The question, “When do hydrangeas bloom?” is trickier to answer than it seems. Different types of hydrangeas bloom at different times, and some flower much earlier than others. Most hydrangeas flower between late spring and early fall.
Climate, weather patterns, pruning, and how you care for plants can also affect when hydrangeas bloom and make them bloom sooner, later, or not at all. The following tips will help you figure out when your hydrangeas will bloom and how to get them to flower more often.
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Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs grown in gardens across the United States. Known for their large, showy flower heads, hydrangeas provide color and interest to the landscape for months at a time. But when exactly are hydrangeas in bloom? The answer depends on the type of hydrangea.
An Overview of Hydrangea Seasons
As a general rule, most hydrangeas flower from mid-spring through late summer or early fall However, bloom times can vary considerably depending on the species and cultivar
There are three main categories of hydrangea bloom seasons
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Spring-blooming – Flowers emerge in late spring Examples include bigleaf, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangeas.
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Summer-blooming – Flowers emerge in early to mid summer. Examples include smooth and panicle hydrangeas.
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Reblooming – Flowers emerge sporadically from early summer to fall. Examples include Endless Summer® and other reblooming bigleaf cultivars.
Beyond species differences, other factors like climate, winter temperatures, and pruning practices can shift bloom times earlier or later.
Now let’s take a closer look at bloom seasons for specific hydrangea types.
Spring-Blooming Hydrangeas
Bigleaf Hydrangeas
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are among the most popular type grown. They produce large, colorful blooms in shades of pink, blue, or purple.
In warm climates, bigleaf hydrangeas begin flowering in late spring, typically May to early June. Further north, bloom may start closer to mid-summer depending on winter temperatures and spring warmth.
Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, meaning the flower buds are set on stems that grew the previous year. Protecting these stems from winter damage helps ensure good spring flowering.
Popular bigleaf cultivars like ‘Nikko Blue’ and ‘Endless Summer’ bring welcome color to the spring garden.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are prized for their bold foliage and cone-shaped blooms that transform from white to pink.
Native to woodland areas of the Southeastern U.S., oakleaf hydrangeas start blooming in late spring in Zones 7-9, often with camellias and azaleas. In cooler climates, bloom may start closer to early summer.
Like bigleaf hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas set their flower buds on old wood. Providing winter protection allows flower buds to withstand cold weather and open properly in spring.
Climbing Hydrangeas
Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala) are vines that can grow up to 80 feet. Flat, lacy white flowers emerge in late spring to early summer, followed by gorgeous fall foliage.
This plant flowers on old wood. Pruning should be done soon after blooming finishes to allow new growth time to harden off before winter.
Climbing hydrangea thrives in shade and brings classically-shaped hydrangea blooms to trellises, fences, and arbors.
Summer-Blooming Hydrangeas
While spring-blooming hydrangeas flower early in the season, other types wait until the summer heat arrives to put on their show.
Smooth Hydrangeas
Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) are known for their enormous, spherical flower heads that can measure up to a foot across!
Native to woodlands of eastern North America, smooth hydrangeas bloom in early summer, often June. Flower color evolves from green to bright white as blooms mature.
Popular smooth hydrangea cultivars include ‘Annabelle’ and the dwarf ‘Incrediball’. These plants flower on new wood so can be pruned in late winter to control size.
Panicle Hydrangeas
Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) produce conical, pyramid-shaped blooms that transform in color over the season. Flowering starts in mid to late summer, June through August depending on variety.
‘Limelight’ and ‘Little Lime’ panicle hydrangeas open with green blooms that change to white, then pink or red. Others like ‘Quick Fire’ and ‘Little Quick Fire’ flower earlier in summer with blooms that turn deep red.
Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood so can be pruned judiciously in late winter. Removing some of the oldest stems encourages new, vigorous growth that will flower abundantly.
Reblooming Hydrangeas
Reblooming hydrangeas provide the longest season of color, flowering sporadically from early summer through fall frosts.
These bigleaf hydrangea cultivars like Endless Summer® and Twist-n-Shout® produce flowers on both old and new wood. This allows them to flower first on old stems in early summer, take a short break, then flower again on new growth into fall.
Deadheading spent blooms encourages reblooming varieties to continue pushing out new flowers. Well-established plants may produce blooms nonstop from June through October!
Reblooming ability can vary greatly depending on climate. Hot summer areas may see more continuous blooms while cooler climates have more distinct early and late season flower flushes.
Caring for Hydrangeas Through the Seasons
To keep your hydrangeas flowering happily during their bloom season and beyond, provide proper care all year long:
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Spring – Apply mulch around hydrangeas to help retain soil moisture. Prune dead stems on varieties that bloom on new wood.
