Are Hydrangeas Annuals or Perennials?

Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs grown in gardens across the United States Their large, showy blooms come in colors like pink, blue, purple, white and even green. But one question many gardeners have is whether these beautiful bushes are annuals or perennials.

The answer is that hydrangeas are perennials. This means they will come back year after year once established. However, there are a few caveats to this that depend on your gardening zone and how you care for them Keep reading to learn more about the perennial nature of hydrangeas

What Makes a Plant a Perennial?

Before diving into specifics on hydrangeas, it helps to understand what makes any plant a perennial

Perennials are plants that live for multiple growing seasons. They may die back to the ground in winter, but the root system survives and produces new growth the following spring. This is in contrast to annuals that complete their entire lifecycle in one season before dying.

Woody plants like shrubs and trees are perennials because their above-ground stems persist over winter. The roots of herbaceous perennials like hostas may die back in winter, but new shoots sprout up when temperatures warm.

So in short, perennials regrow from their root system each year. Annuals must be replanted annually because they only live for one season.

Are All Hydrangeas Perennial?

The vast majority of hydrangeas are woody shrubs making them perennials. Some examples include:

Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) – These are the most commonly grown large-flowered hydrangeas with mophead and lacecap blooms. They are cold hardy to zone 5.
Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) – These produce conical flowers on upright stems. Most varieties are hardy to zone 3.
Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) – These have rounded flowers and are extremely cold tolerant to zone 3.
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) – Named for their oak-shaped leaves, they produce cone-shaped blooms and thrive in zone 5.

The exception is annual hydrangeas. These are typically smaller container plants that are not winter hardy. They are best treated as annuals and replaced each year. Some examples include:

Hydrangea macrophylla hortensia – A dwarf mophead only hardy to zone 7.
Hydrangea serrata ‘Beni Gaku’ – A lacecap type hardy to zone 6.

Caring for Hydrangeas as Perennials

Since hydrangeas are perennials, they only need to be planted once in your garden. But there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they thrive year after year:

Choose the right variety – Pay attention to the zone hardiness rating and choose one suited for your area. Planting a variety that is not cold hardy will turn it into an accidental annual.
Provide winter protection – In colder climates, wrap or cover hydrangeas with burlap in late fall to protect from desiccating winter winds.
Avoid excessive pruning – Only prune out dead stems, as heavy pruning removes the next season’s flower buds.
Leave spent blooms – Do not deadhead hydrangeas. The dried flowers help insulate the plant over winter.
Water during droughts – Give hydrangeas a good soaking at least once a week in hot, dry weather. Wilting and drooping leaves are signs they need water.

Follow these tips and your hardy hydrangeas should continue flowering every summer for years to come. The exception would be if temperatures dip below the plant’s hardiness zone or if you accidentally damage the root system. But in most cases, they will reliably return as perennials.

Treating Tender Hydrangeas as Annuals

While most hydrangeas are perennials, you can treat more tender varieties as annuals. Here are some examples of how to do this:

Container Hydrangeas

Many of the hydrangeas sold at florists and garden centers around Mother’s Day are intended as gift plants or annuals for containers. Some examples are:

Hydrangea macrophylla – These plants with pink or blue mophead flowers are usually only hardy to zone 7, making them annuals in cooler climates.
Hydrangea serrata – Lacecap types like ‘Blue Billow’ areannuals where winters get colder than zone 6.
Hydrangea paniculata – Though most are perennial, compact panicle hydrangeas like ‘Little Lime’ may be annuals in zone 5 or colder.

You can plant these hydrangeas in containers for the season. Just don’t expect them to survive the winter. Bring containers indoors before frost or toss the plants at the end of the season.

Forcing Hydrangeas

Forcing hydrangeas to bloom indoors in winter is another way to treat them as annuals.

Choose a perennial variety suited to your outdoor zone like ‘Endless Summer’. Plant it in a container and grow it outside all summer.

In fall, cut the stems back by half and move the potted plant to a cool, dark location with temperatures around 55°F for at least 6 weeks. This mimics winter dormancy.

