9 Hydrangeas That Look Spectacular in Fall

Hydrangeas have the unique ability to change color as temperatures fluctuate in the fall season. The cooler temperatures of autumn transform the hues as flowers age and plants prepare for winter dormancy. 

Some hydrangea varieties bloom well into fall, with reblooming cultivars producing late-season flowers for a long-lasting bloom show. Others have blossoms that persist for months at a time. In addition to late bloom color, fall foliage brings vibrant colors in gold, purple, bronze, and crimson.

For lasting interest into winter, let naturally dried, feathery, and tawny flowers persist on stems. Attractive bark adds to the warmth of multiseason appeal. Enjoy the versatility and seasonal contributions of these beloved summer shrubs and vines with a striking fall display.

‘Snow Queen’

	botanical name Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Flemygea’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-6’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Oakleaf hydrangeas are among the showiest for fall color, with leaves turning fiery red and burgundy-purple. ‘Snow Queen’ is a stately oakleaf variety with long pyramidal blossoms of pure white flowers that take on pink and purple tones as the season progresses. The dramatic bloom clusters reach up to one foot long.

Blooms emerge in spring and early summer and transition to a rosy pink with the onset of fall. Deeply lobed foliage turns vibrant crimson and shades of bronze and wine red. Oakleaf hydrangeas have exfoliating bark in coppery brown that adds warm winter interest.

‘Snow Queen’ is a carefree grower with a naturalized aesthetic. Native to the southeastern U.S., they tolerate hot summer conditions. They thrive in moist, well-drained soils with mulch, compost, or leaves to aid in retaining moisture and regulating soil temperatures.

‘Incrediball Blush’

	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCAH4’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

This smooth hydrangea variety offers showstopper fall color, with enormous soft pink snowball blooms. The delicate silvery-pink petals mature to deep rose and green in the fall. Sturdy stems support the massive flowers on vigorous plants.

‘Incrediball Blush’ is an easy-to-grow reblooming hydrangea. Plants bloom from early summer until frost for late-season color. 

For the most vigorous stems and flowering, grow ‘Incrediball Blush’ in at least six hours of sunlight daily. In warm climates, allow more shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade or dappled light is ideal.

‘Limelight’

	botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Limelight’ is a favorite panicle hydrangea that brings a big show to the mid-summer garden with lasting interest for fall color. Huge pyramidal flower clusters in creamy white and chartreuse age to pink and dusky rose as the season progresses. Leaves turn yellow-gold as temperatures cool.

‘Limelight’ is a recipient of the Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit. They’re reliable bloomers and durable landscape performers, with flowering into October.

Panicle hydrangeas feature long blooming and extended interest and are outstanding specimens in cool weather. ‘Limelight’ tolerates more sun exposure than other varieties, even in southern climates, but still appreciates afternoon shade in warm regions. Provide well-draining soils for plants to thrive.

‘Bluebird’

	botanical name Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 6-9

‘Bluebird’ is a mountain hydrangea with lovely lacecap blooms that scaffold among large, glossy leaves. Depending on soil pH, light blue florets surround deeper blue blossoms. Outer florets gently droop and bend to reveal pink backing for a multi-tonal effect. 

‘Bluebird’ flowers throughout summer until frost for a long flowering season. A striking characteristic is brilliant red fall leaves. The crimson foliage and late-season flowering create a stunning autumnal display.

Mountain hydrangeas resemble bigleaf hydrangeas in bloom, foliage, and care, but they have a more compact form. ‘Bluebird’ is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its floriferous qualities and durable growth. 

‘PeeGee’

	botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-25’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘PeeGee’ hydrangeas showcase bundles of conical blooms that emerge in late summer to early fall with vintage-inspired color. Usually appearing in July through October, the pyramidal flower panicles begin as pinkish-red buds. They open to lime green florets and star-shaped flowers in creamy white. As the season progresses, the flower heads transition to vintage pinks.

The panicle blooms measure six to eight inches long but may grow as long as 18 inches. They last well into fall and eventually turn buff tan with age and cold weather. Showy autumn foliage turns tones of yellow and purple-red before dropping.

‘Grandiflora’ is exceptionally cold-hardy and thrives in summer heat and humidity. The large plants are robust growers in various garden conditions, making them among the most adaptable of the hydrangea group.

‘Endless Summer’

	botanical name Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmer’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas feature big, bold blooms in rich blues and pinks with classic mophead flower clusters. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmer’ (also called ‘Endless Summer The Original’) is the first hydrangea bred to bloom on both old and new wood, offering extended bloom time, increased flowering, and reblooming from early summer to frost.

Large, glossy foliage, which turns burgundy red in fall, provides a lush backdrop to the prolific blooms. Small fruit capsules emerge after flowering, and blooms left on the plant persist in dried form into winter.

The large, rounded heads are rich, cool blue, or delicate pink, depending on the soil pH. Acidic soils produce bluer blooms, while alkaline soils yield pinker blooms. You can adjust your soil pH to get either blue or pink blooms by adding aluminum sulfate for blue or lime for pink.

‘Quick Fire’

	botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Quick Fire’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-8’
	hardiness zones 3-8

The color-changing lacecaps of ‘Quick Fire’ hydrangeas are like magic in the fall. Blooms emerge bright white and become pink in summer, eventually aging to deep rose and red in autumnal tones. 

The foliage turns gold and purple-red to highlight the end of the season before dropping for winter. This color-twisting panicle hydrangea is one of the earliest varieties to bloom, meaning a long season of color in flower and foliage. 

‘Quick Fire’ is a low-maintenance plant that grows in full sun to partial shade. More shade, especially in the afternoon, is beneficial in hot climates. Plants bloom on new wood, so cold winters won’t impact developing buds. Prune plants back by one-third in late winter to rejuvenate growth and promote flowering on sturdy stems.

‘Climbing’

	botanical name Hydrangea anomala
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 30-60’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Climbing hydrangeas are entirely different from the deciduous flowering shrubs we commonly grow. With woody climbing vines, the substantial growers reach 30 to 60 feet high in optimal conditions. Stems bear large, flat-bloom clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring and early summer. The blooms fade to reddish brown over the season.

In addition to their ornamental blossoms, the deciduous climbers feature vivid yellow foliage as temperatures cool. They bring bright vertical interest as the seasons change, and attractive exfoliating reddish-brown bark adds to the plant’s winter appeal. 

Climbing hydrangeas are hardy in zones 4-8, though they are somewhat borderline in the lowest and uppermost zones. Frigid winters and hot and humid summers stress the climbers. The species is cold-hardy, with larger blooms on old wood.

‘Candy Apple’

	botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHPMWMH’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Candy Apple’ encapsulates fall appeal with rounded bloom clusters in creamy lime that become blushed in pink for a candy apple look. Dynamic foliage burnished in red, purple, and orange hues creates a standout color. Autumnal interest in a harvest-themed treat of the season is the perfect pairing in this bright bloomer.

‘Candy Apple’ boasts the same bloom clusters of ‘Limelight’ but on more compact plants. The fast-growing bloomers have an upright to mounding habit that makes them excellent as focal points or container specimens with colorful seasonal interest. Flower heads are gorgeous cut or dried.

‘Candy Apple’ blooms on new wood for a long flowering time. Plants benefit from late winter pruning to encourage dense growth, large panicles, and sturdy stems.