Hydrangeas are beautiful all year, but they really start to show off in the fall. Imagine your garden full of precious little colorful blooms whilst the rest of nature starts to turn brown.
I have two types of hydrangeas in my garden, and they’re truly something else – those soft pinks and deep purple colors make everything look dreamy. If I had more garden space, I’d definitely grow another hydrangea.
And with just a bit of care, you can keep them looking great long after summer is over (great, right?).
So, if you have enough garden space and need something to fill it in, definitely consider growing some of these hydrangeas (they all look even more spectacular in fall).
1. A Little Greenery Goes A Long Way With ‘Limelight’ Hydrangea
As the temperature gets colder, all that greenery slowly turns dark brown or orange… all except for the ‘Limelight’ hydrangea!
I love when my garden is filled with greens, which is why I’m always super bummed out once the fall arrives. However, my ‘Limelight’ hydrangea is here to fix that!
These hydrangea varieties are the stars of many midsummer gardens thanks to their huge, pyramidal blooms. Starting as creamy white, they gradually shift to pink and dusky rose as the season goes on.
All of this comes together once their leaves turn a lovely yellow-gold as the temperature drops – it’s just the perfect ending.
What I like the most about ‘Limelight’ is that it keeps on blooming well into October. These panicle hydrangeas are great for extending garden color and tolerating more sun than most varieties.
Related: The Perfect Time To Cut Panicle Hydrangeas
2. Get A Vintage Look With ‘Peegee’ Hydrangea
‘PeeGee’ hydrangeas are like a blast from the past thanks to their vintage blooms!
Starting in late summer, their conical flower clusters begin as pinkish-red buds and open to lime green and creamy white before turning pink (you get all colors for that retro vibe in the garden).
The blooms can be up to 18 inches long and last into fall, eventually fading to buff tan. Their autumn foliage is yellow and purple-red before it drops.
This hydrangea is also as tough as nails, thriving in both cold winters and hot, humid summers. It’s a reliable and adaptable choice for any garden (and hopefully mine someday).
3. Summer Is Never Over With The ‘Endless Summer’ Hydrangea
I bet we all want our summers to last a little longer, am I right? Well, with this type of hydrangea, that is now possible!
Known as ‘Endless Summer The Original,’ this variety is special because it blooms on both old and new wood, meaning you get a non-stop flower show from early summer to frost.
Their large, glossy leaves turn burgundy red in fall, adding even more color. The blooms dry beautifully and last into winter.
Also read: Grow The New Pop Star Hydrangea For The Most Gorgeous Flower Display You’ve Ever Seen
4. Slowly Welcome Cooler Temps With ‘Snow Queen’
As the transition from really hot summer weather to a much cooler fall temperature is happening, it’s best to get yourself a flowering plant that’ll make your garden pop during this period.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are fantastic for fall with their prominent red and burgundy leaves. ‘Snow Queen’ is a standout, with big, white blooms that turn pink and purple as the time progresses (and they can be up to a foot long!).
‘Snow Queen’ is easy to grow as it handles hot summers well. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil with a bit of mulch to keep the soil cool and moist.
5. Get That Fiery Aesthetic With ‘Quick Fire’ Hydrangea
Want fireworks in your garden? Then you should definitely go for this one!
With its color-changing blooms starting as bright white, then turning pink, and finally deep rose and red, they sure do look fiery. Their leaves also get in on the act, turning gold and purple-red before falling for winter.
One of the first to bloom, ‘Quick Fire’ offers a long, colorful season. Low-maintenance and hardy, it thrives in full sun to partial shade, especially if you give it some afternoon relief in hot climates.
6. ‘Climbing’ Varieties Shouldn’t Be Overlooked As Well
Climbing hydrangeas have been on my wishlist for quite some time now (if only I had more garden space). Did you know that some might even reach up to 60 feet? That’s SO cool!
And to make things even better, these beauties flaunt large clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring, which turn a rustic reddish-brown as the season progresses.
But wait, there’s more! They also produce distinctive yellow leaves in the fall and have cool red bark that’s a treat in winter.
Hardy in zones 4 through 8, they’re a bit picky about extreme cold or heat but will reward you with their vertical glamor and stunning blooms.
Related: These 6 Types Of Hydrangeas Will Transform Your Garden Into A Stunning Oasis
7. Seal The Deal With ‘Candy Apple’ Hydrangea
Let’s end this list with my favorite hydrangea – ‘Candy Apple’ (it looks as delicious as it sounds!).
I just love how mine brings that sweet splash of fall in the garden, with its creamy lime and blush pink flowers and red and orange leaves (it’s like a whole autumn in just one plant).
‘Candy Apple’ packs the same gorgeous blooms as ‘Limelight’ but in a compact size, just ideal for containers or as a garden centerpiece.
It’s a long-bloomer and thrives with a bit of late winter pruning. Cut or dried, these blooms are always a hit (especially for minimalistic home decors).
Also read: 3 Important Fall Hydrangea Jobs & 2 Things You Shouldn’t Do