Utah is a state characterized by strong winds and soil that’s highly alkaline. Not to mention, it’s within USDA zones 4 to 9 and experiences some very cold winters. That said, you may be wondering, ‘can hydrangeas grow in Utah?’
Are Hydrangeas Hard to Grow in Utah?
Hydrangeas can certainly grow in Utah, but you’ll have to be careful about what variety you plant. To be specific, you’ll want to grow cold-hardy hydrangea species that can withstand salt and strong winds.
The good news is that there are several hydrangea varieties you can grow easily in Utah. Here are four of them.
4 Hydrangeas You Can Grow in Utah
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia stands as one of the easiest hydrangea varieties you can grow in the state. Oak Leaf varieties prefer to stay in the shade and in a relatively cool climate. You’ll be able to plant one since it’s hardy in zones 5 through 9.
The long-lived blooms start out creamy white but slowly turn purple and pink over time. As an added bonus, the bright green foliage slowly turns dull red when fall comes before falling off.
Endless Summer Hydrangea
‘Endless Summer’ is a hydrangea species that can take Utah’s cold climate well. It’s native to Minnesota and blooms on both new and old wood. You can change the color of the flowers by making the soil acidic or neutral.
To keep this hydrangea species happy you’ll need a location that gets bright light, as well as well-drained and consistently moist soil. Furthermore, you won’t have to second-guess whether to prune them in fall or not as shoots and stems will grow on both old and new wood.
PeeGee Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ is named ‘peegee’ due to its initials. Panicle hydrangea is actually considered the hardiest of all hydrangea species and is an excellent choice for Utah yards and gardens.
Instead of the blue and pink blooms, you get a creamy white cluster of flowers that fade to bronze and hints of pink. Also, the flower shapes itself into a cone rather than a globe.
‘PeeGee’ is a tall variety that can grow up to 10 feet or 120 inches in length, and with the same spread. In terms of care, you don’t really need to do much except water the plant regularly. Dieback is also minimal, which means you’ll be treated to a bushy houseplant in early spring.
Annabelle Hydrangea
‘Annabelle’ is sometimes referred to as ‘Snowball’ and is a smooth hydrangea variety. The plant is hardy in zone 3, which means it should be able to tolerate Utah’s climate pretty well. Large, 8-inch blooms can appear in June and stay for a while. As for the plant itself, ‘Annabelle’ can reach heights of up to 5 feet and a spread of somewhere around 3 to 5 feet.
This type of hydrangea grows well in rich and consistently moist soil, so you should keep an eye on it and water as needed. ‘Annabelle’ grows flowers on new wood, which means you can cut long stems down in spring and as new buds emerge.
Related Article: What’s Eating My Hydrangea?