Hydrangea - an isolated genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Hortensia. The family is represented by small trees and shrubs. The genus includes up to 80 species of plants, widely popular in Asia, Europe and America. Some species, more adapted to the conditions of detention, are often found in China and Japan. Many varieties have gained popularity among domestic gardeners due to the unsurpassed appearance, durability and unpretentiousness.
Our article presents various types and varieties of hydrangeas with names that will allow each gardener to study the characteristics of each and make a choice in favor of a particular type.
Did you know? The plant was named in honor of the beautiful princess Hortense, who was the sister of the prince of the Roman Empire.
Large-leaved hydrangea
Large-leaved hydrangea - tall ornamental shrub, a distinctive feature of which is uncharacteristically large leaves. In favorable growing conditions and with proper care can reach 2.5-3 meters in height. 
Inflorescences have a rounded shape and, depending on the species, may have a different color, ranging from soft blue to pink.
In general, caring for this type of flower comes down to caring for the soil, regular watering and occasional fertilizer, but creating conditions for the quality of the soil and the amount of sunlight is slightly difficult. In view of this, it was impossible to speak of planting large-leaf plants in our country earlier. Fortunately, new, more adapted varieties of this decorative look appear regularly. 
So, the hydrangea garden variety Blaumais is a modern breakthrough in domestic gardening, because, due to the peculiarities of shrub growth, it was previously only gardeners with a lot of experience who could grow it properly. With the breeding of such varieties, the landing was significantly simplified, and the exactingness of the plant for care decreased.
Large-leaved hydrangea, whose winter-hardy varieties prevail in the domestic market of ornamental plants, it is rather easy to tolerate difficult climatic conditions and changeable weather. Best suited for landing in the middle lane of our country.
Important! Despite the relative winter hardiness of this species, immature and / or young shrubs do not tolerate strong frosts, so it is strongly recommended to cover the plant for the winter.
Hydrangea
Tree hydrangea - one of the most popular types of tall ornamental shrubs. The homeland of this species is North America, where the shrub often grows over 4-5 meters (in Russian gardens it rarely exceeds 2-3 meters). 
The leaves are a species of large size, opposite, saturated green color. Inflorescences of spherical shape, reaching 20 cm in diameter, are formed at the top of annual shoots. The initial greenish color of the flowers eventually turns into a soft cream.
Individual varieties have a significant number of fertile inflorescences, but at the same time in the Russian gardens you can often find shrubs with absolutely sterile inflorescences. Thus, the variety of adapted varieties of this species makes it possible to make a choice in favor of the shrub that most harmoniously fits into the garden.
This species is extremely unpretentious and mostly includes adapted and winter-resistant varieties of hydrangea. The plant easily tolerates a slight darkening, heavy ground and any neighborhood.
It is noteworthy that the annual shoots of a flower, as a rule, do not have time to fully mature before autumn, therefore they frost up during the winter period. However, to restore the bush enough minor spring pruning and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. At the same time annual flowering is guaranteed. 
Due to the climatic conditions of our region in Russian gardens, it blooms one of the first (at the end of June) and continues to bloom until late autumn.
Due to its durability, unpretentiousness and adaptation of the variety, hydrangea trees for the Moscow region are best suited. The most common variety within our state is Sterilis, which is characterized by large spherical inflorescences, consisting of frequent small flowers, reaching 1 cm in diameter.
Hydrangea tree, as a rule, has sterile flowers that provide abundant decorative flowering.
Hydrangea paniculata
Panicle hydrangea - type of ornamental shrub or tree, reaching up to 5 meters in height. Its name was due to the special form of the crown, leaf plate and inflorescences. In the wild, this plant is found in China, Japan, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. At the same time, in their natural habitat, trees and bushes of the species often exceed 5-7 meters in height, while maintaining proportions to the diameter of the crown. 
