Amy Draiss
Hydrangeas are generally easy-to-grow shrubs that reward you with tons of beautiful blooms from minimal effort. But pests and diseases can still plague these classic garden plants, especially susceptible varieties.
That’s why it’s wise to choose pest and disease resistant types of hydrangeas to ensure your shrubs will thrive for many years. Thankfully, with the abundance of different varieties available these days, finding a hardy cultivar that resists common hydrangea diseases and pests is easy.
Here are our plant experts’ favorite hydrangeas that can stand up against pests and diseases. Grow one (or more) these stunning cultivars for an easy and elegant landscape!
Best Pest & Disease-Resistant Hydrangeas
Growing hydrangeas is generally problem-free, but with chaotic weather like much of the country has experienced this summer, plants can face unexpected pest and disease issues.
Reduce your need for pesticides and other products—as well as save time and effort fussing over struggling plants—by planting hydrangeas that are resistant to pests and diseases. Here are our garden experts’ top picks.
1. ‘Eclipse’ Bigleaf Hydrangea
When I spoke to our Digital Community Manager and in-house hydrangea expert, Amy Draiss, she said, “I have quite a few hydrangeas, but the ones I notice leaf issues on are the H. macrophylla types.” However, the 'Eclipse' hydrangea is the exception to that rule.
Eclipse is a striking mophead hydrangea with deep green leaves that are almost black. It makes a bold statement in any landscape and it can also hold its own against disease to boot.
Draiss can confirm from growing an Eclipse hydrangea in her own garden that this variety isn’t prone to the common problems her other hydrangeas are. “I have had one for two years and that seems to be the case. Although, this one gets very, VERY thirsty.”
To ensure your water-loving shrubs get enough to drink, set up a drip irrigation system, like this one I got from Home Depot. You can add a hose timer, like this one from Amazon that I’ve used for years, to keep plants perfectly hydrated even when you’re out of town.
You can buy the unique Eclipse hydrangea from the Home Depot.
2. ‘Alice’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
Draiss also recommends oakleaf hydrangeas as a pest and disease resistant pick. ‘Alice’ oakleaf hydrangeas, in particular, are resistant to many leaf diseases that can cause problems with other cultivars. You’ll never have to wonder why your hydrangea is turning brown, if you plant this tough shrub.
The disease-resistant foliage on this hydrangea changes to stunning shades of scarlet, burgundy, and purple in the fall, making it an ideal choice for year-round appeal.
The peeling copper-colored bark keeps the show going into winter as well. If you’re looking for high impact beauty, but easy care then add an Alice oakleaf hydrangea to your garden.
Order an Alice oakleaf hydrangea from the Gardening Know How Shop today.
3. ‘Quick Fire’ Panicle Hydrangea
After growing (and I admit, neglecting) several ‘Quick Fire’ hydrangeas for the past five or so years, these shrubs are tough. Not only is the Quick Fire panicle hydrangea, and its diminutive cousin ‘Little Quick Fire,’ drought-tolerant and one of the best hydrangeas for full sun, but they can also hold their own against pests and diseases.
Draiss agrees that the Quick Fire hydrangea is one of her favorite pest and disease resistant panicle cultivars. She recommends panicle hydrangeas from Proven Winners as the best defense against issues.
Get a ‘Little Quick Fire’ hydrangea from Proven Winners at the Home Depot.
4. ‘Limelight’ Panicle Hydrangea
There are literally thousands of panicle hydrangeas to choose from, but if you’re looking for ones that are going to fight off pests and diseases, then the ‘Limelight’ hydrangea is hard to beat.
This popular panicle hydrangea is beloved by many gardeners, including Draiss. Even within the Limelight family, there are lots of low-maintenance options you can pick. Go big with a classic Limelight hydrangea or tuck a ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea into a tiny corner of the garden.
Though these shrubs are known for their citrus green blooms, ‘Little Lime Punch’ adds an extra pop of color as blooms brighten to reddish hues reminiscent of fruit punch as the summer progresses.
Get a classic Limelight hydrangea from the Gardening Know How Shop. Or add a touch of tropical color to your landscape with a Little Lime Punch hydrangea from the Home Depot.
This article features products available from third party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop. Keep in mind that our plant inventory is limited—so if you’re thinking of purchasing, don’t wait!
