Hydrangeas are beloved flowering shrubs that bring big, beautiful blooms to gardens and landscapes. The large mophead and lacecap flowers come in a range of colors like blue, purple, red, and pink. One of the most classic and charming combinations is pink and white hydrangea bushes. The mix of blushing pink blossoms and crisp white florets creates a romantic, cottage-style feel perfect for borders, beds, containers, and more.
Why Pink and White Hydrangeas are So Popular
The soft duo of pink and white is a timeless color scheme used often in floral designs. Hydrangeas naturally lend themselves to this palette. Many bigleaf and smooth hydrangea cultivars open white before gradually turning pink, red, or purple. Leaving some flowers white while others mature to pink results in the perfect blend.
Pink and white also pair beautifully together. White hydrangas pop against the pink blossoms, creating an eye-catching display. Pink softens and complements the bright white blooms. The colors evoke a sense of innocence and femininity, reminiscent of spring gardens and flower crowns.
Finally, pink and white hydrangeas offer incredible versatility. They work in formal and informal gardens, containers, along fences, and cut for bouquets. The colors complement both warm and cool color schemes already present in the landscape. Continue reading for tips on growing pink and white hydrangea bushes in your own yard.
Choose the Right Hydrangea Varieties
To enjoy pretty pink and white hydrangea bushes select varieties that naturally produce flowers in these shades. Some options include
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Bigleaf Hydrangeas – Look for mophead, lacecap, and mountain hydrangeas like ‘Blushing Bride’, ‘Libelle’, and ‘Veitchii’.
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Smooth Hydrangeas – ‘Penny Mac’, ‘Bobo’, and ‘Bombshell’ open white before turning pink.
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Panicle Hydrangeas – ‘Pink Diamond’, ‘Strawberry Sundae’, and ‘Chantilly Lace’ bloom white then pink.
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Oakleaf Hydrangeas – ‘Alice’, ‘Snow Queen’, and ‘Sikes Dwarf’ feature white and pink flowers.
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Climbing Hydrangeas – ‘Climbing Penny Mac’ and ‘Primrose Beauty’ have the color combination
Check tags for flower descriptions and choose plants suited for your growing zone.
Proper Care for Pink and White Blooms
Hydrangeas require minimal care when planted in the ideal conditions. Most prefer morning sun with afternoon shade, and consistently moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of shredded bark, compost, leaves or other organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture and improve soil over time.
Water established plants 1-2 inches per week. Increase frequency during growth spurts and hot, dry periods. Avoid overwatering as excessive moisture causes root rot. Prune immediately after flowering by removing spent blooms and only 1/3 of the oldest stems to encourage new growth. Protect plants in cold climates during winter. With proper site selection and care, pink and white hydrangea bushes thrive for years.
Achieve the Perfect Color Combination
Many hydrangea species change color based on soil pH. To get that ideal blend of pink and white flowers:
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Test soil pH – Most hydrangeas bloom pink or blue in neutral to acidic soil (pH 5-6.5). White flowers prefer alkaline soil (pH above 7).
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Adjust soil – Increase acidity to boost pink/blue shades by applying aluminum sulfate. Use lime to raise pH for white blooms.
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Leave some unaltered – For both colors, amend half the plant’s root zone, leaving the other half unchanged.
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Monitor flowers – As blooms open, remove spent pink/blue ones to reveal fresh white flowers underneath.
With some tweaking and strategic flower removal, you can orchestrate a flawless pink and white floral display!
Ideas for Showcasing Pink and White Hydrangeas
Take advantage of the high visual impact of pink and white hydrangea bushes with these planting suggestions:
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Mixed Container – Combine one pink and one white hydrangea with pink and white annuals like petunias, lobelia, alyssum, and nemesia.
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Hydrangea Hedge – Alternate pink and white hydrangea shrubs in a decorative hedge or border. Underplant with white bulbs like daffodils or snowdrops.
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Foundation Planting – Place a white smooth hydrangea on each side of the steps or entryway, flanked by pink bigleaf hydrangeas.
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Focal Point – Let a pink climbing hydrangea or white oakleaf steal the show by training one up a trellis, post, or tree.
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Bouquets – Cut stems of each color for jaw-dropping floral arrangements indoors.
With limitless possibilities, pink and white hydrangeas offer four-season interest and endless enjoyment in any garden.
Favorite Pink and White Varieties
From lacecaps to panicles, here are a few top picks for pink and white hydrangea bushes:
‘Abracadabra’ – Reblooming lacecap with double white flowers that turn soft pink. Compact at just 3-5 feet tall.
‘Blushing Bride’ – Classic mophead with large two-toned white and pink blossoms. Grows up to 6 feet.
