Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs. People love their big, full blooms that come in pink, blue, purple, and white. Their big, showy flower heads make a lovely flower show from early summer to late fall.
While hydrangeas are stunning, you may want to add some variety to your garden. Or maybe hydrangeas don’t grow well for you. Either way, there are many other flowers that give a similar look and feel to hydrangeas.
Here are 8 of the most beautiful flowers that look like hydrangeas
1. Mock Orange
Mock orange (Philadelphus spp. are a type of flowering shrub that grows groups of fragrant white flowers. The flowers have four thin, wide petals that make them look open and airy.
When mock orange is fully bloomed, it looks like a lush, full hydrangea. They also have the same shape, though they are not as dense as hydrangea blooms. In the garden, mock orange is a beautiful plant that can be used instead of hydrangeas.
2. Peonies
Peonies are known for their huge lush blooms in late spring. The flowers are packed with dense, ruffled petals that create an incredibly full flower. Peonies come in shades of white pink, red, and yellow.
When peonies are blooming, they strongly resemble the big blooms of hydrangeas. They give that same sense of abundance and fullness. Plant peonies as an eye-catching alternative to hydrangeas.
3. Lilacs
Lilacs are prized for their sweetly fragrant blooms that come in shades of purple, pink, and white. The small, tubular flowers grow in dense, cone-shaped clusters at the ends of branches.
Certain lilac varieties, like the Scentara Double Blue, look strikingly similar to hydrangeas when they are blooming. The full clusters have the same lush, abundant effect as hydrangea blooms.
4. Spirea
Spirea is a flowering bush with groups of little pink or white flowers. Spirea has a look a lot like hydrangeas when they are fully bloom, with lots of small flowers crowded close together.
While the flowers are much smaller, varieties like Bridal Wreath spirea mimic the full, rounded shape of hydrangea blooms. And the colors are similar too.
5. Buttercup
Buttercups are known for their shiny, golden cup-shaped blooms. But Persian buttercups have flowers that closely resemble hydrangeas.
The blooms are packed with layers of petals in white, pink, yellow, or orange. This gives them the same lush, full flower head as hydrangeas, just on a smaller scale. Plant buttercups as an annual flower alternative.
6. Camellias
Camellias are flowering shrubs that produce gorgeous blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. The flowers have ruffled, overlapping petals that create a very lush, full look.
When camellias are in full bloom, their abundant flowers and glossy leaves give them a very hydrangea-like appearance. The two shrubs make beautiful companions in the garden.
7. Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush gets its name from the cylindrical, brush-like flower spikes that bloom at the ends of branches. While the flowers look different from hydrangea blooms, the overall effect is quite similar.
The dense, packed spikes create the same sense of volume and abundance. And bottlebrushes come in similar colors too – pink, red, white, and purple. Plant bottlebrush for a unique alternative to hydrangeas.
8. Deutzia
Deutzia is a spring-blooming shrub that produces clusters of delicate white or pink flowers. The abundant blooms are packed closely together, giving deutzia the same lush, full hydrangea-like look.
The flowers have a star shape with five petals. But when covered in blooms, deutzia strongly mimics the floral display of hydrangeas. Plant it as a flowering shrub alternative.
More Beautiful Options
Here are a few more flowers to consider that give the same lush, full look:
- Astilbe – Feathery, plume-like blooms in pink, red, white
- Snowball Bush – Large, dense clusters of white flowers
- Rhododendrons – Big blooms in white, pink, red, purple
- Japanese Snowball – Snowball-shaped white blooms
So if you love the look of hydrangeas but need an alternative, give some of these gorgeous flowers a try. They provide beautiful floral displays and lush texture for your garden. With so many hydrangea look-alikes to choose from, you can easily find the perfect fit for your space.
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1 Chrysanthemums (Pompon Varieties)
Pompon chrysanthemums are festive and cheerful flowers that mimic hydrangeas rounded and densely petaled form. Their vibrant colours and spherical shape make them a popular choice for seasonal arrangements. Pompon chrysanthemums feature tightly packed petals that form a perfect sphere, creating a lush and textured appearance. They come in a wide range of colours, including white, yellow, pink, orange, and green, making them versatile for different themes and occasions. Uses In Arrangements: Chrysanthemums are ideal for festive bouquets, holiday centrepieces, and seasonal designs. Their compact size and bright colours make them a great filler flower or accent in arrangements. For contrast, put pompon chrysanthemums next to bigger flowers or group them together to make a fun and lively arrangement.
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
Summersweet is a fragrant flower with elongated clusters and delicate texture. It adds a unique touch to arrangements and its understated elegance makes it a versatile choice for various floral themes. Summersweet blooms in elongated, bottlebrush-like clusters that resemble hydrangea panicles. These flowers are typically white or pale pink and emit a sweet fragrance that enhances the sensory experience of any arrangement. Uses In Arrangements: Perfect for adding height and texture, summersweet works beautifully in garden-inspired bouquets or rustic arrangements. Use it to create vertical interest in table centerpieces or combine it with greenery for a natural, flowing design. Its soft tones and fragrant blooms make it an excellent choice for romantic or outdoor-themed events.
