Choosing Between Mophead and Lacecap: Which Hydrangea Fits Your Garden Style?

Light, Soil, and Water Needs You Should Know Before Buying

Light: Aim for Bright but Gentle

Most bigleaf hydrangeas do best with 3 to 6 hours of sun, ideally morning light and protection from harsh afternoon heat. In cooler climates, they can take a bit more sun, while hotter regions need more shade.

That’s why one friend’s hydrangea can handle full morning exposure and yours melts by 2 p.m. Gardening is rude like that.

Soil: Moist and Well Drained Wins

Both mopheads and lacecaps want moist well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. If your soil is sandy, add compost to hold moisture; if it’s heavy clay, improve drainage before planting.

A planting hole is not magic, by the way. If the surrounding soil is bad, the roots still have to live there.

Water: Consistency Beats Panic Watering

Newly planted hydrangeas need deep watering about 2 to 3 times a week at first, depending on heat and rainfall. Established shrubs usually need around 1 inch of water weekly, more during heat waves or in containers.

A hydrangea for containers dries out faster than one in the ground, so keep an eye on it. Hit the next button below, because now we get to the part everybody loves—the color magic behind blue, pink, purple, and white blooms.