What is the Smallest Hydrangea? A Guide to Miniature Varieties

Hydrangeas are prized for their large, showy flower heads that bloom throughout the summer. But many gardeners hesitate to plant them due to their potential to grow quite large. Some hydrangea shrubs can reach up to 15 feet tall and wide! Fortunately, there are many dwarf and miniature hydrangea varieties that stay compact, ideal for small spaces.

Why Choose a Small Hydrangea?

There are several benefits to selecting a petite hydrangea variety:

• Good for small gardens or planting in containers on a patio or balcony
• Easier to manage and maintain without frequent pruning
• Provide gorgeous blooms without taking over the landscape
• Can be used in creative ways like edging walkways, small hedges or in mixed borders

The Very Smallest Hydrangeas

If you’re looking for true miniatures, here are some of the smallest hydrangea varieties that max out under 3 feet tall and wide:

Invincibelle Wee White – This mini hydrangea is an ‘Annabelle’ type and one of the tiniest hydrangeas, reaching just 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Large, rounded flower panicles start out blush pink, fading to creamy white before aging to green.

Little Lime – A dwarf panicle hydrangea that grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. Lime green flowers turn pinkish-red in fall.

Bobo – Cute dwarf panicle hydrangea with large white flower heads fading to pink Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Fire Light Tidbit – A panicle hydrangea with white blooms changing to pinkish-red. Extremely compact at just 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.

Tiny Tuff Stuff – A petite lacecap hydrangea growing 1.5 to 2 feet tall and wide with lavender to pinkish blooms.

Compact Hydrangeas Under 4 Feet

These hydrangeas are still quite petite, maxing out at just under 4 feet tall and wide:

• Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue – A reblooming bigleaf hydrangea that grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Produces blue or pink flowers depending on soil pH.

• Mini Penny – Bigleaf hydrangea with large blue or pink blooms. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.

• Little Quick Fire – Panicle hydrangea with white blooms turning bright pink. Grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.

• Munchkin – Oakleaf hydrangea with huge conical white blooms that turn pink. Grows up to 4 feet tall and wide.

Using Miniature Hydrangeas in the Landscape

There are so many creative ways to utilize petite hydrangeas in your outdoor space:

• Plant in containers on a patio, deck or balcony
• Edge a pathway or walkway
• Use as a low hedge or border
• Tuck them into mixed flower beds and borders
• Place in an herb garden or veggie garden
• Use as a flowering groundcover on slopes or banks

Mini hydrangeas are also ideal for cut flowers – their smaller size makes them perfect for arranging in vases and centerpieces.

Caring for Small Hydrangeas

While miniature hydrangea varieties are naturally compact, you may still need to do some occasional pruning to shape the plant and encourage flowering. But in general they require less frequent pruning than larger hydrangeas.

Here are some other care tips for keeping your petite hydrangeas looking their best:

• Provide partial sun to part shade exposure
• Water regularly to keep soil moist, not soggy
• Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture
• Prune just after flowering by removing spent blooms and any dead wood
• Protect from harsh winter winds and freezing temperatures

Choosing a petite hydrangea variety is a great option for small space gardens. Their abundant blooms and grace will make a big impact, even in the most pint-sized garden plot.