So, you’re after a hydrangea. But which one? Before you think they’re all the same mophead in pink or blue, think again. From ground-hugging beauties to statuesque showstoppers, hydrangeas come in shapes and sizes to suit just about every gardener’s needs (and garden size). And with breeders such as Living Creations pushing the boundaries each year, there’s always something new and exciting to add to the wish list.

Here’s my line-up of hydrangeas that truly go above and beyond.

Hydrangea for ground cover: Groundbreaker® Blush™

Groundbreaker® Blush™ is a world-first: a low-growing, medal-winning marvel that made its debut at Plantarium 2024 in Holland. And oo-er, it promptly walked away with a gold medal! Compact, tough and boasting 100 days of colour, this hydrangea really is an overachiever.

Starting with pristine white flowers that blush into pink as the season progresses, its conical blooms smother a neat mound of small leaves, bringing colour from July to November. Hardy down to –30°C (so yes, it will survive that frost you keep forgetting to cover your plants against), Groundbreaker® Blush™ is perfect for smaller gardens or to edge borders with something both reliable and beautiful.

Long flowering hydrangea: Living Infinity®

If you want flowers that just won’t quit, choose Living Infinity®. Compact, strong-branched and stubbornly persistent, this hydrangea gives you 150+ days of changing colour drama. Starting creamy white in June, it morphs through pink shades before settling into a deep red by September.

At about a metre tall and wide, it’s the perfect size for a showstopper in a small garden, or as a landscaping plant in medium and large gardens. It’s also popular with pollinators – so it’s ideal for a wildlife garden!

Most dramatic colour: Living Red Velvet®

If you’re after a real showstopper, Hydrangea Red Velvet® delivers drama in spades. Growing to around 1m tall with a neat, bushy habit, it produces generous panicles of blooms that open creamy white before deepening to a rich, velvety pink as the season progresses. 

The flowers sit proudly on strong stems above glossy dark-green foliage, creating a striking contrast that holds its shape beautifully in the border. Perfect for adding bold colour to beds, borders or containers, this hydrangea offers both impact and reliability, rewarding gardeners with months of vibrant display.

Best hydrangea for landscaping: Living Pink & Rose®

Big garden? Big personality? Living Pink & Rose® is your match. With strong branches, large flowers that shift from white to pink through the summer, and an RHS silver award under its belt, this hydrangea is a dream for landscapers.

It’s a robust, statuesque shrub (reaching up to 140 cm tall) that keeps on blooming for around 100 days with minimal fuss. Whether in pots or borders, it’s guaranteed to turn heads.

Best hydrangea for balconies and patios: Living Little Love®

Not everyone has space for a giant shrub, but that doesn’t mean missing out. Consider Living Little Love®, which is a hydrangea made for small gardens, patios and balconies. With its compact, rounded form and cone-shaped flowers that change from green to cream to soft pink, it proves that good things really do come in small packages.

It blooms for over 100 days, is fully winter hardy, and barely asks for any effort. If your schedule is as busy as the bees in your garden, this one’s for you!

Look out for Living Creations hydrangeas

From balconies to borders, hydrangeas are endlessly adaptable, hardworking and showy (whatever the variety). Find the one that fits your garden personality by looking for Living Creations hydrangeas online or in your local nursery or garden centre. Or, if you’re a hort professional, why not email Living Creations directly if you want to stock them in your garden centre? In the world of hydrangeas, there really is something for everyone.

Struggling to choose your perfect hydrangea?

Use my flow chart below.