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  4. 20 Dreamy Hydrangea Gardens That Are Giving Us Major Inspiration

20 Dreamy Hydrangea Gardens That Are Giving Us Major Inspiration

By Patricia Shannon
Updated March 03, 2021
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French Hydrangeas
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

Blue blooming hydrangea bushes along stone stairs with coleus in planters

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

Pretty Hydrangeas Below White Porch
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

Green lawn with hydrangea bushes surrounding it
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

Blue blooming hydrangeas next to gravel path
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

Garden with Arched pergola gate and hydrangea bushes
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

Hydrangea bloom cuttings on table in 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

Hydrangea shrub blooming next to white picket fence
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

Pink and White strawberry sundae hydrangeas
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

Limelight Hydrangea Tree in basket planter
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

Log cabin on the lake with hydrangea bushes
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

Pink, Blue, and Purple Hydrangea shrubs
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

Purple hydrangeas against rustic fence and gate
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

Green hydrangea tree in front yard
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

Hydrangea Flowering Plants In Yard in front of window with blue shutters
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

Hydrangea Shrubs with party in the background
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

Blue hydrangea along the white fence
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

Blue hydrangeas in the sunlight
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

Blue and pink hydrangea shrubs against house
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

Dirt road with hydrangea shrubs and archway of 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

Purple and Blue hydrangeas along gravel path
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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Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

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1 of 21 Hydrangea Stairs
2 of 21 Southern Hydrangeas
3 of 21 Secret Garden of Hydrangeas
4 of 21 A Summertime Classic
5 of 21 Doorway to Paradise
6 of 21 Cutting Garden
7 of 21 Hydrangea Explosion
8 of 21 Strawberry Sundae
9 of 21 Hydrangea Trees
10 of 21 Why Didn't My Hydrangeas Bloom?
11 of 21 Blooms by the Water
12 of 21 Cheaper by the Dozen
13 of 21 Rustic Hydrangeas
14 of 21 Green with Envy
15 of 21 Cottage Hydrangeas
16 of 21 Hydrangea Party
17 of 21 Beyond the Garden Gate
18 of 21 Blooms on Overdrive
19 of 21 A Southern Welcome
20 of 21 Among the Trees
21 of 21 Fairest of Them All

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20 Dreamy Hydrangea Gardens That Are Giving Us Major Inspiration
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