With the multitude of hydrangea species, you can quickly lose track. The most common names you come across are “farm hydrangea” and “garden hydrangea”. But how do they differ? A quick look at the botany of hydrangeas provides clarity.
What is the difference between farmer's and garden hydrangeas?
Farmer and garden hydrangeas are the same type of hydrangea, theHydrangea macrophyllaFor this reason there are no differences, it is just a different name. Within Hydrangea macrophylla, a distinction can be made between ball and plate hydrangeas.
How do farmer's hydrangeas and garden hydrangeas differ?
Farmer and garden hydrangeas arethe same plant speciesfrom the hydrangea genus. The species has the Latin name Hydrangea macrophylla. Apart from the name, there are no differences. Due to its wide distribution and different cultivations, the Hydrangea macrophylla is known by a few other names: Ball hydrangeas and plate hydrangeas also refer to the hydrangea species Hydrangea macrophylla.
What other types of hydrangeas are there?
Use the following list to get an overview of the other predominant hydrangea species:
- Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): panicle-shaped flowers
- Snowball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens): large, white flower balls
- Oak leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia): panicle-shaped flowers and leaves in the shape of an oak leaf
- Velvet Hydrangea (Hydrangea sargentiana): thickened, soft leaves and plate-shaped flowers
- Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris): climbing habit, plate-shaped flowers
- Japanese tea hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata): plate-shaped flowers, stays small
Tip
Ball hydrangeas can cause confusion
Due to their ball-shaped flowers, farmer's hydrangeas are sometimes referred to as ball hydrangeas. This name can easily be confused with snowball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens). The distinction is particularly important with regard to pruning: the two species belong to different pruning groups, which means that farmer or ball hydrangeas are pruned in spring and viburnum hydrangeas in autumn.
