The ornamental value of hydrangeas (Hydrangea) is their flower - because they inspire with a radiant white. That's why it's all the more annoying when panicles or balls of hydrangea varieties that should bloom white turn green or brown.

In a nutshell

  • white hydrangeas, unlike blue and pink varieties, remain white
  • Green coloring possible when blooming and fading
  • brown blooms can be a sign of sunburn and drought
  • also location or maintenance errors as a possible cause

color change

Many hydrangeas (Hydrangea) flower in white, pink and blue. However, blue and pink strains can change flower color due to soil conditions. White hydrangeas usually remain white but can turn green. The reasons for this vary. On the one hand, a greenish coloration when the flowers open and fade is a natural process in different varieties, on the other hand, the flowers can turn green if it is very warm for a long time, as they fade faster than usual due to the heat. However, diseases can also lead to discoloration.

Browning of white hydrangea flowers can also be attributed to extreme heat and drought. Because not all hydrangeas tolerate blazing sunlight and can get sunburn, which is reflected in brown petals. But it is also possible that the hydrangea simply withers. If the reason for this is dryness, this care mistake can be avoided by providing white hydrangeas with sufficient water; especially when there is no rain.

White Hydrangeas

Hydrangea anomala (sometimes called climbing hydrangea)

Semiola

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Flowers: flat umbels
  • Soil: normal garden soil, moist, low in lime
  • Growth: self-climbing, up to 300 centimeters

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Alice

  • Location: sun
  • Flowering period: May to June
  • Flowers: loose panicles, slightly pink when fading
  • Soil: well drained, nutritious, fresh to moist
  • Habit: upright, wide, funnel-shaped, up to 100 centimeters wide, up to 180 centimeters

applause

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • Flowers: loose, long panicles, light pink when fading
  • Soil: humic, loose, slightly acidic, poor in lime
  • Growth: upright, wide, funnel-shaped, up to 120 centimeters in diameter

pee wee

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • Flowers: Lush panicles, slightly pink when fading
  • Soil: humic, loose, slightly acidic, poor in lime
  • Growth: compact, low, up to 80 centimeters in diameter
The white-flowered Hydrangea quercifolia.

snowflakes

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Flowers: up to 20 centimeters long, hanging panicles,
  • Soil: fresh, humic, well-drained, slightly acidic, low in lime
  • Growth: upright and broadly bushy, up to about 150 centimeters in diameter

snow queen

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: July to August
  • Flowers: panicles up to 25 centimeters long, pink when fading
  • Soil: well-drained, normal garden soil
  • Growth: upright and bushy, up to 120 centimeters in diameter

Garden hydrangea (peasant hydrangea, scientific name Hydrangea macrophylla)

Everbloom "White Wonder"

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: June to September / October
  • Flowers: large, spherical umbels, densely packed
  • Soil: loose, moist
  • Growth: broad bushy (about 150 centimeters in diameter)

FirstWhite

  • Location: partial shade
  • Flowering period: June to October
  • Flowers: Large balls of flowers, light to dark green with an intense red hue when they fade
  • Soil: permeable, high humus content, pH value: 5 to 6
  • Growth: bushy and well branched, up to 150 centimeters high

Small winter mountain

  • Location: partial shade
  • Flowering period: June to October
  • Flowers: Ball-shaped inflorescences, greenish when fading
  • Soil: well drained, humic, pH value: 5 to 6
  • Growth: bushy, compact and well-branched, up to 120 centimeters high
Hydrangea macrophylla with white flowers.

snowball

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Flowers: Large flower balls (up to 25 centimeters in diameter), greenish marbling in late summer
  • Soil: well-drained, humic, low in lime, nutritious, fresh to moist
  • Growth: upright, well branched (about 100 centimeters in diameter)

The Bride

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: May to September
  • Flowers: large balls of flowers, turning slightly pink as the flowering progresses
  • Soil: well-drained, humic, low in lime, nutritious, fresh to moist
  • Growth: upright and bushy (100 to 150 centimeters in diameter)

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

  • Location: sun to shade
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • Flowers: panicle-shaped umbrella flowers (up to 25 centimeters wide)
  • Soil: humic, fresh to moist, sandy to loamy, acidic to neutral
  • Growth: Self-climbing (recommended climbing aid for young plants), up to 600 centimeters long, up to 400 centimeters wide

Tip: The climbing hydrangea exudes a sweet scent.

