How to identify Hydrangeas (Hydrangea)

How to identify Hydrangeas (Hydrangea)

Hydrangeas are distinguished by their lush foliage and large, showy flower clusters known as inflorescences. These inflorescences bloom in a rich variety of hues ranging from snowy white to deep blues, vibrant pinks, and amethyst purples, depending on the soil's pH level. The blooms appear in either globular or flat-topped formations, providing a striking display from early spring through late autumn. Mature shrubs can reach heights of up to 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) and spans of a similar dimension, forming rounded mounds with deciduous leaves that typically turn yellow or brown before shedding in the fall season.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Hydrangeas

Large, showy flower clusters in various hues from white to purple.

6 feet tall, deciduous shrubs with yellow/brown leaves in fall.

Terminal corymbs with colorful 4- to 5-parted flowers in spring/fall.

Oval, small cup-shaped fruit with winged seeds for dispersal.

Opposite, simple leaves with toothed margins and vibrant green color.

Detailed Traits of Hydrangeas

Leaf Features

Hydrangeas leaves are opposite, simple, and stalked, typically measuring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) in length. The leaves exhibit a pinnate venation pattern, with a central vein and smaller veins branching out. They possess toothed margins, and in some instances, may be lobed. The texture of the leaves is somewhat coarse, and they present a vibrant green color. These distinctive features help in the identification of the plant.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Hydrangeas flowers are notably clustered in terminal, round or umbrella-shaped corymbs. These clusters, which can range from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) in diameter, exhibit striking colors of white, pink, blue, or sometimes purple. The flowers are typically 4- to 5-parted, with sterile flowers on the margins or throughout the cluster being significantly larger. Blooming season varies but generally extends from spring to fall. The flowers are mainly known for their visual appeal, making them popular in ornamental gardening.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of hydrangeas is a dry, hard capsule that is oval in shape and resembles a small cup. Typically less than 1/2 inch (about 1.27 cm) in size, this fruit encapsulates multiple winged seeds which facilitate dispersal. The fruit's texture and shapely contour, along with its unique seed-bearing structure, make it a distinguished feature for the identification of hydrangeas. Its color, although not specified, generally blends with the surrounding foliage until maturity.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Hydrangeas easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.