After the chilling period, move the hydrangea back into bright light and warmer temperatures around 70°F. Water sparingly at first. With luck, it will begin flowering in just a few weeks!

Cut off flowers as they fade and enjoy this annual indoor display for as long as possible. Then toss the plant once flowering finishes.

Accidental Annuals

Another way hydrangeas can end up as annuals is by choosing a variety that isn’t hardy in your zone. The roots likely won’t survive your winter temperatures.

For example, planting a bigleaf hydrangea rated for zone 7 in a region with zone 5 winters. Or choosing a panicle hydrangea suited for zone 5 when you live in zone 3.

This turns them into unintentional annuals. Just don’t expect the plants to return the following year after the cold season.

Key Takeaways

To wrap up, here are the key points to remember:

Nearly all hydrangeas are perennial shrubs and regrow each year once established.
A small number of varieties are annuals only suited to container growing.
You can intentionally treat potted or tender hydrangeas as annuals.
Accidental annuals happen when you choose a variety not hardy for your zone.
Caring correctly for hydrangeas as perennials means choosing cold hardy types, providing winter protection, proper watering and minimal pruning.

So be sure to select the right hydrangea varieties for your climate if you want these beautiful blossoms to return year after year. With the proper care, most will thrive in your garden for years to come as herbaceous or woody perennials.

are hydrangeas annuals or perennials

Explaining Annual, Biennial, and Perennial

are hydrangeas annuals or perennials

While you may be familiar with these terms, it’s important to understand exactly what they mean. It’s also important to understand that many plants can be perennial to specific hardiness zones, but annuals to another.

Colder climates can be a bit harsh, which isn’t always great for plants that need hotter climates. So you may find a plant as a perennial in the south, but only able to be planted as an annual in the norther parts of the country. Let’s take a deeper look.

An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from seed germination to the production of seeds within one growing season and then dies. The end goal for an annual plant is to produce seed so that the plant will be able to reproduce. Annuals will continue to flower all season long until their job is complete.The best way to extend the bloom time is by deadheading until the first frost. Marigolds and petunias are examples of flowering garden annuals.

A biennial is a plant that takes two years to grow to fruition and then dies. Generally grown in a temperate climate. Biennial plant growth begins with seeds that produce the roots, stems and leaves during the first growing season. During the second season the plant growth completes with the formation of flowers, fruit and seeds. Many biennials reseed and then the plant usually dies. Foxglove, delphinium and stock are examples of flowering biennials.

A perennial plant is a plant that lives for more than two years. If they are cold hardy the top growth will die back with the frost and grow back in the spring. When grown in good conditions perennials will have a nice long life. This is a very broad category of plants and each one comes with its own maintenance checklist.

Perennials are great to propagate at home. You can do this by layering right in your garden, or by taking cuttings and rooting them in some growing material. Another way to get more perennials is by dividing. Do this in the spring or fall, and your garden will keep on growing! Hostas, Echinacea, and Huchera are examples of perennials.

Hardiness Zones for Hydrangeas

are hydrangeas annuals or perennials

Most hydrangeas are hardy in USDA zones 3-7, however you will find some types of hydrangeas are hardy up to zone 9. And some varieties actually do better in colder climates, or even in the shade.

A plant’s hardiness describes their ability to survive adverse growing conditions, most specifically how well it tolerates a harsh winter. This means that most hydrangeas can tolerate a pretty cold winter and come back blooming just as well the next season.

Are Hydrangeas Annual Or Perennial

FAQ

Do hydrangeas come back every year?

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Perennial Nature:

Hydrangeas are perennials, meaning they live for more than two years, and their roots and stems survive the winter, allowing them to return in the spring.
Climate Considerations:

While hydrangeas are generally hardy, some varieties are more cold-hardy than others, and choosing the right variety for your specific climate is crucial for ensuring their survival and bloom.
Re-blooming Varieties:

Some hydrangeas, like the “Endless Summer” series, are known for their re-blooming ability, meaning they can bloom multiple times throughout the growing season.
Pruning:

Pruning can affect the timing and abundance of blooms, so it’s important to understand the specific pruning needs of your hydrangea variety.
Container Gardening:

Hydrangeas can also be grown in containers, which can provide more flexibility in terms of climate and location, but they may need extra care during colder months.