‘Strawberry Sundae’ – Panicle hydrangea with enormous white and pink blooms. Reaches 10 feet tall but can be trimmed smaller.
‘Little Lamb’ – Dwarf, cold-hardy smooth hydrangea that opens white and matures to pink. Just 18-24 inches tall.
‘Veitchii’ – Climbing hydrangea with white lacecap flowers aging to light pink. Excellent for covering fences and arbors.
The Bottom Line
For maximum charm and visual delight in the garden, look no further than the timeless pairing of pink and white hydrangea bushes. With the right plant selection, care, and creative planting arrangements, you can enjoy these complementary colors from early summer through fall. Any gardener would be lucky to showcase these elegant shrubs.
Common Questions About Pink Hydrangeas
All hydrangeas may lose some of their color as the blooms age, but if you have a Bigleaf or Mountain Hydrangea, which can change color depending on how acidic their soil is, it’s possible that the soil is changing the color of your plant. Check the pH level of your soil to see if it’s more than 7 or if it has aluminum in it.
Types of Pink Hydrangea
There are many varieties to pick from, some of which have flowers that can turn blue or pink. Your yard will soon be known for its stunning beauty. Here are just a few of our favorites:
Vanilla Strawberry: This variety has a delicious name, and its flowers change color throughout the warm months. They start out creamy white, then turn irresistible pink, and finally end up deep burgundy. You can enjoy all three colors at the same time because the flowers bloom all spring and summer long. This pink hydrangea is a favorite of pollinators and will also bring butterflies, hummingbirds, and helpful bees to your yard. You can also get this variety as a pink hydrangea tree. It can grow in zones 4–8 and is hardy down to -20 degrees.
Cityline Paris Bigleaf Hydrangea: Add a touch of Parisian elegance to your yard with this elegant hydrangea. This small pink hydrangea shrub was made for urban gardens. It adds bright color to both large and small areas. It has bright pink to red flowers that get deeper in color as it grows older. However, the pH of the soil can change its color, giving it deep pink flowers in alkaline soils and blue flowers in more acidic ones. This colorful type can grow in zones 5–9 and is hardy down to -10 degrees. It grows to a height of 2–3 feet.
Endless Summer Hydrangea: This variety is always a favorite, and Endless Summer has one of the longest flowering seasons of all hydrangeas. Buds start to appear in early spring and last until Thanksgiving. There are many varieties to choose from. The Pop Star variety has beautiful pink flowers, and the Original Reblooming variety can bloom either pink or blue depending on how acidic the soil is.
Best White Hydrangeas / Easy To Grow Varieties For Flower Beds & Borders
FAQ
What are pink and white hydrangeas called?
What is the difference between a hydrangea plant and a hydrangea bush?
Where should you not plant hydrangeas?
What month is best to plant hydrangeas?
What color hydrangeas bloom?
Endless Summer – Among the most widely available bigleaf hydrangeas, the color of these blooms can be changed from bright blue to deep pink by growers by simply adjusting soil pH. Gatsby Pink – An oakleaf type bush, Gatsby Pink produces massive pink and white hydrangea flower spikes.
Which hydrangeas produce white flowers?
Gatsby Pink – An oakleaf type bush, Gatsby Pink produces massive pink and white hydrangea flower spikes. Incrediball Blush – Like many other Incrediball varieties, blush shrubs produce immense white-pink blooms. These plants also demonstrate exceptional cold hardiness.
What types of Hydrangeas are pink?
Pink Hydrangeas belong to the following species, each with different characteristics in terms of hardiness, flower heads, pruning, and much more. Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea): This type of hydrangea is perhaps the most iconic species for those seeking pink blooms.
Are pink hydrangeas easy to grow?
Hydrangeas are easy to grow and hardy so you can enjoy a perfectly pink garden no matter your skill level. Planting hydrangeas is the perfect way to get a dreamy or fairy-tale look without the upkeep required by other flowers. Here are 15 pink hydrangea varieties that deserve a spot in your dream garden. 1. Pia hydrangea
How big does a pink hydrangea grow?
Unlike many hydrangeas that can grow quite large, the petite pink hydrangea reaches a mature height and width of only three to four feet, making it an ideal choice for smaller gardens or containers. Its dwarf stature is particularly suitable for planting in groupings or along garden borders.
What hydrangea is a rosy pink flower?
The charm mophead hydrangea offers a really beautiful rosy pink flower for your garden. Growing from five to seven feet this would be really pretty in a border planting, or planted in a perennial garden. The flowers are your standard mophead shape and size. The foliage of this plant is deep green, which accents the pink blossoms very nicely.