Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

unusual hydrangeas

If you’re searching for unusual hydrangeas to make your New Zealand garden stand out, you’re in the right place. While classic varieties bring timeless beauty, there’s a whole world of unique hydrangeas with exceptional features—unexpected colour palettes, rare forms, and even evergreen foliage. Whether you’re an avid collector or a gardener wanting to surprise visitors, introducing these standout varieties will elevate any landscape.

Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea)

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. Ideal for New Zealand gardens, this unique shrub adds bold colour, texture, and year round structure to sheltered borders and woodland style plantings.

Buy Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea)

From $29.63

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.50 m

Spread: 1.50 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock

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. Ideal for borders, containers, and feature planting, it offers reliable performance and a refined, classic look.

Buy Hydrangea 'Blue Wave'

From $29.63

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.20 m

Spread: 1.20 m

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock

What Makes a Hydrangea Unusual?

Unusual hydrangeas break away from the familiar pastel mounds, offering surprising shapes, bold hues, or novel growth habits. Some showcase intricate double blooms, deep and dramatic shades, lacecap forms, or even the ability to climb. Others shine for their persistence through winter as evergreens, a true rarity among hydrangeas. These distinct traits add intrigue and conversation to your garden beds, borders, or shady nooks.

Top Picks for Unusual Hydrangeas in New Zealand

Hydrangea seemanii

Few hydrangeas are as distinctive as Hydrangea seemanii. This climbing variety weaves up trellises, fences, or trees with charming clusters of white lacecap flowers. Its leathery, deep green leaves are semi-evergreen in sheltered spots, and the climbing habit sets it apart from the classic bushy forms.

Hydrangea You Me Emotion

For extraordinary blooms, Hydrangea You Me Emotion delivers. Its double, rosette-like flowers steal the spotlight, opening in soft pinks or purples depending on your soil. The unusual, ruffled petals give each flower head a lush, three-dimensional quality that’s truly unforgettable.

Hydrangea 'Zaunkonig'

Gardeners hunting for dramatic colour should consider Hydrangea 'Zaunkonig'. This unusual hydrangea boasts some of the deepest purple blooms available, offering late-season impact in mixed borders or containers. The striking colour holds well, maintaining its vibrancy even as the season progresses.

Hydrangea Madame Plumecoq

A true collector’s choice, Hydrangea Madame Plumecoq is celebrated for its lacy clusters of pure white flowers, which arch elegantly above handsome green foliage. Its delicate flowers provide a lovely contrast among bolder garden companions.

Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea)

If you’re after an evergreen hydrangea, Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea) is an exciting discovery. It offers glossy leaves year-round and electric blue flower clusters in summer—a rare and sought-after combination for New Zealand landscapes.

How to Grow and Enjoy Unusual Hydrangeas

Most unusual hydrangeas thrive in part shade and well-drained but moisture-retentive soils. Amending your soil and mulching around the base helps support strong growth and vivid blooms. For climbing varieties like Hydrangea seemanii, provide a sturdy structure and let their flowers cascade for a spectacular effect.

Unusual hydrangeas are perfect for accent planting, woodland borders, or as statement shrubs in mixed beds. Combine several forms for a hydrangea collection that offers interest across the seasons.

Add Rare Beauty to Your Garden

Choosing unusual hydrangeas is a simple yet striking way to elevate your outdoor space with plants that truly stand apart. Whether you’re drawn by rare colours, climbing habits, or winter interest, these unique hydrangeas promise to enchant friends, family, and garden visitors year after year.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

unusual hydrangeas

Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea)

Hydrangea 'Blue Wave'

Did you find what you are looking for?

What Makes a Hydrangea Unusual?