Clematis flowers are a stunning addition to floral designs. They offer large, layered blooms that rival the beauty of hydrangeas. These vining flowers are known for their elegance and versatility. Clematis blooms are large and open, with delicate, overlapping petals that look layered and textured. They come in a variety of colours, including purple, blue, pink, white, and burgundy, making them easy to pair with other flowers. Their vining growth habit adds a sense of movement and flow to floral arrangements. Uses In Arrangements: Clematis is ideal for cascading arrangements, floral arches, or hanging installations. Their striking blooms can be focal points in luxurious designs or accents in romantic bouquets. Use clematis in wedding displays or combine them with hydrangeas and greenery for a dramatic and elegant effect.
Spirea is a delicate flower with soft, rounded clusters that mimic the gentle beauty of hydrangeas. Its subtle charm and versatility make it a favourite for light, airy, floral designs. Spirea blooms in small, dainty clusters of flowers that form a rounded, cloud-like effect. These flowers come in white, pink, and red, and in the fall, the leaves often change bright colors. Their light and feathery appearance adds a sense of movement to floral arrangements. Uses In Arrangements: Spirea is perfect for creating soft and airy bouquets. Use it as filler flowers to complement larger blooms or as a base for cascading designs. Its subtle colors and texture make it an excellent choice for garden-inspired or vintage-themed arrangements. Pair spirea with roses, peonies, or ranunculus for a harmonious and delicate composition.
7 Gorgeous Flowers for Shaded Areas ✨ // Shade Loving Summer Plants ☀️
FAQ
What flower looks similar to a hydrangea?
tomentosum. The most hydrangea-like flower on the list, these wide, flat blooms give a garden the same lush look. You might think of them as a smooth hydrangea or a native lacecap, but deer don’t like them nearly as much.
What plant is mistaken for a hydrangea?
Some plants look so much alike that you might think they are the same! Two cloud-colored favorites are the Chinese snowball viburnum, which is also called a snowball bush, and the Annabelle hydrangea. Learn how to choose the best hydrangeas for every yard.
Where is the best place to plant oakleaf hydrangeas?
Oakleaf hydrangea is an easy-to-grow shrub in average-to-fertile, moist soil. It grows best in partial shade, limiting the intense midday sun.
What is the small plant that looks like a hydrangea?
What looks like a small hydrangea but isn’t one? It’s New Jersey Tea. A very small NATIVE shrub that gets only 3’x3′, is long lived & drought tolerant, this special plant is a host to 3 butterflies & is one of the best pollinators for bees, butterflies & small insects.
What plants resemble hydrangeas?
Certain Viburnum species, especially those with snowball-like flowers, closely resemble hydrangeas, particularly the Mophead variety. 10. Snowball Bush Botanical Name: Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ This bush is strikingly similar to hydrangeas. It has large, spherical clusters of white flowers that gradually turn green as they age. 11. Astilbe
Are hydrangeas similar to lilacs?
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) Another plant that produces similar-looking flowers to hydrangeas is the common lilac. These pretty flowering shrubs are also expected to find where hydrangeas grow, and their flowers have similar characteristics. Lilacs and hydrangeas both bloom in the spring, but hydrangeas bloom for longer.
Are rhododendrons the same as hydrangeas?
Rhododendron, like hydrangea, is a flowering bush with round clusters of petals. The flowers grow in many colors, including pink, purple, yellow, white, and red. Rhododendrons are larger than hydrangeas with some varieties being 20 feet wide. Their size and vibrancy make them an excellent border flower. Bloom Season: Spring through fall
Which cranberry bush looks like a hydrangea?
European Cranberry Bush If you are looking for flowering shrubs that look like Hydrangeas then the European Cranberry Bush or Viburnum Opulus is an excellent choice. It has lacecap-type white flowers in plain florets in spring, hanging clusters of raspberry-like red berries in October, and triple orbicular, maple-like, deep green leaves.
Are Egyptian star flowers similar to hydrangeas?
Egyptian star flowers bloom in the early spring and keep their blooms until late in the summer, which is another similarity between them and hydrangeas. The leaves are the same color and somewhat similar in shape, making it even easier to mistake Egyptian star flowers for hydrangeas.
How big do hydrangeas get?
Hydrangeas are one of those plants that makes a lasting impression because of the beautiful, snow globe-sized flower bunches. There are many varieties of hydrangeas, like lacecaps (H. macrophylla), that produce these large, awe-inspiring flowers. Hydrangeas are shrubs, climbers, or trees that can grow 3 to 6 feet tall, depending on the variety.