In Russian gardens, this plant is rightfully one of the most ornamental plants, which, at its own discretion, can be grown in one form or another (shrub, single-trunk and multi-stem tree).
The shoots have a brown color and quickly turn wood, which determines resistance to difficult climatic conditions. Its leaves are oblong, located opposite. Inflorescences are located on the majority of young shoots, which guarantees abundant annual blooming. The appearance of the buds occurs at the end of June - the beginning of July, but their blooming is slow, because of which it begins to bloom in full force only in August - September. 
The inflorescences of this type of ornamental shrub differ in a pyramidal form and consist of a mixture of frequent sterile and fertile greenish flowers, which eventually acquire a delicate cream color. In the autumn period with sufficient sunlight, the inflorescences change color to pink, brick or pale purple.
This type of ornamental plant is very unpretentious and resistant even to the conditions of the north-west of our country.
Not long ago, only separate garden forms and varieties of paniculate hydrangea were cultivated in Russian gardens, but thanks to the efforts of breeders, tree hydrangeas and paniculata receive regularly new varieties. Fortunately, almost every new representative of the species, even in spite of the climatic conditions, is to some extent prepared for cultivation in the gardens of our country.
Also, your garden will be able to decorate other garden flowers: hazel grouse, bathing, bathing vessel, peony, gaillardia, mimulyus, gazany.
To date, the most common variety of this plant is Grandiflora, which is characterized by large dense inflorescences (the length of which, as a rule, reaches 30-35 cm), mainly consisting of sterile flowers. Fertile flowers are only on the top of the brushes. The variety has gained popularity due to its large size, attractive appearance and, above all, the sweet honey aroma.
Varieties of hydrangea paniculata are winter-hardy, but do not forget that young shrubs always need reliable protection for the period of wintering. To do this, additionally prikopat root system and cover it with leaves, and tie the shoots.
Did you know? Hortensia paniculata differs from others in its unusually long lifespan and long-lasting preservation of the decorative appearance. At one place shrub can grow more than 40 years.
Hydrophobic oak
Hydrophobic oak - Deciduous ornamental flowering shrub, reaching a height of one meter.
This species is distinguished by unusually large (up to 20 cm in length) 5-7-lobed leaf plates. Depending on the season, their color varies from dark green in summer to purple in autumn. The bottom side of the sheet is white. Outwardly, they are similar to oak leaf. 
The inflorescences are conic-shaped panicles 20 cm long. Large white flowers, the diameter of which is usually 3-4 cm, are densely located over the entire surface of the brush.
Hydrophobic oakwhose winter hardiness is one of its advantages, sometimes needs seasonal shelter. As a rule, this refers to young or ill shrubs. Moreover, before wintering the soil around it is best to loosen 15-20 cm. Thus, it is possible to effectively protect the root system of the plant from freezing.
Important! Dubolist hydrangea is extremely moisture-loving, so it is necessary for it to ensure regular watering in sufficient volume (based on the size of the plant). Moreover, it is necessary to carefully care for the soil, loosening it and promptly clearing from weeds.Oakolistnye hydrangeas, varieties of which are best suited for growing in Russian gardens, are not very popular, but they fully deserve it due to the leaves completely unique to this shrub.
Pedicel hydrangea
Pedicel hydrangea - perennial ornamental plant, which is a flowering vine. It is because of this appearance that this species is also called curly. 
In its wild form, it is most often found in the expanses of the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, China and Japan, where it often reaches 20-25 meters in length. In terms of growing in Russian gardens, its size is significantly smaller. A flower is not only simply fixed on a support with the help of its aerial roots, but can also creep along the ground, but in this case the plant will not bloom.
The leaf plate of this species is wide, with a characteristic heart-shaped base. Inflorescences are loose umbrellas, reaching 20-25 cm in diameter. Their color (white-green, lilac, pink and others) depends on the variety. 
Stalked look differs in high frost resistance, but in some cases (at especially severe frosts) it can freeze slightly. In view of this, young shoots in the first frost are best removed from a support and sheltered for wintering under snow.
