15 Types of White Hydrangeas for Your Garden (2024)

Gardening

Shrubs

Barbara Gillette

Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.

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Updated on 07/27/23

Reviewed by

Julie Thompson-Adolf

Reviewed byJulie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author with over 30 years of experience in year-round organic gardening; seed starting, growing heirlooms, and sustainable farming.

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Warning

Hydrangeas are toxic to cats, dogs and horses.

01 of 15
Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea

For an extra bit of landscape elegance, consider the classic mophead Annabelle. A dependable performer, this hydrangea cultivar raises the bar with snowy white flowers up to a foot wide, starting in June and lasting until frost. Dark green foliage complements the massive round flowers held on sturdy stems above the leaves. Annabelle is a favorite with bees and butterflies.
- Name: Annabelle (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle')
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Type: Smooth mophead
- Light: Full sun to part dappled shade
- Soil: Adaptable, well-draining, moist
- Mature Size: 4 to 5 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide
See Also
How to grow and care for hydrangeas 12 Blue Hydrangea Varieties Bursting With Color 13 Blue Hydrangea Varieties: Unleash The Blue Magic - Garden For Indoor 20 Blue Hydrangea Varieties To Choose From – World of Garden Plants
02 of 15
Seaside Serenade® 'Glacier Bay' Bigleaf Hydrangea

Glacier Bay is the 2023 addition to the Seaside Serenade® collection. Black stems and dark green leaves contrast with crisp white flowers for a dramatic effect. Lacy flowers bloom from summer to autumn. Glacier Bay benefits from afternoon shade and adds interest planted in groupings. This compact shrub also works well in containers.
- Name: Seaside Serenade® 'Glacier Bay' (Hydrangea macrophylla 'CAMCHO45' PPAF)
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Type: Big leaf lacecap
- Light: Part sun, part shade
- Soil: Fertile, well drained
- Mature Size: 3 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide
03 of 15
Fairytrail Bride® Lacecap Hydrangea

Considered a new class of trailing hydrangea, Fairytrail Bride® is the first of its type in North America. This summer-long bloomer grows almost horizontally with lacy white flowers at every dark green leaf node. The trailing habit offers plenty of versatility, including hanging baskets and retaining walls. Fairytrail Bride® attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Name: Fairytrail Bride® (Hydrangea x 'USHYD0405')
- Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Type: Trailing lacecap
- Light: Full sun, part shade
- Soil: Moist, well draining
- Mature Size: 4 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
04 of 15
Chantilly Lace Panicle Hydrangea

Chantilly Lace is a compact but larger sized panicle hydrangea with pointed, white, cone-shaped flowers to match. The 10-inch tall blooms grow up to 6 inches wide and develop a light pink hue as they age. Chantilly Lace is a late bloomer with flowers appearing first in July that often last until first frost.
- Name: Chantilly Lace (Hydrangea paniculata 'Chantilly Lace')
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Type: Panicle
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Rich, medium moisture, well draining
- Mature Size: 5 to 6 ft. tall, 5 to 6 ft. wide
Continue to 5 of 15 below
05 of 15
Grin and Tonic™ Bigleaf Hydrangea

Ready for a little garden magic? The 2023 debut of the reblooming hydrangeaGrin and Tonic™ offers a changeling, with showy mopheads that emerge lime green and morph into a fresh white before your very eyes. Try this compact cultivar in a patio pot where you can enjoy the show all summer long.
- Name: Grin and Tonic™ (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hokomaburlac' PPAF)
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Type: Big leaf mophead
- Light: Part shade
- Soil: Average, moist, well drained
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide
06 of 15
Tiny Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea

Tiny Quick Fire® is the new sun-loving mini in the popular Quick Fire®hydrangea series. Drought-tolerate, this dwarf variety offers plenty of versatility in the border or planted in drifts with a bit of afternoon shade. Big, dome-shaped white flowers cover dark green leaves starting in early summer. By late summer, its flowers take on a pinkish-red hue. Tiny Quick Fire® draws bees and butterflies to the garden.
- Name: Tiny Quick Fire® (Hydrangea paniculata 'SMHPLQF')
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Type: Panicle
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Fertile, well draining
- Mature Size: 18 in. to 3 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide
07 of 15
Hayes Starburst Smooth Hydrangea

Hayes Starburst grows naturally in woodlands and is a good choice for shady areas and rain gardens. Give this hydrangea moist, well-draining soil and part shade to bring on large 6- to 8-inch white to light green flowers from June to September. The dark green leaves are lighter on the undersides and turn yellow in autumn. This hydrangea is noteworthy because it tolerates black walnut.
- Name: Hayes Starburst (Hydrangea arborescense 'Hayes Starburst')
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Type: Smooth, mophead
- Light: Part shade
- Soil: Fertile, well draining
- Mature Size: 2 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 4 ft. wide
08 of 15
See Also
22 Types of Hydrangea Shrubs (with Pictures): Identification Guide
Shirofuji Lacecap Hydrangea

Shirofuji is a rare mountain hydrangea quickly gaining notice for its white, star-shaped flowers and small leaves. Lacy clusters of double flowers appear in June amid foliage that flushes crimson red when young and again in autumn. Shirofuji is a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Name: Shirofuji (Hydrangea serrata 'Shirofuji')
- Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Type: Mountain lacecap
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Adaptable, moist, well-draining
- Mature Size: 3 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide
Continue to 9 of 15 below
09 of 15
Brussels Lace Panicle Hydrangea