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Summer – Water during drought to keep plants actively growing. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
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Fall – Leave fading flower heads on oakleaf and panicle hydrangeas for winter interest.
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Winter – Protect bigleaf, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangea flower buds from harsh weather. Avoid excess pruning.
With some planning and personalized care, you can have hydrangeas gracing your garden spring through fall!
Extending the Hydrangea Season with Cut Flowers
Another way to enjoy hydrangeas for months on end is to bring them indoors as cut flowers.
Bigleaf, oakleaf, and lacecap hydrangea blooms can often last 2-3 weeks or more in a vase with proper care. Smooth hydrangeas dry beautifully for floral crafts and arrangements.
Cut hydrangeas once the flowers are fully open for maximum vase life. Place immediately in water and remove any leaves below the water line.
Re-cut stem ends every few days and replace the water to keep blooms looking their best. Display out of direct sun for longest enjoyment of your hydrangea bounty.
The Takeaway
While hydrangea bloom times vary widely, you can enjoy their gorgeous flowers for months by growing a mix of types. Extend the floral display even longer by cutting hydrangeas to decorate inside.
With their diversity, versatility, and long bloom seasons, it’s easy to see why hydrangeas are one of the most beloved flowering shrubs!
What to Know About Hydrangea Growing Season
Another important thing to know about hydrangeas is that old wood hydrangeas flower much earlier than new wood hydrangeas. They also make flower buds much earlier.
New flower buds on wood hydrangeas appear when the plant starts to grow again in the spring. Flower buds on old wood hydrangeas appeared during the previous growing season. Most old wood hydrangea buds form in the summer or fall, after the plant has stopped flowering. These buds stay on the plant all winter.
Hydrangeas that are old and woody can lose their flower buds if you prune them before they flower in the spring. To avoid this, only prune old wood hydrangeas immediately after they flower and before plants produce new buds. New wood hydrangeas can be pruned at more convenient times, but most of the time, they are pruned in the winter when the plants are dormant.
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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
When Do Hydrangeas Bloom?
When hydrangeas will bloom largely depends on the types of hydrangeas you’re growing. Hydrangea types that flower on old wood usually do so in the spring or summer. Types that flower on new wood, on the other hand, usually do so from summer to early fall. There are also reblooming hydrangeas that flower repeatedly throughout the growing season.
Climbing hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, and bigleaf hydrangeas like mophead, lacecap, and mountain hydrangeas all flower on old wood but not on new wood. These plants bloom early in the year and typically flower from May to July.
Panicle and smooth hydrangeas, on the other hand, bloom on new wood and almost always from June to September. In the fall, these late bloomers are the stars of the garden, and their dried flowers can stay on the plant all winter.
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The Spruce / Loren Probish
What month do hydrangeas flower?
FAQ
What months do hydrangeas bloom?
What happens if you don’t cut back hydrangeas?
What is the best time of year to buy hydrangeas?
What is the season of availability for hydrangeas?
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Agapanthus
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Available May-September
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Hydrangea
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Available All Year
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Hypericum
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Available All Year
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Iris
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Available All Year
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Israeli Ruscus
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Available All Year
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Do hydrangeas bloom all summer?
Hydrangeas blooms tend to last for several weeks, if not longer, depending on the variety and the weather in your area. This allows you to enjoy blooms for much of the summer, making it seem as if the Hydrangeas actually do bloom all summer.
When do hydrangeas rebloom?
Reblooming Hydrangeas bloom on old wood in late spring or early summer and again in late summer on new wood. You can enjoy reblooming Hydrangeas for months longer than other varieties. Sometimes reblooming Hydrangeas don’t do as well in hot climates because the heat is too much for the second bloom.
When do bigleaf hydrangeas bloom?
Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) has large, showy flowers in shades of pink or blue. Bigleaf varieties are some of the most tender hydrangea shrubs. Expect them to begin blooming in late spring. They bloom earlier than other types of hydrangeas because they form their flower buds the previous year.
How often do hydrangeas bloom?
Most Hydrangeas only bloom once annually. Some flower on old growth using buds produced the previous year, while others flower on new growth using buds produced during the current season. You will see a few weeks of new flowers as existing buds flower, but most Hydrangeas do not continue producing new buds that will flower after that initial burst.
Why do hydrangeas bloom early?
They bloom earlier than other types of hydrangeas because they form their flower buds the previous year. The tender flower buds overwinter—provided winter temperatures don’t dip too low—and flowers open several weeks earlier than the ever-popular panicle hydrangea varieties.
When do Hydrangea buds form?
Buds form in autumn for Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood and in the spring for Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood. It is essential to know which type you have to prune correctly. Otherwise, you might end up removing buds and reducing the number of blooms you have in the summer.