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dark blue hydrangea

If you’re searching for a vibrant and captivating addition to your garden, a dark blue hydrangea is the perfect choice to deliver stunning colour and year-round interest. With their rich, dramatic blooms, blue hydrangeas add a touch of elegance to garden beds, shaded corners, and even patio pots. Their striking flower heads bring a sense of calm and depth to your outdoor space, and they’re renowned for captivating as both feature plants and backdrop shrubs. Whether you’re new to hydrangeas or a lover of these old-fashioned favourites, growing a dark blue hydrangea in New Zealand is a rewarding experience—with a little know-how, you can enjoy that coveted, intensely blue colour.

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Dichroa 'Blue Stars' (Evergreen Hydrangea)

5 from 5 customers

Dichroa 'Blue Stars' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its clusters of intense blue star shaped flowers followed by brilliant metallic blue berries. The combination of vivid blooms and glossy fruit creates outstanding seasonal interest from summer into autumn.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.25 m
Spread: 1.25 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
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Hydrangea 'Blue Wave'

Hydrangea 'Blue Wave' is a stunning lacecap hydrangea known for its vibrant blue flower centres surrounded by delicate outer florets. Flowering through summer, it adds texture and colour to NZ gardens while its lush foliage provides structure.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.25 m
Spread: 1.25 m
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
A purple-blue Hydrangea 'Renate Steiniger' flower.
Hydrangea 'Renate Steiniger'

Hydrangea 'Renate Steiniger' is a stunning deciduous shrub admired for its vibrant rounded flower heads and lush green foliage. Flowering abundantly...

From$99.95
Gorgeous Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha' pink flowers.
Hydrangea 'Ayesha'

Hydrangea 'Ayesha' is a distinctive variety prized for its lilac-like flower clusters and subtle fragrance. The waxy, spoon-shaped petals and glossy...

From$27.95
Hydrangea 'Blueberries and Cream' blue flower with cream-coloured florets.
Hydrangea 'Blueberries and Cream'

Hydrangea 'Blueberries and Cream' is a stunning deciduous shrub admired for its beautiful lacecap flowers featuring creamy white outer florets...

From$27.95
Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue' hedge.
Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue' (Blue Tōtara)

Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue', also known as Blue Totara, is a stunning New Zealand native tree prized for its striking blue-green foliage and tidy...

From$30.29
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...

From$18.63
Hydrangea 'Nigra' shrub with blue flowers.
Hydrangea 'Nigra'

Hydrangea 'Nigra' is a distinctive deciduous shrub admired for its striking dark stems, lush green foliage, and elegant flower heads. Flowering...

From$27.95
Large Jacaranda mimosifolia tree with blue flowers.
Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda)

Jacaranda mimosifolia, commonly known as the Blue Jacaranda tree, is a tropical-looking tree that is widely planted because of its beautiful and...

From$37.19
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone' shrubs with green foliage in pots.
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone'

Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone' is a dwarf conifer that features dense and erect sprays of green foliage. It gets its name from the blue cones produced...

From$289.95
A Picea pungens 'Glauca' (Colorado Blue Spruce) tree.
Picea pungens 'Glauca'

Picea pungens 'Glauca', commonly known as the Colorado Blue Spruce, is a blue coloured conifer that grows with a broad and open, pyramidal shape. The...

From$515.35
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' (Blue Atlas Cedar) large specimen tree in a park.
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca', also known as Blue Atlas Cedar, is a striking evergreen conifer ideal for New Zealand gardens. Its silvery-blue needles...

From$340.69
juncus-blue-dart-
Juncus 'Blue Dart' (Blue Rush)

Juncus 'Blue Dart' is a striking ornamental rush prized for its upright blue green foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen plant...

From$18.29
Salvia 'Aztec Blue' plants with elegant blue flowers above green foliage.
Salvia 'Aztec Blue'

Salvia 'Aztec Blue' is an eye catching perennial admired for its bold cobalt blue flower spikes that bloom heavily from late spring through autumn in...

From$27.53
Westringia 'Blue Gem' low hedge with elegant mauve coloured flowers.
Westringia 'Blue Gem'

Westringia 'Blue Gem' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its fine grey green foliage, naturally dense rounded habit, and masses of soft blue...

From$19.95
hosta-blue-mouse-ears--5
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a compact perennial prized for its rounded blue green foliage and tidy growth habit. It is an excellent choice for adding...

From$24.77
cupressus-blue-ice-4
Cupressus 'Blue Ice' (Blue Arizona Cypress)

Cupressus 'Blue Ice' is a striking evergreen conifer admired for its vibrant icy blue foliage and strong upright growth habit. This hardy tree...

From$270.40
hydrangea-macrophylla-geoffrey-chadbund-1
Hydrangea 'Geoffrey Chadbund'

Hydrangea 'Geoffrey Chadbund' is a beautiful deciduous shrub admired for its large rounded flower heads and lush green foliage. Flowering through...

From$27.95
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' plant with blue flowers.
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' is a compact catmint with aromatic silvery green foliage and rich blue flower spikes through the warmer months. The rounded...

From$17.87
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Leuchtfeuer' pink and cream-coloured flowers.
Hydrangea 'Leuchtfeuer'

Hydrangea 'Leuchtfeuer' is a vibrant mophead hydrangea celebrated for its large rounded blooms in intense deep red to crimson tones. This striking...

