Unique Dwarf Hydrangeas for the Northwest

These unusual beauties demand attention and prime placement despite their small stature

I never think I was much of a hydrangea fan . They seemed ho - hum to me . I usually thought of them as pretty blobs of colour that make a upright setting but are n’t prominent . But just this week I was go through my upper wraith garden and — surprise , surprise — there were many hydrangea there . They were probably engraft as a test for my clients , since hydrangeas are a customer favourite . But I have to accept that the I I found there are fabulous . I have a pursuit to discover strange hydrangea , and I incur that these smaller hydrangea have a short more to give . Pushing their path to the front of the planting bed rather of staying in the background , they are a must - have for any - size garden .

‘Lemon Daddy’ bigleaf hydrangea

H. macrophylla‘Lemon Daddy ’ , Zones 6–9

In a shaded area , bright lime leaves really stand out . ‘ Lemon Daddy ’ hydrangea does that with brilliant foliation that is an galvanising lime with good edition in color . ( But watch out for slug that can on occasion eat the foliage . ) The mophead blooms are white and stay that way throughout the season in my garden . In other locations it has some tendency to sway to the pink side . ‘ Lemon Daddy ’ charter some morning sun but dislikes the hot good afternoon Lord’s Day . Good wet is preferred , but it can take some drought too . Staying about 3 feet marvelous , it is complete for modest garden or as part of a bigger molding .

‘Beni’ mountain hydrangea

H. serrata‘Beni ’ , Zones 6–9

‘ Beni ’ mountain hydrangea went in my garden last yr and is starting to put on some good growth now . The flowers start out a pure blushed white and bit by bit deepen into an amazing , velvet , scarlet red . As pin approaches , they fade toward a darker brick Red River but still keep a velvety feeling . There is nothing quite like it . I have mine plant beneath a red snakebark maple ( Acer capillipes , Zones 5–7 ) , and the ‘ Beni ’ ( Japanese for “ violent ” ) colour bounce around in the mottled wraith . ‘ Beni ’ mountain hydrangea is a slow grower and kickshaw in tincture , so put it toward the front of the bed . Consider surrounding it with midget ‘ White Sensation ’ astilbe ( Astilbe simplicfolia’White Sensation ’ , Zones 4–9 ) as contrast or ‘ Crimson Fans ’ mukdenia ( Mukdenia‘Crimson Fans ’ , Zones 4–9 ) to recapitulate that pleasant-tasting red coloring material . ‘ Beni ’ blooms mid - July through September . It will produce 4 feet high and just as wide .

‘Fragrant Splash’ hydrangea

H. scandens‘Fragrant Splash ’ , Zones 7–10

Any gardener can be crucify by the horrendous habit of forgetting to save down names of plants that they buy . ‘ Fragrant Splash ’ hydrangea was one of those plant for me . Given to me by a friend who can arise anything from seed , I readily leave the name . plunk down into a pot , it languished for several year until I give it a spot in the garden . Happy where it is planted now , it produces some stunning leaves . The foliage is a mix of square pitch-dark leaves , green - and - bloodless variegate leaves , and sinister - and - green variegated leave — all at the same clock time and on the same subdivision . White lacecap flowers hatch the plant in early springiness , which comes at the end of March in my garden . The leaf and efflorescence are little and dainty , but the fresh , sweet fragrancy draws you down the path to find it . Now it holds its own in the garden bed at about 4 foot marvelous . It can drop , so prune it if you like , or let it weep . To keep the folio color , grow it in partial shade with no good afternoon Dominicus . It care moist , fertile filth .

Golden Crane®hydrangea

H. angustifpetala‘MonLongShou ’ , zone 6–10

Golden Crane ® hydrangea is an introduction from Dan Hinkley . It bloom with white , fragrant flower beleaguer favourable chicken , fertile florets in late March and April . It takes a while for this shrub to get established and live up to its hype , but it is beguiling and perfumed . I planted it to perturb from a theater in the background , and it is stunning now . The fragrance is jasmine - similar and float through the garden in early give . Golden Crane ® likes full to fond spectre , even water , and moist territory . It will eventually reach 3 to 5 metrical foot tall and wide .

New cultivar of hydrangeas are being introduce every year , but looking for the rarer , former sort is even more fun . look for the internet for names can contribute you down the spiral of determine interesting hydrangeas to garner . well-situated to purchase and ship , they will offer hours of entertainment and exercise as you wander around the garden to find just the good pip to found them .

— Susan Calhoun is the owner of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island , Washington .

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Golden Crane hydrangea

Golden Crane® hydrangea spills over with elegant white flowers surrounded with tan, lacey florets for a delicate look.Photo: Susan Calhoun

Lemon Daddy bigleaf hydrangea

The bright yellow-green foliage of ‘Lemon Daddy’ bigleaf hydrangea and its white flowers contrast well with any dark greens or reds planted nearby.Photo: Susan Calhoun

Beni hydrangea