20 Blue Hydrangea Varieties To Choose From – World of Garden Plants (2024)

Blue flowers nestled among shrubs are quite rare. For big, round clusters of blooms, hydrangeas are your go-to choice.

Blue hydrangeas are really sought after, much like their white counterparts. After all, what’s more striking than large blue flower balls against green leaves?

Endless SummerOriginalHydrangea

The Endless Summer Hydrangea, known for its blue blooms, is popular because it flowers multiple times. Plant it in your garden, and you’ll enjoy its beauty throughout the season.

This hydrangea is a smaller variety, reaching about 4 feet in height and width. Its compact size is great for spaces where larger plants won’t fit.

It thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9. You can prune Endless Summer almost anytime, as it blooms on both new and old wood. It does well in both sunny and semi-shaded areas and falls under the mophead hydrangeas category.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea

Nikko Blue is an excellent hydrangea variety that flowers several times yearly, blooming earlier than most blue hydrangeas. It starts in early June and continues until late summer.

It usually retains its blue color well, but in alkaline soils, it might turn lavender or pinkish. So, aim to keep the soil pH below 6.0.

In terms of frost tolerance, Nikko Blue is suited for zones 6-9. With protection from winter winds, it can also do well in zone 5. In colder climates, it prefers full sun, while in warmer zones 8-9, partial sun is ideal.

Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout

Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout is a newer hydrangea variety featuring blue flowers. It’s a dwarf plant, typically not growing beyond 3 feet in height and width. This variety requires minimal pruning and is well-suited for container gardening.

In terms of frost hardiness, it can handle the cold in zones 4 and 5. In warmer regions, it’s suitable up to zone 9. Regardless of the climate, Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout needs some shade. It does best with six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day, spending the remaining time in the shade. More than 12 hours of sun can be too intense and may cause the plant to burn.

LA Dreamin Hydrangea

L.A. Dreamin is an ideal blue hydrangea for sunny spots. This variety thrives in full sun, without the risk of burning or color fading.

A standout feature of L.A. Dreamin Hydrangea is its ability to produce flowers in various colors on the same bush, ranging from pink to bright blue. However, the bluer the blooms, the more acidic your soil is likely to be.

This hydrangea grows to about 6 feet wide and 5 feet tall, with a spherical and slightly flattened shape, classifying it as medium-sized. You can manage its size through pruning, as it flowers on both old and new wood.

NantucketBlue Hydrangea

The Nantucket Blue Hydrangea offers stunning blue flower clusters from early summer until the first frost. Typically, the flowers are light blue, but they can turn pink in very alkaline soil.

This variety is quite hardy, thriving in zones 5 through 9. It does well in both full sun and partial shade, but avoid full shade. To ensure abundant flowering, it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Size-wise, Nantucket Blue is a compact hydrangea, usually not exceeding 5 feet in height and width. It grows at a moderate pace, so you won’t need to prune it too often.

Endless Summer BloomStruck Hydrangea

The Endless Summer BloomStruck Hydrangea is a compact variety, standing less than 3 feet tall and spreading up to 4 feet wide. It’s perfect for growing in pots or small gardens.

This hydrangea is notably hardy, suitable for zones 4-9, making it a good choice for colder northern climates as well as the warmer southern states.

The BloomStruck’s flower color ranges from blue to pink, depending on the soil’s acidity. Nowadays, it’s easy to adjust soil pH with various sulfates available on the market to encourage more acidic conditions.

However, this hydrangea variety doesn’t fare well in full sun all day. It’s best to place it where it will receive some shade during the day.

Tiny Tuff Stuff Hydrangea

The Tiny Tuff Stuff Hydrangea is among the smallest of the blue hydrangeas, with both its height and width not exceeding 2 feet.

A unique aspect of Tiny Tuff Stuff is its inflorescences, which feature two types of flowers: fertile blue ones and sterile, partially open ones. This combination creates a captivating lace-cap effect, as you can see in the picture.

Its excellent hardiness makes it a perfect choice for those who love dwarf hydrangeas and live in zones 5 and 6. Tiny Tuff Stuff is adaptable to both full sun and partial shade. Its compact size also means it doesn’t require a lot of water.

Big Daddy Hydrangea

The Big Daddy Hydrangea lives up to its name with its substantial size, reaching about 6 feet in both height and width. This variety is known for its large flower clusters and big leaves.

If space isn’t an issue in your garden, this hydrangea is a great choice. You’ll enjoy its impressive, ball-shaped clusters of blue flowers, as long as the soil remains acidic. In neutral soil, the flowers tend to turn purple.

However, the frost tolerance of Big Daddy Hydrangea isn’t the highest. It’s best grown in zones 6 to 9, from northern to southern regions. Also, it needs some protection from direct sunlight, ideally not receiving more than 8 to 9 hours of direct sun daily.

Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha Hydrangea

The Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha Hydrangea is a remarkable lace-cap variety. Unlike the Tiny Tuff Stuff, this one features partially open sterile flowers. This creates a striking contrast, with the fertile flowers set against a blue background instead of green, producing a fantastic effect.

It’s a dwarf hydrangea, reaching up to 2 feet in height and 3 feet in width. Despite its small size, it has quite large inflorescences, adding to its ornamental appeal. For the deepest blue color, aim for a soil pH of 5.5 to 5.7.