Panicle Hydrangea A-L (Hydrangea paniculata)

Bobo (also "Ilvobo")

  • Location: Sun and semi-shade
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Flowers: Conical panicles, delicate pink tint as they progress
  • Soil: well-drained, humic, low in lime, nutritious, fresh to moist
  • Growth: rounded, 70 to 100 centimeters in diameter (dwarf panicle hydrangea)

bombshell

  • Location: Sun (preferred) to partial shade
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Flowers: pyramid-shaped panicles, slightly greenish when fading
  • Soil: permeable, nutrient-rich, humic, fresh and moist, pH value: 5.5 to 6.0 (ideal)
  • Growth: compact, round, bushy, up to 100 centimeters in diameter
The round, white flowers of Hydrangea paniculata.

grandiflora

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Flowers: Conical panicles, pink when fading
  • Soil: loose, fresh, nutrient-rich, low in lime, neutral to acidic (ideal pH value: 5.5)
  • Growth: upright and loosely branched, up to 250 centimeters in diameter

Levana

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Flowers: panicles up to 50 centimeters long (up to 30 centimeters long, about 20 centimeters wide), pink to reddish when fading
  • Soil: humic, moist, rich in nutrients
  • Growth: wide and upright, 200 to 300 centimeters in diameter

Panicle Hydrangea M-Z (Hydrangea paniculata)

Magical Moonlight

  • Location: sun
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Flowers: very large panicles, green-white when opening, pure white as the flowering progresses
  • Soil: well-drained, humic, low in lime, nutritious, fresh to moist
  • Growth: upright and rounded, 150 to 200 centimeters in diameter

phantom

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: August to September / October
  • Flowers: Panicles more than 30 centimeters long (white to creamy white), slightly pink when fading
  • Soil: well-drained, humic, low in lime, nutritious, fresh to moist
  • Growth: upright and rounded, up to 250 centimeters in diameter
The panicles of the Hydrangea paniculata can be slightly pink when they start flowering.

Silver dollars

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: August to October
  • Flowers: Large panicles, slightly greenish when opening, slightly pink when fading
  • Soil: well-drained, slightly moist, humic, normal garden soil
  • Growth: upright and bushy, up to 200 centimeters in diameter

tardiva

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Flowers: airy panicles
  • Soil: normal garden soil
  • Growth: upright, loose, broadly bushy, 250 to 350 centimeters in diameter

Unique

  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Flower: pink when fading
  • Soil: normal, loose
  • Growth: upright, branched, bushy, 200 to 300 centimeters in diameter

Forest hydrangea (tree hydrangea, scientific name Hydrangea arborescens)

Annabelle

  • Location: Sun to shade, sheltered from the wind
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Flower: 15 to 25 centimeters wide (large flower balls), greenish when opening
  • Soil: well-drained, humic, fresh to moist, slightly acidic (pH value about 5.5)
  • Growth: broad, bushy, semicircular (150 centimeters in diameter)

Tip: The hydrangea variety "Strong Annabelle" develops flower balls that can be up to 30 centimeters wide.

grandiflora

  • Location: partial shade to light shade
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Flower: up to 20 centimeters wide (large flower balls), greenish-white when opening
  • Soil: loose, permeable, humic, acidic (moor bed plant)
  • Growth: broad, bushy, dense, upright, 150 to 200 centimeters in diameter

Tip: In autumn, the flower balls turn brown, so that they can remain on the hydrangea bush as winter decorations until early spring.

frequently asked Questions

Do white hydrangeas tolerate hard tap water?

The flowering shrubs find it difficult to cope with lime. Therefore, to avoid care mistakes, you should water white hydrangeas with lime-free water.

Can waterlogging lead to brown hydrangeas?

Waterlogging, which occurs primarily in tub culture, is not tolerated by the plants. You can avoid this care mistake by only using planters with at least one drainage hole, creating a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot and removing excess water from the saucer.

Do White Hydrangeas Need Winter Protection?

That depends on the species. However, it is advisable to protect young plants with a layer of foliage. Because frost and cold can cause the bushes to develop greenish flowers instead of white ones.

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Garden plants