Do hydrangeas like sun or shade?

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Ideal Conditions:
Hydrangeas generally prefer morning sun and afternoon shade.

In hot climates, afternoon shade is essential to prevent the plants from drying out.

They also do well in partial shade, where they receive filtered light or a few hours of full sun.
Hydrangeas that can tolerate full sun:
Some varieties, like panicle hydrangeas (e.g., Limelight, Quick Fire), are more sun-tolerant.

Other sun-tolerant varieties include Incrediball and Cityline hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas that prefer shade:
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) need some sun to produce blooms, but prefer more shade in warm climates.

Climbing hydrangeas bloom reliably in shaded conditions.
Factors to Consider:
Climate: In hotter climates, afternoon shade is especially important.

Soil: Hydrangeas prefer moist, well-drained soil.

Watering: They are moisture-loving plants, so ensure they receive adequate water, especially in sunny locations.

Species: Different hydrangea species have varying sun tolerance levels.

How do I know if my hydrangea is perennial?

Is Hydrangea a perennial? Yes, Hydrangeas are perennials: they go dormant in winter and come back in the spring on their own, assuming you’ve planted varieties suited for your Zone. Gardeners in northern Zones must take care to choose winter-hardy varieties.

Where is the best place to plant a hydrangea?

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Sunlight:

Hydrangeas generally prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in warmer climates.
Soil:

They thrive in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Location:
East side of a home: Often provides the ideal morning sun and afternoon shade.

North or east-facing walls/fences: Offer protection from harsh afternoon sun.

Avoid south-facing positions: Especially if the soil is dry.

Avoid planting under trees: Root competition and lack of sunlight can hinder growth.

Protect from strong winds: Hydrangeas can be vulnerable to wind damage.
Hydrangea Varieties:
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) and Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens): Prefer partial shade.

Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata): Can tolerate more direct sunlight.
Other Considerations:
Soil pH: The pH of the soil can influence the color of some hydrangea varieties (e.g., acidic soil can lead to blue or purple flowers, while alkaline soil can result in pink flowers).

Water: Hydrangeas need consistent moisture, especially during the summer months.

Mulch: Adding mulch can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Frost: Protect young growth from spring frosts.

Can a hydrangea be treated as an annual?

They can be treated as annuals in zones they are not perennials. You may opt to treat a hydrangea as an annual, however. Choosing a hydrangea that is not suited for your climate is a good way to accidentally end up with an annual hydrangea.

Are hydrangeas perennials?

Another way to get more perennials is by dividing. Do this in the spring or fall, and your garden will keep on growing! Hostas, Echinacea, and Huchera are examples of perennials. Most hydrangeas are hardy in USDA zones 3-7. Most hydrangeas are hardy in USDA zones 3-7, however you will find some types of hydrangeas are hardy up to zone 9.

How long do hydrangeas last?

Common annual flowers include petunias, marigolds, and zinnias. Perennials persist for many years. They go dormant in winter then re-sprout the following spring. Perennial plants often have woody stems that don’t die back. Examples include peonies, coneflowers, and hydrangeas. Biennials take two years to complete their life cycle.

How many types of Hydrangeas are there?

Hydrangeas are flowering shrubs that come in 75 different species. Those beauties are also known as hortensias. Hydrangeas are native to Asia and the Americas. Eastern Asia has by far the highest species variety, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan.

Can hydrangeas survive beyond one season?

In this article, I discuss the particularities of perennial hydrangeas and how you can help ‘gift hydrangeas’ survive beyond just one season. Hydrangeas are herbaceous or woody perennials that go dormant in winter and come back in spring, shooting new growths and producing blooms throughout spring and summer.

What Makes a Plant a Perennial?

Are All Hydrangeas Perennial?

Caring for Hydrangeas as Perennials