20 Dreamy Hydrangea Gardens That Are Giving Us Major Inspiration

By Patricia Shannon
Updated March 03, 2021
Credit: Ralph Lee Anderson

The South’s favorite flower has us counting down the days until our gardens are bursting with blooms again. We rounded up a few of our favorite hydrangeas to inspire our gardens—and help us get through the rest of winter.

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Hydrangea Stairs

Who cares where the stairs lead when they’re flanked by hydrangeas? Contrasting coleus add to the dramatic setting.

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Southern Hydrangeas

Credit: Via Pinterest/Southern Living/Ralph Anderson

There’s nothing more Southern than a wide front porch—unless, of course, that front porch is seemingly built on a foundation of hydrangeas.

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Secret Garden of Hydrangeas

Credit: Ralph Anderson

A vast green lawn surrounded by blooming hydrangea shrubs makes a magical spot for tea, croquet, or basking in the sunshine.

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A Summertime Classic

Credit: Van Chaplin

We love learning about new hydrangea varieties, but there’s something nostalgic about these striking flowers in their signature blue.

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Doorway to Paradise

Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Pink and purple hydrangeas fill this green garden with color. A sweet table for two gives the gardeners a spot to enjoy their bounty.

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Cutting Garden

Hydrangeas are a treat to enjoy outside, but being able to cut your own blooms and bring them indoors is another benefit of these gorgeous shrubs.

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Hydrangea Explosion

Credit: Van Chaplin

A stand-alone hydrangea shrub becomes a wild eruption of color against a white picket fence.

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Strawberry Sundae

Credit: Getty Images

Better than a trip to the ice cream parlor, these compact blooms put on a summertime show in small outdoor spaces.

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Hydrangea Trees

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

A welcoming site by the front door, a hydrangea tree draws the eye up. Keep things casual with a basket planter or go all out with porcelain blue and white.

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Why Didn't My Hydrangeas Bloom?

Hydrangeas define the South like sweet tea and cornbread, and growing them can be easy if you know how. The Grumpy Gardener shares his tips for growing beautiful blooms. They can help you to enjoy these gorgeous flowers year after year.

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Blooms by the Water

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins

This Georgia lake house is ready for guests with rows of striking hydrangeas and a canine companion serving as a summer welcome party.

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Cheaper by the Dozen

Credit: Getty Images

Rows of hydrangeas in blue, pink, and purple show off all the color possibilities of this beloved Southern bloom.

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Rustic Hydrangeas

Credit: Rosmarie Wirz/Getty Images

We love the combination of the weathered wood fence and the stunning hydrangea blossoms.

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Green with Envy

Credit: Van Chaplin

In a soft lime shade, these sweet blooms blend into the landscape to create a heavenly hydrangea backdrop.

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Cottage Hydrangeas

Credit: David Bise/EyeEm/Getty Images

No window boxes needed here. Blooming hydrangeas, shutters, and ivy perfectly frame this cottage window.

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Hydrangea Party

Credit: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Scott Martin

When your hydrangeas are in bloom, go ahead and celebrate with all your friends.

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Beyond the Garden Gate

Credit: Getty Images

For a dreamy summertime entry, blue hydrangeas cascade over this picture-perfect white picket fence.

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Blooms on Overdrive

Credit: Mercedes Rancaño Otero/Getty Images

If your hydrangeas look like this, you’ve reached ultimate garden goals.

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A Southern Welcome

Credit: Ralph Anderson

When you arrive home, there’s no better sight than hydrangeas growing near your front porch.

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Among the Trees

Credit: Getty Images

Growing at the base of this tree-lined entry, blue hydrangeas create a fairytale scene.

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Fairest of Them All

Credit: Ralph Anderson

For a Southern gardener, there are few summertime scenes as sweet as a wall of fluffy hydrangeas in varying hues.

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By Patricia Shannon