Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Thompson & Morgan Horticultural Team
Shrubs are the stalwarts of the border – they last for years and years, fill gaps and offer decorative foliage AND flowers! And, what better place to start than Hydrangeas – one of the most versatile shrubs you can find. Here are five of Michael Perry’s favourite hydrangeas of all time, with compelling reasons to try them in your own garden.
Browse our comprehensive range of Hydrangea plants for more ideas.
1. Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’
This large lacecap hydrangea has beautiful foliage and a neat habit
Image: Hydrangea ‘Hot Chocolate’ from T&M
This Hydrangea gives a colour explosion in the garden right from the word go! The foliage is long, elegant and the same rich colour as your favourite chocolate bar! The leaves change colour with every few weeks that passes; from chocolate-brown to deep green, and then it surprises you by transforming into the most delectable amber and golden shades! Hydrangea ‘Hot Chocolate’ is a robust hydrangea which really fills the borders, and even performs in poor soils!
2. Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer’
This medium-sized mophead has pastel blue or pink flowers depending on your soil
Image: Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer® The Original’ from T&M
If you want maximum flower power from your Hydrangea shrubs, then Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer’ is a real breakthrough! Usually, a Hydrangea macrophylla will only flower on old wood, which means they set their flower buds for flowering in the previous summer. ‘Endless Summer’ not only does this, but it ALSO flowers on new wood, so you get a double whammy! Remember that this type of Hydrangea (macrophylla) also gives different coloured blooms on different soils; expect blue on acid and pink on alkaline!
3. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’
This elegant dwarf Hydrangea produces conical, pure white blooms
Image: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’ from T&M
This type of Hydrangea is a bit more woody than most, but with that comes extra hardiness, resilience and an easier pruning method! Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’ is short, compact and makes a rounded, neat specimen for the border or pretty patio pots. The snowball flowerheads almost cover the plants throughout the summer, and gently turn to bubblegum pink as the season progresses!
4. Hydrangea ‘Miss Saori’
These beautiful double blooms are white with a soft rose coloured edge
Image: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Miss Saori’ from T&M
Undoubtedly the star of the Chelsea Flower Show in 2014, Hydrangea ‘Miss Saori’ was the winner of Plant of the Year, thanks to its crystallized-effect, two-tone flowers, which look like mini tiaras! A strong-growing plant, where the flower colour is less affected by different soil types too, you know you’ll be enjoying the colour you were expecting!
5. Hydrangea ‘Ayesha’
These large rounded flower heads are lightly perfumed
Image: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’ from T&M
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’ has a distinctive appearance; with mophead blooms where each floret is curled like a piece of popcorn! An easy-to-grow shrub for sun or shade, it’s especially good for small gardens or large patio containers. Enjoy pink blooms on alkaline soil and blue blooms on acid!
For tried-and-tested wisdom, read our hydrangeas masterclass. And for a comprehensive collection of articles on growing and caring for hydrangeas, our dedicated hub page is a great place to start.
Lead Image: Hydrangea ‘Hot Chocolate’ from T&M
The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
Hi
Have lost a lot of plants as didn’t realise my soil was ph8 what shrubs flowers would come on well in my garden
Would love greenery over winter and flowers from Spring onwards what would you recommend thanks
Hi Seaz, thank you for your question. I have spoken to our horticulturalist who advises to neutralise the soil as not many plants like alkaline soil. If you use an Ericaceous food such as the link provided you will be able to have whatever you want really. Avoid using tap water, use rain water instead if possible. This will also help. Kind regards, Wendie
https://www.thompson-morgan.com/garden-supplies/fertilisers/chempak-ericaceous-fertiliser/kww2555TM
I have just planted my Hydrange Love plants can’t wait for the beautiful flowers to come out
Hi Elaine, oh that sounds great, do send some pictures via social media once they are established. Kind regards, Wendie
To Whom, I am planning a cutting garden for a large variety of flowers. I have been told that raised beds are not recommended for flower bulbs. I live in zone 5. If I insulated the sides of the beds with 2″ rigid insulation and used 3 or 4 inches of compost on top would that protect the bulbs? Please advise, Mark
Hi Mark, thank you for your query. I have passed this to our horticultural expert who will be back this afternoon. Therefore, I hope to have an answer for you then. kind regards, Wendie
Hi Mark, are you an English Gardener? My horti expert thinks you could be a usa/canadian gardener – He has given this response.
Hi Wendy, This is most likely a US/Canadian gardener (we don’t talk ‘hardiness zones’ in the UK).
I’ve been as helpful as poss without actually knowing the answer!
Hope it helps
Kris
US hardiness zone 5 gets colder than we experience here in the UK. None of us at T&M have any hands-on experience gardening/working with plants down to -20C.
In theory, your idea of insulated siding and a deep mulch of compost should see them through, but we can’t guarantee it. Perhaps use the first winter as a test season : don’t fully plant the raised bed, just add a few sample bulbs to see how they perform through winter. If they return the following spring, plant the bed fully.
Alternatively you could plunge plant your bulbs in bulb baskets (we only supply these to customers in the UK, but you should be able to find a local supplier – alternatively try ‘netted’ pond plant pots). These allow you to easily lift the bulbs ahead of winter so you can store them in a cold but frost-free shed/garage etc. They can then be planted again in spring once temperatures rise.
While it’s not the definitive answer you were hoping for, I do hope this helps. Wendie