Designer Lily Pulitzer once said, “Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.” Though she wasn’t talking about flowers specifically, she’d likely agree that a pink garden is a happy one. Though there is no shortage of rosy-colored flowers, the beauty of pink hydrangeas is hard to top. If your dream garden is full of fuchsia, bubble gum, and blush, there are 15 pink hydrangea varieties sure to tickle you pink.
Hydrangeas are showy shrubs that come in different shapes, like round mopheads, conical panicles, and umbrella-like florets. They range in size from adorable and petite to spectacular and grand, but don’t let their splendor intimidate you. Hydrangeas are easy to grow and hardy so you can enjoy a perfectly pink garden no matter your skill level. Planting hydrangeas is the perfect way to get a dreamy or fairy-tale look without the upkeep required by other flowers. Here are 15 pink hydrangea varieties that deserve a spot in your dream garden.
1. Pia hydrangea
Pia hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), also called big leaf hydrangeas, are beautiful shrubs with vibrant pink blooms. The hue ranges from a purple-leaning magenta to vivid fuchsia. Pias are a dwarf species, meaning they are a smaller alternative to a traditionally large plant. However, don’t doubt the power of the pia because it is still as showy as its larger cousins.
Bloom Season: Summer
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USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9
Growing Conditions: Partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
2. Summer Crush® hydrangea
Endless Summer Crush® hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer® Summer Crush®) are worthy of such a dreamy name. Also a smaller hydrangea species, this variety comes in a bright pink that would make Barbie jealous. When the blooms open, they have a lime-colored center that will turn pink as the flower matures. Like other species, the Endless Summer Crush® is showy yet low-maintenance, making it a great choice for new gardeners who want to grow statement flowers.
Bloom Season: Summer through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 4 to 9
Growing Conditions: Partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
3. Vanilla Strawberry™ hydrangea
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Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) look just as delicious as they sound. The flowers have a gradient that goes from cream to a delicate pink. They’re larger than the Pia or Endless Summer Crush varieties and can proudly tower above your tallest guest. They’re also better at tolerating freezing temperatures. So, if you live in a region that experiences freezing temperatures often, this sweet pink shrub may be perfect for you.
Bloom Season: Summer
USDA Growing Zone: 3 to 8
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall, 4 to 5 feet wide
4. Fire Light® hydrangea
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Fire Light® Hardy Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata Fire Light®) are a great choice if you have yet to develop a green thumb. They have all the splendor and beauty of hydrangeas but are sturdy and require less support when compared to other varieties. When opening, the blooms are crisp white and gradually turn pink during the fall. This species is also appropriate for gardeners who want a sizable shrub without overpowering their yard. Fire Light Hardy Hydrangeas grow to about 6 feet.
Bloom Season: Summer through Fall
USDA Growing Zone: 3 to 8
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall, 6 to 8 feet wide
5. Pinky Winky® hydrangea
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The delightfully named Pinky Winky® hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky®) has cone-shaped panicles or blooms that start off white and gradually turn pink in the fall. Gardeners love using this variety as a border plant or flashy statement shrub. According to reviews, the pinky winky is a favorite because of its many blooms. Others praise it for being hardy and low-maintenance. Because of its shift from white to pink, this variety is great for anyone who enjoys seeing seasonal color changes.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 4 to 8
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall, 8 to 10 feet wide
6. Ruby Slippers hydrangea
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Ruby slippers hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are beautiful enough to make the Wicked Witch jealous. Another conical variety of hydrangea, ruby slippers start white in the summer and become a deep, rosy color during the fall. Their leaves also shift from green to dark red. They grow in compact clusters that reach about 4 to 5 feet tall. They’ll withstand a harsh summer but are unable to thrive in freezing temperatures.
Bloom Season: Summer through Fall
USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, or clay soil that has an acidic or neutral pH
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall, 4 to 5 feet wide
7. Cityline® Paris hydrangea
Proven Winners
If you love hydrangeas but don’t have the space for a 6-foot-tall shrub, you’ll appreciate the Cityline Paris hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla Cityline® Paris). It’s one of the smallest hydrangea varieties, coming in at 2 feet tall or shorter. Like the Endless Summer crush variety, these flowers gradually shift from a lively lime to a hot pink. This species is great for apartment dwellers who also want to experience the majestic beauty of pink hydrangeas.
