Hydrangeas have large blooms that bring flamboyant colour to the garden in late summer and autumn. They're easy to grow, dependable and improve with age. Use them in big, bold groups in the border, or even in large containers.

Recommended varieties

Mophead hydrangeas (with rounded heads of large flowers) come from Japan where the native species with lacecap flowers (flattened heads of small flowers) have been grown for hundreds of years. When these plants reached the west in the 18th century they caused a sensation, initially being treated as tender and grown indoors. The increase in new varieties with improved colour began 100 years ago in French, German and English nurseries. There's now a bewildering choice and even the experts can't always distinguish between them.

* H. macrophylla 'Quadricolor': a lacecap with unique, yellow and cream-splashed foliage. Also look at the 'Mariesii' types, particularly the award-winning trio of 'Grandiflora', 'Lilacina' and 'Perfecta'. The first has pink to blue flowers with a whiter centre, the second mauve-pink to blue flowers, and the third lilac to rich blue flowers. All grow to about 1.5m (5ft). H. m. 'Nigra' has shiny black stems and creamy flowers that become pinky lilac with age. Note that on acid soils the macophyllas are lilac, elsewhere they're pink. Only the whites stay white
* H. paniculata: one of the showiest hydrangeas with dramatically large flowers. 'Unique' is initially a showy greeny white, but later develops a pink flush that deepens over autumn. It can grow over 1.8m (6ft) in one year but, if pruned hard annually, never gets out of hand and is ideal for a small garden. The Royal Horticultural Society has given 'Unique' its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
* H. aspera Villosa Group: has large, velvety foliage above huge lacecap, and late summer flowerheads the size of dinner plates. Large, pale pink florets form the outer ring surrounding a domed centre of fertile, fuzzy lilac flowers which bees love. In the right conditions it may reach over 3m (10ft) high and wide. Has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's AGM.
* H. quercifolia: its deeply lobed foliage resembles that of an oak leaf. The foliage gradually becomes burnished with red and deep purple in autumn, and looks fabulous with red Kaffir lilies and silvery pink Japanese anemones. It has tapering, white flowers from summer well into autumn; 2m (6ft) high. 'Snow Queen' holds its large flowerheads more upright than most hydrangeas, while 'Snow Flake' produces double blooms and requires a sheltered corner with light shade.
* H. 'Preziosa': its pink or pale lilac blooms gradually become speckled and eventually suffused with crimson. Foliage turns a warm, coppery red in autumn. Grows to 1.5m (5ft) high.

Climbing hydrangeas: try the following if you have a huge, sturdy bare wall (possibly in light shade) that needs an evergreen covering.

* H. anomala subsp. petiolaris: this clambers up walls like ivy and clamps itself to the brickwork. It has attractive mahogany brown stems and lush, bright green, deciduous foliage. The lacecap flowers last just a few weeks in summer.

Growing tips

Soils for colour: The soil type determines the flower colour (acid produces blue). To create blue on a limey soil, you can use a special blueing compound composed of aluminium sulphate, although the results won't compare with plants growing in acid soil. Alternatively, grow a compact variety, such as 'Blue Bird', in a large container filled with lime-free compost and supplement its liquid feed with a blueing compound.

Site and watering: Hydrangeas are true survivors and can often be seen flowering in overgrown or neglected gardens. With a small amount of care they do really well. Both mopheads and lacecaps prefer dappled shade against a north- or west-facing wall. If it's too bright they're likely to scorch. Their leafy shoots need plenty of moisture during the summer. Apply a mulch to drier soils to lock moisture in the ground and promote decent-sized flowers. Plants also need to be sheltered from cold winds, which can frazzle new foliage during the spring.