. They are also great as cut flowers and for keeping in vases.
The main selling point of pistachio hydrangea is the unique color of their flowers, which appear in the form of clusters. These flowers have a pure white center with chartreuse green petals with pink lining at the edges. This combination of colors makes for interesting contrast within the plant and makes it stand out from the rest of the garden dwellers.
Pistachio hydrangeas are hardy flowering shrubs that can easily adapt to many different growing conditions. The ideal place to plant them is somewhere that receives plenty of sunlight, but the plant will also grow in partial shade. The most important factor that contributes to abundant blooms is the soil conditions.
The plant needs rich, moist, and well-draining soil to thrive and produce its unique flowers. The plant is also among the few hydrangeas that need consistent watering sessions to maintain moisture and keep their growth steady.
8. Mountain Hydrangea
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Mountain hydrangea is one of the lesser-known varieties of hydrangea, but it is an attractive and hardy plant. With the right care and conditions, this flowering plant will provide you with an endless summer beauty that will carry on all the way until fall.
Also known as tiny tuff stuff hydrangea, these plants produce flowers in a range of different colors ranging from blue, pink, white, purple, and lavender. The plant has a compact rounded growing habit and shiny green foliage. This makes them an incredible option for making low privacy fences or container plants.
Like almost all other hydrangeas, these are low-maintenance plants that do not need a lot of care to produce healthy flowers. If you can provide the plant with a location that receives filtered sunlight, moist loamy soil that has good drainage, and occasional watering, the plant will reward you with abundant blossoms.
9. Invincibelle Mini Hydrangea
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The Invincibelle Mini produces abundant blossoms that come together in the signature ‘mophead’ shape. These are hardy plants that come around every single year with their vibrant colors and attractive appeal. It is a great way to add more interest to your already colorful hydrangea garden, as it will fit right in among the other members.
The plant blooms yearly without much care or hassle, and it will do so even in cold climates. It produces pink-mauve flowers that are kept upright by its strong, sturdy stems. The plant starts its flowering season in early summer, and it continues to produce blooms all throughout the winter as well.
Hydrangeas do not require a lot of care in general, and this variety is no exception. A bright spot with moist, well-draining soil and moderate water is all it needs to bloom every year.
There are also many other compact flowering hydrangeas like oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia), Monrey hydrangea, Venice Raven hydrangea that are great alternatives to standard-sized hydrangeas because of their small size and profuse blooms.
Conclusion
Dwarf hydrangeas are easy to care for, and their colorful flowers are a great addition to any garden. If you’re planning to get one of these hydrangeas for your garden, keep in mind that:
- Many of these, such as Little Lime Hydrangea, Quick Fire Hydrangea, and Bobo Hydrangea, are low maintenance, so you have a wide range of options.
- Some of them, such as Quick Fire Hydrangea, are toxic to humans and pets, so choose accordingly.
- The macrophylla cultivars, such as Mini Penny Hydrangea and Paraplu Hydrangea, can change their colors depending on the pH of the soil.
Which flowering shrub will you pick up next for your garden? Pick one of the presented hydrangea varieties, and you’ll never regret it.
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