Mophead Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Also listed as Hydrangea hortensis, Hortensia japonica
Also known as French Hydrangea, Common Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea
Climate Match for your location
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Mophead hydrangea is a deciduous shrub prized for its large, showy flower heads in pink, blue, or purple depending on soil pH. It thrives in part shade with consistent moisture and produces blooms mid-summer through fall.
Why grow it
Mophead hydrangea offers larger individual flower clusters than panicle or oakleaf hydrangeas, making it a strong choice for bold visual impact in mid-summer gardens. The bloom color responds to soil pH, providing a tool for deliberate garden color schemes that other hydrangeas lack to the same degree. It reaches modest mature size (3-6 feet) compared to some oakleaf cultivars, suiting smaller landscapes where space is limited.
Watch out for
Flower bud formation occurs in late summer and fall, making late-season hard pruning counterproductive; many gardeners prune only to remove dead wood. Consistent soil moisture is essential, particularly during establishment and heat stress, as irregular watering can cause bud drop or reduced flowering. In regions with late spring frosts, new growth can be damaged, resulting in reduced bloom that season.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Nikko Blue is a classic cultivar with deep blue flowers; Endless Summer reblooms on new wood extending the season; Incrediball produces massive pure white blooms and is notably hardy and disease-resistant.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Mophead hydrangea is a deciduous shrub prized for its large, showy flower heads in pink, blue, or purple depending on soil pH. It thrives in part shade with consistent moisture and produces blooms mid-summer through fall.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mophead Hydrangea grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Mophead hydrangea offers larger individual flower clusters than panicle or oakleaf hydrangeas, making it a strong choice for bold visual impact in mid-summer gardens. The bloom color responds to soil pH, providing a tool for deliberate garden color schemes that other hydrangeas lack to the same degree. It reaches modest mature size (3-6 feet) compared to some oakleaf cultivars, suiting smaller landscapes where space is limited.
Watch out for
Flower bud formation occurs in late summer and fall, making late-season hard pruning counterproductive; many gardeners prune only to remove dead wood. Consistent soil moisture is essential, particularly during establishment and heat stress, as irregular watering can cause bud drop or reduced flowering. In regions with late spring frosts, new growth can be damaged, resulting in reduced bloom that season.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Nikko Blue is a classic cultivar with deep blue flowers; Endless Summer reblooms on new wood extending the season; Incrediball produces massive pure white blooms and is notably hardy and disease-resistant.