Dwarf hydrangeas are a popular choice for small gardens or containers, offering all the beauty and charm of their larger counterparts in a compact form.
With a range of colors and bloom styles to choose from, these versatile plants are perfect for adding a splash of color and interest to any outdoor space.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at fourteen different varieties of dwarf hydrangeas that are well-suited for small gardens or container gardening.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there’s sure to be a dwarf hydrangea that will catch your eye and inspire you to get planting!
1. ‘Bombshell’ Hydrangea Paniculata
Growing to a compact size of 3-4 feet tall and wide, the ‘Bombshell’ dwarf hydrangea is a great choice for small gardens and containers.
The flowers of ‘Bombshell’ hydrangea paniculata are star-shaped and are white in color.
They appear in the summer and will continue to flower through to the fall.
‘Bombshell’ hydrangea paniculata prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sun. It is also tolerant of heat and humidity, making it a great choice for gardens in warmer climates. Regular pruning can help maintain its compact size and promote fuller growth.
2. ‘Mini Penny’ Hydrangea Macrophylla
The ‘Mini Penny’ is another compact and low-growing cultivar, growing up to 2-3 feet tall and wide.
The plant is popular for its attractive and abundant flowers that bloom in summer, with large mophead inflorescences that can measure up to 6 inches in diameter.
The flowers of ‘Mini Penny’ are pink or blue, depending on the soil pH. If the soil is acidic, the flowers will be blue, while alkaline soil will produce pink flowers.
The plant prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, and can be grown in containers or in the ground. Pruning can be done in early spring before the new growth appears, and the plant can be propagated by stem cuttings or by layering.
3. ‘Munchkin’ Hydrangea Quercifolia
‘Munchkin’ is a dwarf cultivar of the Hydrangea quercifolia species, commonly known as oakleaf hydrangea. This deciduous shrub is native to the southeastern United States and is known for its distinctive leaves, which resemble the leaves of oak trees.
‘Munchkin’ grows to a height of only 3-4 feet and has a similar spread, making it a great choice for small gardens or as a low hedge.
It produces large, cone-shaped panicles of white flowers in early summer. The flowers are held above the foliage on long, sturdy stems and can reach a length of up to 8 inches.
Like other oakleaf hydrangeas, ‘Munchkin’ prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of drought once established and does not require much pruning, other than to remove dead or damaged wood.
The plant’s fall foliage is a rich reddish-brown color, which provides additional ornamental interest in the landscape.
4. ‘Bobo’ Hydrangea Paniculata
‘Bobo’ is a compact cultivar of Hydrangea paniculata, a deciduous shrub native to Asia and known for its large, showy panicles of flowers that bloom in summer and early fall.
‘Bobo’ is a relatively small shrub, growing only 2-3 feet tall and wide. Its flowers are cone-shaped and appear white in color. The plant is very floriferous, with a profusion of blooms that can cover the entire shrub.
‘Bobo’ prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and is drought-tolerant once established.
The plant requires minimal pruning, but deadheading spent blooms will encourage continued blooming throughout the season.
Due to its small size, ‘Bobo’ is ideal for use in small gardens or as a container plant. It is also rather unique in its look due to just how large its blooms are, making for a small yet highly eye-catching addition to your garden.
5. ‘Tiny Tuff Stuff’ Hydrangea Serrata
‘Tiny Tuff Stuff’ is a compact cultivar of Hydrangea serrata, a deciduous shrub native to Japan and Korea. This plant is known for its lace cap flowers, which consist of a central cluster of small, fertile flowers surrounded by a ring of larger, sterile flowers.
“Tiny Tuff Stuff” grows to a height and spread of about 2-3 feet and produces an abundance of flowers in early summer. The flowers are blue in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil, and their color can be influenced by soil amendments.
This plant prefers partial shade and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
It is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering will encourage the best growth and flowering. “Tiny Tuff Stuff” is also a repeat bloomer, producing a second flush of flowers in late summer or early fall.
Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
This plant can be pruned heavily to maintain its compact size and encourage new growth and flowering. “Tiny Tuff Stuff” is a great choice for small gardens, rock gardens, or as a container plant.
6. ‘Invincibelle Wee White’ Hydrangea Arborescens
This compact dwarf hydrangea grows to a height and width of around 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) and is noted for its white, mophead-shaped blooms that appear from early summer through to autumn.
This particular cultivar is known for its hardiness and ability to bloom on new wood, meaning that even if the stems are damaged or pruned back in the winter, it will still produce flowers in the following season.
It also has a long blooming period, with flowers appearing from June until the first frost.
‘Invincibelle Wee White’ is a relatively low-maintenance plant, requiring regular watering and occasional fertilization. It prefers well-draining soil and partial to full sun, although it can tolerate some shade.
This is also a suitable dwarf hydrangea for use in borders, as a low hedge, or in containers, and is attractive to bees and other pollinators.
7. ‘Little Quick Fire’ Hydrangea Paniculata
‘Little Quick Fire’ Hydrangea Paniculata is a compact cultivar of the popular paniculata hydrangea. It is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to a height of 3-5 feet and a width of 3-4 feet.