Bloom Season: Summer through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
8. Queen of Hearts hydrangea
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The Queen of Hearts hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a statement-making crossbreed with long-lasting blooms. They begin producing white flowers in the summer that will become vivid pink in the fall. Much like other species, its leaves will also become darker and more red. The U.S. National Aborteum suggests planting the Queen of Hearts as a border shrub, statement flower, or among other flowers of varying heights.
Bloom Season: Summer
USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
Size: 5 to 6 feet tall, 7 to 9 feet wide
9. Akadama® hydrangea
Star Roses and Plants
Akadama® hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla SK2DAMA) are for the true fans of pink who want to surround themselves with vibrant colors. They have rounded flower clusters like many of the stereotypical hydrangea species. This variety blooms in pink and gets darker as the flower matures. So it goes from pink to pinker. Akadama® hydrangeas are compact and work well as container flowers but are also used to line buildings, walkways, and gardens.
Bloom Season: Spring through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 6 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial sun
Soil Type: Moist soil, the pH should be higher than 5.5 for pink flowers
Size: 4 to 5 feet tall, 4 to 5 feet wide
10. Pink Dynamo™ hydrangea
Spring Hill Nursery
Stand back and marvel at the bright Pink Dynamo hydrangea™ (Hydrangea serrata ‘JPD01’). Unlike rounded mophead and cone-shaped panicle varieties, the Pink Dynamo is a lacecap hydrangea with flat flowers. It’s a smaller species, growing under 3 feet tall, so there are many ways it can be displayed. The best thing about this variety is its ability to rebloom. So you can have a recurring wave of pink in your garden.
Bloom Season: Early summer through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Well-drained soil
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
11. Flare™ hydrangea
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As the name would suggest, Flare™ hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kolmavesu’) are stylish and showy. They’re bold yet are relatively small when compared to other hydrangeas. They grow up to 3 feet tall and will look beautiful in a large enough pot or container. Their flowers grow in white conical clusters and become a deep pink. If you like to observe seasonal color changes, you’ll appreciate the gradual bottom-to-top color shift of the panicle flowers.
Bloom Season: Early summer through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 3 to 8
Growing Conditions: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Well-drained soil
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
12. Pinkerella hydrangea
Spring Hill Nursery
Pinkerella hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Kolpinbel’) are fit for a fairy tale garden. If pink is your thing, you’ll adore the Pinkerella’s bubble gum-colored petals that grow in rounded cap-like clusters. They bloom in the summer and into the fall, but they can have additional appeal in the winter after they’ve dried. They’re medium-sized hydrangeas, typically ranging from 4 to 5 feet tall. Use them to create a whimsical pathway or inviting garden space.
Bloom Season: Mid to late summer
USDA Growing Zone: 3 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Well-drained soil with a moderate volume of organic matter
Size: 4 to 5 feet tall, 4 to 5 feet wide
13. Little Quick Fire® hydrangeas
Proven Winners
Little Quick Fire hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata Little Quick Fire®) are another dwarf species that comes in under 5 feet. It is a smaller variation of the Quick Fire hydrangea known for its early blooming. Little Quick Fire hydrangeas are among the first flowers to bloom in the summer. They grow in white and transform into a flashy pinky red. They’re adaptable hydrangeas so long as their moderate water requirements are met.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 3 to 8
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial sun
Soil Type: Well-drained soil with a moderate volume of organic matter
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall, 4 to 7 feet wide
14. Glowing Embers hydrangea
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Glowing Embers hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla Glowing Embers) deserve to be the star of your garden. Their color, which can range from ruby to mauve, is determined by the acidity of the soil. For example, soil with a pH of 6.5 will cause the flowers to be a vivid pink. No matter their hue, the flowers grow in the famous orbicular mophead form often associated with hydrangeas. Glowing Embers are charming additions to butterfly gardens and outdoor gathering spaces.
Bloom Season: Fall
USDA Growing Zone: 6 to 9
Growing Conditions: Dappled sun, partial sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Well-drained soil, pH determines the color of the flower
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide
15. Miss Saori hydrangeas
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Miss Saori hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla Miss Saori) are award-winning flowers that you can enjoy at home. They are another dwarf species that grows up to 4 feet tall, and the layered flower petals are white with vivid pink borders. You can plant this variety as an attractive border or even in a container on your patio. It grows compactly and is easy to maintain when pruned and watered regularly.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer through fall
USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial sun
Soil Type: Well-drained loamy, sandy, or clay soil that has an acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH level
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide
