Hydrangeas Are Having a Extra-Stunning Season—Here’s Why

These fan-favorite blooms are bigger, bolder, and generally more beautiful this year.

All across the Northeast, hydrangeas are in full bloom. In fact, this year they’re having one of the most beautiful seasons we've seen in recent years—a phenomenon that’s drawing tourists, gardeners, and plant-lovers alike to visit the Northeast and New England in the hopes of seeing the photo-worthy landscapes firsthand.

This year’s flowers are bigger, fuller, and all around better than they've looked in previous years—and there are several reasons for that. There’s a particular recipe that makes the perfect hydrangea, and it involves a winter with a lot of rain and not much snow. 

Though this year’s El Niño year with less snow and warmer-than-average temperatures was disappointing for many, it was the perfect environment to help hydrangeas flourish. Not only do the flowers need a lot of water throughout the year to produce beautiful blooms, they also struggle to thrive in harsh temperatures. 

Throughout the year, winter chills can harm hydrangea buds, which makes their blooms sparse and dull come summertime. While they can survive low temperatures, they begin to lose their buds when it drops below 26 degrees.

This year’s warm winter meant the buds didn’t need to drop as they usually would. Along with the massive amount of rainfall the Northeast received, these circumstances led to hydrangeas being more beautiful than ever this year. Though hydrangeas are a favorite (and therefore everywhere) in New England, you might've noticed that they appear healthier than usual in other areas across the U.S., too.

Many hydrangea varieties are native to New England—the soil there contains the natural acidity that gives these plants their vibrant blue color, while the climate helps to produce healthy, full flowers. Over the past few years, though, New England hasn’t seen the same results it achieved this season. After a few disappointing summers with blooms that fell, died out quickly, or were simply underwhelming, this year’s weather hit the mark.

If you’re not in New England, you don’t have to miss out on the hydrangea hype—planting zones 3 through 9 typically see the best results.

Even Trader Joe’s was showing some love for hydrangeas earlier this year with its potted varieties, and you can certainly expect nurseries and retailers to capitalize on the hydrangea trend in the future. Outside of being a gorgeous addition to your yard, some hydrangea lovers are more inclined to keep one or two in pots for their porches, patios, and gardens, while others will even sit small hydrangeas inside for springtime. 

Hydrangea colors can change depending on your soil acidity, from the classic New England vibrant blue to delicate pink petals. 

You’ll find all kinds of hydrangea varieties available to grow—and you can even choose the best kind of hydrangea for your yard based on your planting zone. 

Even if you don’t have a backyard, you can try keeping potted hydrangeas at home if you want to join in on the trend. If you're not the most seasoned gardener, why not try using the cuttings to decorate your space? The cuttings can last over a week when properly cared for.

With a little love (and maybe some shade), your hydrangea plants can last into the fall before they start to lose their blooms. This is also the ideal time to prune and propagate your plants to get them ready for another season of vibrant summer florals.

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