The show starts in July for this late bloomer, but creamy white blooms stretching to 8 inches tall attract notice through October. Dark green foliage sets off cone-shaped flowers, which age to light pink in autumn. A little more compact that other panicle hydgrangeas, Brussels Lace is ideal for smaller gardens. This shrub attracts butterflies but may need protection from rabbits.
- Name: Brussels Lace(Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace')
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Type: Panicle
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Moist, well draining
- Mature Size: 6 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide
10 of 15
Madame Emile Mouillere Bigleaf Hydrangea

Clusters of white mophead flowers cover this classic hydrangea cultivar starting in summer and taking on a spotty, pink tinge by autumn. Glossy green leaves turn from orange to red, adding late season interest. Mme. E. Mouillere is easy to care for with disease and insect resistance. A little shade and a sheltered location provide the best growing environment.
- Name: Madame Emile Mouillere (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Madame Emile Mouillere')
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Type: Bigleaf lacecap
- Light: Part sun, part shade
- Soil: Adaptable, moist, well draining
- Mature Size: 5 to 6 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide
11 of 15
Veitchii Bigleaf Hydrangea

Veitchi is a large, bigleaf hydrangea with intriguing color contrast. The large outer brachts are pristine white while smaller center flowers take on a blue or pink tinge depending on soil acidity. Large, showy flowers cover this impressive shrub in May and June for a standout specimen in the woodland garden.
- Name: Veitchii (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Veitchii')
- Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Type: Bigleaf lacecap
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Rich, well draining
- Mature Size: 5 ft. tall, 5 to 10 ft. wide
12 of 15
Munchkin Oakleaf Hydrangea

If you love the look of an oakleaf hydrangea but don't have the garden space, Munchkin is a good choice. Deeply lobed foliage turns brilliant mahogany in autumn. Tall, white, cone-shaped blooms grow to 6 1/2 inches in height and appear in summer on branches that shed, adding winter interest. Flowers turn pink as they age.
- Name: Munchkin (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Munchkin')
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Type: Oakleaf panicle
- Light: Filtered sun, part sun to part shade
- Soil: Organically rich, well draining
- Mature Size: 3 to 4 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide
Continue to 13 of 15 below
13 of 15
Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea

Snow Queen is an oakleaf type hydrangea with large, dense, cone-shaped flowers that bloom in mid-summer. Its moderate size makes it work well in a flowering hedge or as specimen plant. Creamy white blooms turn pink as they age above foliage with brilliant red-bronze autumn color. The shedding bark adds year-round interest to the garden.
- Name: Snow Queen (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen')
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Type: Oakleaf panicle
- Light: Part sun to part shade
- Soil: Average, well draining
- Mature Size: 4 to 5 ft. tall, 5 to 6 ft. wide
14 of 15
Puffer Fish™ Panicle Hydrangea

Puffer Fish™ is a 2023 debut hydrangea with a surprise finish. Masses of dome-shaped flowers almost hide the dark green foliage. Bright white flowers open in early summer on sturdy stems and last through early autumn, acquiring a lime green hue with age. At the final curtain, this medium size shrub sends up a fresh sprig of bright white flowers at the tip of the panicle.
- Name: Puffer Fish™ (Hydrangea paniculata 'NCHP1' PPAF)
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Type: Panicle
- Light: Full sun, up to 4 hours shade
- Soil: Moderately moist loam
- Mature Size: 3 to 5 ft. tall, 3 to 5 ft. wide
15 of 15
Double Delights™ 'Wedding Gown' Bigleaf Hydrangea

Wedding Gown in the Double Delights™ collection produces sprays of lacy, white, double flowers that look like small bridal bouquets. Blooms appear in June on dark green foliage, lasting through autumn if deadheaded. Winter protection is advised for growers in zone 5.
- Name: Double Delights™ 'Wedding Gown'(Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dancing Snow' PP21052)
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Type: Big leaf lacecap
- Light: Full sun, part shade
- Soil: Adaptable, moist, well draining
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 ft. tall, 3 to 5 ft. wide

FAQ

What is the prettiest type of white hydrangea?

If you're looking for elegance, Annabelle is classic white hydrangea with large, white, mophead blooms. Glacier Bay is a showy contrast with nearly black stems, dark green leaves and crisp white flowers. The trailing habit of Fairytrail Bride® adorns any setting mounded or in hanging basket.
Do white hydrangeas need full sun?

Plenty of cultivars and types of hydrangea will grow in full sun, but most benefit from cooling off with a few hours of afternoon shade.
How do you keep a white hydrangeas white?

To keep your hydrangea white, choose a type that stays white until flowers fade like the smooth variety 'Annabelle'. Many types of white hydrangea, especially oakleaf and panicle cultivars, tend to take on shades of pink or green as they age. You won't be able to keep them white by changing soil acidity, which doesn't play a role in flower color with most white hydrangeas though there are a few exceptions like Veitchii.
Where is the best place to plant hydrangeas?

The best place to plant hydrangeas depends on type and size. The best growing conditions generally provide moist, well drained soil and morning sun with a few hours of afternoon shade.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hydrangea. ASPCA
Hydrangeaarborescens'Hayes Starburst'. Missouri Botanical Garden.

15 Types of White Hydrangeas for Your Garden (2024)

Warning

Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea

Seaside Serenade® 'Glacier Bay' Bigleaf Hydrangea

Fairytrail Bride® Lacecap Hydrangea

Chantilly Lace Panicle Hydrangea

Grin and Tonic™ Bigleaf Hydrangea

Tiny Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea

Hayes Starburst Smooth Hydrangea

Shirofuji Lacecap Hydrangea

Brussels Lace Panicle Hydrangea

Madame Emile Mouillere Bigleaf Hydrangea

Veitchii Bigleaf Hydrangea

Munchkin Oakleaf Hydrangea

Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea

Puffer Fish™ Panicle Hydrangea

Double Delights™ 'Wedding Gown' Bigleaf Hydrangea