Heights of Hydrangea Bushes

Climbing Hydrangea

• The climbing hydrangea (H. anomala subsp. petiolaris) grows to three feet tall as an unsupported shrub, but from 30 to 50 feet as a vine when provided with support. It is native to China and Japan and tolerates lows to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 4. The climbing hydrangea has lustrous, dark, heart-shaped foliage and blooms with clusters of white flowers in late spring to early summer. It grows best in cool, partially shaded sites. Cultivars include Firefly, which grows to the same heights but has variegated foliage.

Bigleaf Hydrangea

• The bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla) grows to six feet tall with an equal spread. This Japanese native is cold-hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or USDA zone 6. It has a rounded form and medium-green, 8-inch-long foliage with serrated margins. Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom in mid-summer and grows best in partial to full shade. Cultivars include the 3-foot-tall Golden Sunlight, the 4-foot-tall All Summer Beauty, the 5-foot-tall Madame Emile Mouillere and the 7-foot-tall Blue Wave.

Smooth Hydrangea

• Smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) grows from three to six feet tall in a rounded shape. This North American native blooms with 6-inch clusters of white-pink flowers from late spring through summer. It grows best in partial shade and has dark, serrated foliage. Smooth hydrangeas are hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrneheit, or USDA zone 3. Cultivars include the 4-foot-tall Annabelle and 5-foot-tall Grandiflora, both of which produce large clusters of white flowers, and the 4-foot tall Sterilis.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

• The oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) is native to the southeastern U.S. and grows to eight feet tall with an 8- to 12-foot spread. This upright, rounded shrub grows well in sunny to partially shaded exposures and is cold-hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or USDA zone 5. It has lobed, serrated foliage and blooms in summer with panicles of white flowers that age to pink. Cultivars include the 15-foot-tall Alice, 10-foot-tall Alison and Harmony, 8-foot-tall Snowflake, and 4-foot-tall Pee Wee and Sikes Dwarf.

Panicle Hydrangea

• The panicle or peegee hydrangea (H. paniculata) grows as a tall shrub or small tree, reaching 10 to 20 feet tall. This fast-growing plant has cascading, arching branches covered with dark, slightly hairy foliage and blooms from summer through fall with fragrant, white flowers that age to pink. It prefers partial to full shade and is cold-hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Panicle hydrangeas are native to China and Japan. Cultivars range widely in size and include the 5-foot-tall Pee Wee, 7-foot-tall Brussels Lace, 8-foot-tall Limelight, 13-foot-tall Melody and Unique, and 15-foot-tall Praecox.