White Hydrangea

White Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a deciduous shrub about 1.5m tall and wide, with large rounded white flower heads above soft, light green leaves. It establishes quickly, which makes it a good choice for a low flowering hedge or a feature shrub in part shade. White flowers also keep glowing at dusk when darker colours fade.

Why you'll love it

• Quick to establish. Hydrangeas settle in quickly, so a new planting looks established within a couple of seasons.
• Clean white flower heads. Large rounded heads stand out in shade, and they remain visible at dusk.
• A cut flower plant. The heads are excellent in a vase, so one shrub gives you flowers for the house as well as the garden.
• Low hedge or feature. It works as a low hedge, a feature shrub or a tub plant, depending on how you place it.
• Happy in shade. It suits woodland gardens, shady borders and cottage planting where many shrubs sulk.

Where it works best

Low hedging. Plant 1.2m apart in a single row. At 1.5m wide the shrubs overlap and form a soft hedge of about 1.5m.

Shady borders. Use it along the shaded side of a house or fence, where white flowers brighten the dark corner.

Containers and cottage gardens. A large pot works on a shaded patio, and the soft, full look suits cottage planting.

Growing White Hydrangea in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade suits hydrangeas best. In cool southern gardens this one takes more sun if kept well watered, but in warm gardens it needs afternoon shade. It suits cool temperate and warm temperate gardens best, and subtropical gardens with deep shade. Like other mophead hydrangeas it is hardy through winter when dormant, though a late frost can nip soft new growth.

Soil. Rich soil with plenty of organic matter that stays moist but drains. Mulch the roots to keep them cool.

Water and feed. Water regularly for the first two to three months while it establishes, and give plenty of water in dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in early spring, and shade it from harsh sunlight.

Pruning. It flowers on old wood, so give it room and avoid hard cutting. Remove faded heads just above the next healthy leaves. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell White Hydrangea as tube stock, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and in 300mm pots. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and suits a long hedge. The 200mm pots give a sturdier plant for a border, and the 300mm pot gives an instant feature. Expect flowering to build over the first couple of seasons.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Our full hydrangea range
• White hydrangeas: varieties, growing and pruning
• Plants for partial shade
• More flowering plants

Common questions

Can I use it as a hedge?

Yes. Plant 1.2m apart in a single row for a low flowering hedge about 1.5m high. It is a deciduous hedge, so it is bare in winter.

Does it need shade?

It prefers part shade and soft light. In cool southern gardens it tolerates more sun with plenty of water, but in warm gardens it needs shelter from hot afternoon sun.

Is it good as a cut flower?

Yes. The large white heads last well in a vase. Cut stems in the cool of the morning and stand them in water straight away.