We can safely say that the best varieties of hydrangea to create a hedge belong to this type. But at the same time, it makes special demands on the conditions of detention, so the view in the open spaces of our state is rare, but deserves attention.
Important! The stalked hydrangea is extremely whimsical to the quality and component composition of the soil. So, any insignificant deviation from the required conditions of maintenance can cause a disease of a plant or even its death.
Hortensia serrate
Hortensia serrate - treelike ornamental shrub, reaching a height of 1.5 meters. It features a lush crown of large diameter and bright green oval-shaped leaves, pointed at the top. Shrub hydrangea serrata attributed to annuals. 
The inflorescences of the plant have the shape of a ball, while the blue color inside it is richer than on the edge. At the end of flowering inflorescences become pale pink. It is noteworthy that in some cases the color of the flowers may be different, since for this species it directly depends on the acidity of the soil on the site.
This shrub blooms from late June to September, often surpassing other types of hydrangea in beauty. She easily transfers possible transplants, even despite the quality of planting soil, but during the entire period of growth and flowering she prefers moderate watering. 
For proper and safe wintering of the bush, you need to cut off faded inflorescences and cover with a thick film. In general, the plant is extremely unpretentious.
It is great for planting in gardens in the middle lane of our state.
Did you know? Hortensia serrata fully adapted to the climatic conditions of our region, therefore, almost never subjected to attacks of garden pests and diseases.
Radiant hydrangea
Hortensia, the species and varieties for which Russian gardens are full of diversity, always attracts domestic gardeners for its amazing beauty and unpretentiousness. Among the most popular species can be safely attributed to her. 
This type of shrub can reach up to 3 meters in height and is characterized by an oval-lanceolate shape of leaf plates, pointed at the top. The external decorative appearance of the plant is provided by a multitude of sterile white flowers combined into massive shields. The flowering period is in the middle of summer and lasts, as a rule, for about a month. Maturation itself falls on the beginning of autumn (September).
Radiant hydrangea does not belong to winter-hardy species, and in the winter period its root system should be carefully protected with dry foliage or embankment.
The growth rate of such a plant is surprisingly high, and reproduction by cuttings is simple and effective. It is because of this that the plant is very often encountered when making landscape design in the southern regions of the country.
Ashen Hydrangea
Ash hydrangea - ornamental shrub (deciduous), capable of reaching up to 2 meters in height. It features a large diameter crown, represented by leaves and young shoots lowered below. 
The leaves of the plant have a wide elliptical shape and can reach sizes up to 15 centimeters. Along the edges of the sheet plates are evenly spaced small teeth.
Inflorescences of carapace form, as a rule, reach 15–20 centimeters in diameter and bloom in the middle of summer (end of June - beginning of July).
She is without much difficulty tolerates the winter climate of our region, however, young garden hydrangea varieties have a reduced winter hardiness, so they may slightly freeze.
A shrub of this species, similarly to a tree, does not impose special requirements on the composition of the soil, its moisture content and fertility, and therefore, ashen hydrangea can rightly be considered indispensable for planting as a decorative hedge.
In your garden you can plant more such shrubs: juniper, dog rose, felt cherry, heather, snowberry.
For this type Flower, you can choose absolutely any place on the site, regardless of the constancy of natural light, watering and acidity of the soil. At the same time, it retains its decorative properties throughout the growing season.
Based on all of the above, we can conclude that at the present time there are numerous types of garden hydrangeas that tolerate the climatic conditions of our region quite easily. 
At the same time, their unsurpassed appearance tirelessly pleases the eye and creates amazing beauty on the garden plot, and winter-hardy varieties, which, by the way, are most often found in our region, guarantee the plant durability and vitality almost under any conditions of detention.
This plant, combining the beauty of flowering and ease of care, can rightly be considered the most appropriate choice for planting on your own backyard.