From$27.95
hydrangea-macrophylla-alpen-gluten-
Hydrangea 'Alpen Gluten'

Hydrangea 'Alpen Gluten' is a striking deciduous shrub known for its large flower heads that bring bold colour and presence to NZ gardens. Flowering...

From$27.95
agapanthus-lapis-5
Agapanthus 'Lapis'

Agapanthus 'Lapis' is a compact and elegant perennial prized for its abundant clusters of rich blue flowers that appear above tidy clumps of lush...

From$13.95
A colourful Hydrangea 'Raspberry Crush' flower.
Hydrangea 'Raspberry Crush'

Hydrangea 'Raspberry Crush' is a stunning deciduous shrub admired for its vibrant raspberry pink flower heads and lush green foliage. Flowering...

From$36.95
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue) grass growing in a garden.
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue)

Festuca coxii, commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a hardy NZ native, ornamental grass that features fine, blue foliage. Straw-coloured seed heads...

From$14.49
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1
Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.49
An upright Rosemary 'Tuscan Blue' shrub with blue flowers in a Mediterranean themed garden.
Rosmarinus 'Tuscan Blue'

The 'Tuscan Blue' Rosemary is a fast-growing and upright variety that features petite, sky-blue flowers borne amidst the dark green leaves through...

From$22.95
eucalyptus-baby-blue-2
Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' (Silver Gum)

Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' is a highly popular evergreen tree admired for its stunning silver blue foliage and strong ornamental appeal. The rounded...

From$408.85
Blueberry 'Powder Blue' blue berries with lush, green foliage.
Blueberry 'Powder Blue'

Blueberry 'Powder Blue' is a late season blueberry variety valued for its sweet flavour, firm berries, and extended harvest period. This reliable...

From$27.95
echeveria-dark-prince-1
Echeveria 'Dark Prince'

Echeveria 'Dark Prince' is a stunning succulent admired for its compact rosettes of deep burgundy to near black leaves. The dramatic colour creates...

From$14.95
Dichroa versicolor blue flowers amidst lush green foliage.
Dichroa versicolor (Blue Evergreen Hydrangea)

Dichroa versicolor is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its clusters of vibrant blue to violet flowers followed by glossy metallic blue berries...

OUT OF STOCK
Hydrangea 'Flower Master Blue' plants in a country garden and covered in blue flowers.
Hydrangea 'Flower Master Blue'

Hydrangea 'Flower Master Blue' is a striking deciduous shrub known for its large rich blue mophead flowers that create bold summer colour in New...

OUT OF STOCK
Ceanothus 'Dark Star' shrub with blue flowers and lush green foliage.
Ceanothus 'Dark Star'

Ceanothus 'Dark Star' is a popular variety due to its intense flowering and lovely form. It becomes smothered in pretty, blue flowers in spring. The...

OUT OF STOCK
Dichroa 'Blue Stars' (Evergreen Hydrangea)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Ajuga, Dichroa, and Hydrangea, or related Categories - Conifer Shrubs, Groundcover Plants, and Deciduous Shrubs.

Search dark blue hydrangea

What Makes a Hydrangea Bloom Dark Blue?

The secret behind a true dark blue hydrangea lies in both variety and soil chemistry. Most commonly, mophead or lacecap hydrangeas can display blue hues, but only when grown in acidic soil with ample aluminium. The more acidic your soil (ideally with a pH of 5 to 5.5), the richer the blue. Amend alkaline soils with garden sulphur or aluminium sulphate to intensify your flowers. For those who want a guaranteed shade, consider varieties bred for their impactful colour, such as Hydrangea Nightingale with its saturated violet-blue blooms, or the much-loved Hydrangea Mariesii Perfecta.

Top Dark Blue Hydrangea Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Choosing the perfect dark blue hydrangea for your garden depends on flower form, growth habit, and how it fits with your landscape. Some favourites include:

For gardeners seeking something a little different, Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea) offers incredible blue berry-like fruit after flowering, along with stunning blue blooms, on an evergreen shrub.

Growing Tips for Intense Blue Colour

To achieve and maintain that sought-after dark blue hydrangea shade, plant in dappled shade with well-drained, moisture-retentive soil. Be sure to mulch with leaf mould or pine needles and water deeply during dry spells. Test your soil pH and adjust as needed with acidifying agents. Feed with a hydrangea-specific fertiliser low in phosphorus to avoid pinking. Prune after flowering to encourage robust new growth and more flower heads next season.

Hydrangea Companion Planting and Design Ideas

Dark blue hydrangeas make a dramatic statement paired with silver-leaved foliage, white-flowering perennials, and woodland natives. Their long-lasting blooms are ideal for cut flower arrangements, drying, and adding structure to informal borders. For extended seasonal interest, combine classic hydrangeas with Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea), which holds its evergreen leaves all year.

Bring the Richest Blue to Your Garden

A dark blue hydrangea brings unrivalled richness, charm, and easy-care beauty to Kiwi gardens. Explore your favourite varieties such as Hydrangea Mariesii Perfecta, Hydrangea Nightingale, Hydrangea Garten Baudirektor Kuhnert, and Hydrangea Renate Steiniger to find your perfect match and enjoy a garden awash in true, vivid blue.


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