This hydrangea enjoys a lengthy blooming period from late spring through to late summer or even early fall.

Cityline Rio Bigleaf Hydrangea

The Cityline Rio Hydrangea is a medium-sized plant, growing to about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with a moderate growth rate. It features large flower clusters and leaves.

This hydrangea doesn’t produce a pure blue color. Even in acidic soil, its flowers have a purple tint, typically appearing blue-purple or lavender rather than outright purple. In alkaline soil, the flowers may turn pink.

Cityline Rio is quite frost-resistant and suitable for growing in zones 5-9. It requires annual fertilization for optimal flowering; without enough nutrients, its blooming can be sparse. This variety also adapts well to heavy and moist soils.

Everlasting Revolution Hydrangea

The Everlasting Revolution Hydrangea is a dwarf variety, with its size just over 2 feet in both height and width. It grows slower compared to larger hydrangeas and doesn’t require pruning, making it ideal for container gardening.

This hydrangea can be grown in most parts of the USA. However, in northern states, it may experience stem dieback to the ground during winters with little snow cover, and it doesn’t always bloom on new wood.

Penny Mac Hydrangea

Penny Mac is a stunning hydrangea of moderate size, growing to about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Its growth rate varies from medium to fast, depending on soil nutrition and fertilization.

This hydrangea is suited for zones 5-9, like many others on this list. However, it has a higher tolerance for drought compared to most hydrangeas, which typically require regular watering.

The flower heads of Penny Mac can be either light blue or pink. You can influence the color by adjusting the soil’s pH to get the shade you prefer.

Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue Hydrangea

Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue is a distinctive hydrangea, known for its multicolored flower heads. Parts of the bloom can be blue, while others are pink or purple, and sometimes all three colors appear simultaneously. To achieve a vibrant blue, adding aluminum sulfate to the soil is recommended.

Perfect for smaller spaces, this hydrangea typically doesn’t exceed 3 feet in both height and width, making it a great choice for compact gardens or container planting. It also boasts good tolerance to both frost and heat.

Bloomables Double Down Hydrangea

Bloomables Double Down hydrangea is truly captivating! One standout feature is its double flowers, where you’ll find a row of larger petals encasing a delicate inner row. This creates a stunning and enchanting visual.

Another remarkable trait is its vibrant blue hue. For optimal color retention, ensure this hydrangea gets the right conditions: acidic, well-draining soil.

Let’s Dance Blue Jangles Hydrangea

Another lovely hydrangea variety called Blue Jangles. The standout feature of this beauty is its blue flowers, though occasionally you might spot a touch of purple in the inflorescence, especially when the soil is neutral. So, in a nutshell, you can describe it as a delightful purple-blue hydrangea.

When it comes to size, Blue Jangles is a dwarf, keeping its height and width under the 3-foot mark. This makes it a breeze to take care of because there’s no need for constant pruning or excessive watering. It’s a low-maintenance gem for sure!

Générale Vicomtesse de VibrayeHydrangea

The Générale Vicomtesse de Vibraye hydrangea is quite a sizable plant. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, so it’s important to give it plenty of room. With the right care and conditions, it’ll reward you with loads of large flowers.

It’s not too picky about soil types, which is handy. However, it does need regular watering, especially during its first few years.

This hydrangea is a blue variety that does well even in shady spots. It’s been successfully grown in areas with filtered sunlight throughout the day. But remember, it still benefits from a few hours of direct sunlight to thrive.

Blue Enchantress Hydrangea

The Blue Enchantress is an eye-catching hosta known for its blue flowers with a striking white center. The touch of white adds an extra layer of elegance and intricacy to its appearance.

This variety is known for its ability to bloom repeatedly throughout the growing season. To keep up with its energy needs, it’s best to feed it twice a year.

As a robust and fast-growing plant, the Blue Enchantress reaches about 5 feet in both height and width, making it a substantially sized blue hydrangea.

Early Blue Hydrangea

The Early Blue hydrangea is perfect for smaller spaces or container gardening, as it’s a dwarf variety that usually stays under 3 feet tall and wide.

Its flowers boast a vivid blue hue. If the soil is neutral, you might notice a hint of pink in the blooms. To maintain that striking blue color, it’s best to keep the soil slightly acidic, perhaps using aluminum sulfate.

The blooms form large, ball-like clusters that generously adorn the entire bush, creating a lovely contrast against the dark green leaves.

Teller Blue Hydrangea

Teller Blue is a stunning hydrangea, known for its lacecap inflorescences. This unique feature means that only some of its flowers fully open, while others stay closed, creating a gorgeous lace-like effect.

Its blooms are a lovely shade of blue with hints of lilac. While the color might shift subtly throughout the season, this hydrangea always remains a beauty.

Growing up to 5 feet in both height and width, Teller Blue thrives in nutrient-rich soil and benefits from consistent watering to ensure a profusion of blooms.

Mathilda Gutges Hydrangea

Wrapping up our list, I’ve saved a special one for last – Mathilda Gutges. As of now, it’s among the bluest hydrangeas you can find. To achieve that stunning deep blue, make sure your soil is acidic. With a soil pH of around 5.5, the Mathilda Gutges blooms a blue so intense, it’s rare in other varieties.

The photo shows the true color you can expect in your garden. Keep in mind, in alkaline soil, these flowers will shift to pink. Sometimes, the pink can be so vivid that the blooms appear crimson or even red.