The flowers of ‘Little Quick Fire’ are cone-shaped and bloom in mid to late summer. The blooms start out white but gradually turn pink and then a deep red as they mature.
The foliage for this dwarf hydrangea is dark green and turns yellow in the fall, providing a beautiful autumn display.
This hydrangea is a low-maintenance plant that prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal pruning.
‘Little Quick Fire’ is another great choice of a dwarf hydrangea for small gardens, containers, or as a low hedge.
8. ‘Invincibelle Mini Mauvette’ Hydrangea Arborescens
‘Invincibelle Mini Mauvette’ is a type of Hydrangea arborescens, which is a species of deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States. It is a compact variety that grows to a height of 2-3 feet and a width of 2-3 feet.
This cultivar is known for its unique pinkish-purple blooms that emerge in early summer and continue to bloom throughout the season. The flowers are held up on sturdy stems that do not droop like some other varieties of hydrangea.
‘Invincibelle Mini Mauvette’ is also known for its disease-resistant and drought-tolerant qualities, making it a popular choice for landscaping and garden use. It prefers well-draining soil and full to partial sun exposure.
Overall, this Hydrangea arborescens cultivar is a beautiful and low-maintenance dwarf hydrangea that can add color and interest to any garden or landscape.
9. ‘Little Lime’ Hydrangea Paniculata
‘Little Lime’ is a cultivar of the Hydrangea paniculata species, which is a deciduous shrub native to Asia. This cultivar was developed by breeders at Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs and is a smaller version of the popular ‘Limelight’ hydrangea.
‘Little Lime’ hydrangea grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet and has a rounded, compact form. Its small, conical flowers have a unique, white shade that looks like a light lime color, hence the name!
The blooms are held on strong, sturdy stems and are great for use in fresh or dried flower arrangements.
10. ‘Let’s Dance Blue Jangles’ Hydrangea Macrophylla
The creatively named ‘Let’s Dance Blue Jangles’ dwarf hydrangea is a beautiful and compact shrub that produces large, blue flowers. It typically grows to be about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, making it a great choice for small gardens or containers.
This hydrangea is known for its big, showy blooms that emerge in mid-summer and last well into the fall.
The flowers are a stunning shade of blue, with a slight pink or purple undertone in acidic soils. The foliage is also quite attractive, with glossy green leaves that turn burgundy in the fall.
11. ‘Little Honey’ Hydrangea Quercifolia
The ‘Little Honey’ hydrangea is a dwarf cultivar of the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia).
As a dwarf plant, it is a smaller version of the species, growing to a height of around 3 to 4 feet and a width of 3 to 5 feet. It has the same distinctive oak-shaped leaves as the species, which turn a beautiful burgundy-red color in the fall.
‘Little Honey’ is also known for its attractive foliage, which emerges bright yellow in the spring and then turns a rich green as the season progresses. The leaves are also smaller than those of the species, giving the plant a finer texture.
In early summer, it produces white, cone-shaped flowers that can reach up to 8 inches in length. The blooms gradually turn pinkish as they age and then dry to a tan color in the fall.
12. ‘Pee Wee’ Hydrangea Quercifolia
‘Pee Wee’ Hydrangea Quercifolia dwarf is a compact and small-sized cultivar of the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), much like the aforementioned ‘Little Honey’. This shrub typically grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and a width of 4 to 5 feet.
‘Pee Wee’ hydrangeas are known for their pretty and petite white flower clusters. The foliage of this cultivar is also quite attractive, with large, lobed leaves that are oak-like in nature.
13. ‘Fire Light Tidbit’ Hydrangea Paniculata
‘Fire Light Tidbit’ typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and a width of 2 to 3 feet and is known for its large, cone-shaped flower clusters that bloom in mid-summer and turn a beautiful shade of pink or red as they mature.
The flowers remain on the plant well into the fall, adding color to the landscape. The white, pink, and red colors of the flowers as they bloom create a gorgeous plethora of colors that change as the flowers mature.
14. ‘Venice Raven’ Hydrangea Macrophylla
‘Venice Raven’ Hydrangea Macrophylla dwarf is a compact and small-sized cultivar of the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). This shrub typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and a width of 2 to 3 feet.
‘Venice Raven’ hydrangeas are known for their large, rounded flower clusters that bloom in mid-summer and turn a beautiful shade of deep pink or purple as they mature.
The foliage of this cultivar is also quite attractive, with glossy, dark green leaves that have serrated edges.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a beautiful and low-maintenance shrub to add to your small garden or container, a dwarf hydrangea is an excellent choice.
The choices we have mentioned are all known for their stunning blooms and attractive foliage, as well as their compact size, which makes them ideal for small gardens or containers.
They also require minimal maintenance and are relatively easy to care for, making them suitable for veteran gardeners and newbies alike!
Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color to your patio or create a beautiful border in your garden, a dwarf hydrangea is a great choice. With their stunning blooms and easy care, these plants are sure to delight and enhance any small space.
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
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