Hydrangeas: The Show-Stopping Favorites of New England Landscapes

It’s no surprise that hydrangeas top our list of most-planted shrubs each year—this season alone, our team at Ahronian Landscaping & Design installed over 130 of them! Loved for their large, colorful blooms, versatility, and timeless charm, hydrangeas are a staple of classic landscape design. Whether you prefer the elegance of tree-form varieties or the compact beauty of dwarf options, there’s a hydrangea for every yard and every homeowner.

Endless Variety: Size, Shape, and Color

One of the reasons hydrangeas are so beloved is their incredible diversity. They come in an array of sizes, shapes, and hues—each offering something special to the landscape.

• A Multitude of Sizes – From small, tidy dwarf varieties perfect for borders or containers to striking tree-form hydrangeas that create stunning focal points, there’s a form for every setting.

• A Palette of Colors – Hydrangeas bloom in shades of white, pink, blue, and purple. Some varieties, like the popular Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea, shift color through the season—from creamy white to soft pink as temperatures change.

• Beautiful Bloom Forms – Their showy blossoms come in a range of shapes—round mopheads, delicate lace caps, or elongated conical clusters—each adding texture and drama to the garden.

• Long Blooming Season – Hydrangeas are among the longest bloomers in the garden, brightening landscapes from early summer into fall.

Choosing the Right Hydrangea for Your Landscape

With so many hydrangea varieties, thoughtful garden design is key. Each species has unique growing preferences, from sunlight to moisture levels.

• Sun or Shade? – Some hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, while others prefer full sun. Oakleaf hydrangeas, for example, can handle more shade and are easily recognized by their lobed leaves that resemble those of an oak tree.

• Plan for Size – Picking the right plant for the right place prevents overgrowth, especially near foundations or walkways. Dwarf varieties like Bobo or Let’s Dance are perfect for smaller spaces, while larger types fill out mixed borders beautifully.

• Design Versatility – Hydrangeas look stunning just about anywhere—along the foundation of a home, near a pool area, or in layered garden beds. They’re equally eye-catching when planted in rows or as standalone accents.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs, meaning they lose their leaves in winter, but with the right care, they’ll return each year even more vibrant. Here are a few essentials for success:

• Pruning Matters – Each hydrangea species has different pruning needs, depending on whether it blooms on old wood, new wood, or both. Having a professional who can identify your hydrangea type ensures it’s pruned at the right time and in the right way.

• Deer Awareness – Deer love hydrangeas, so if your property isn’t fenced or you live in an area with high deer pressure, it’s important to apply repellent regularly to protect your investment.

• Soil and pH – Soil acidity can affect bloom color. In some species, more acidic soils produce blue flowers, while alkaline soils bring out pink and purple tones. A soil test can help you achieve the shades you love.

Tree-Form Hydrangeas: Standing Tall in Winter

We’ve fallen especially in love with the tree-form hydrangeas we’ve been planting this year. Their sculptural shape and large, cloud-like flowers bring vertical interest and elegance to any landscape design. Even as their leaves drop in late fall, their dried blooms and strong branching structure continue to add winter interest, especially when accented by snow or subtle lighting.

The Perfect Plant for Every Season

Hydrangeas embody everything we love about seasonal landscaping—beauty, resilience, and variety. With proper care and placement, they’ll reward you year after year with reliable color and structure. Whether you’re looking to add a single statement shrub or redesign an entire garden bed, hydrangeas offer endless design potential.

At Ahronian Landscaping & Design, we specialize in helping homeowners choose the perfect plants for their property. From compact hydrangeas that brighten small spaces to graceful tree-form specimens that anchor a landscape, we’ll make sure your garden blooms beautifully for years to come.

The Beauty of Blue Spruce: A Perfect Evergreen for Year-Round Interest

As the colors of fall begin to fade and the landscape shifts toward winter, evergreen trees take the spotlight—adding structure, color, and life to our surroundings. One standout species that offers exceptional beauty and resilience is the Blue Spruce. Known for its striking silvery-blue needles and classic pyramidal shape, this hardy evergreen provides year-round interest and has long been a favorite in New England landscapes.

At Ahronian Landscaping & Design, we love planting Blue Spruce trees for their strength, elegance, and versatility—and this year, we even helped share them with our community by handing out seedlings at the Holliston Home Expo and Celebrate Holliston. Watching these small trees grow alongside the families who planted them perfectly captures what we value most about seasonal landscaping: growth, connection, and longevity.

Why Choose a Blue Spruce?

The Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) offers both beauty and durability, making it an excellent choice for homeowners looking for low-maintenance evergreens that thrive in New England’s climate.

• Hardy & Adaptable – Blue Spruce trees are hardy in our growing zone and handle cold Massachusetts winters with ease. Once established, they can even tolerate drought conditions.

• Sun-Loving & Resilient – These evergreens prefer full sun and tolerate air pollution and road salt, making them well-suited for both suburban and urban settings—even near driveways or streets.

• Elegant Form & Color – Their natural pyramidal shape and vibrant blue-green needles add depth and color to the landscape all year long. During the holidays, they look especially magical, dusted with snow or decorated with twinkling lights.

• Low Maintenance & Deer Resistant – Blue Spruce trees are naturally low-maintenance, needing little pruning and offering great deer tolerance. They’re perfect for homeowners seeking lasting beauty with minimal upkeep.

• Variety of Sizes – Mature Blue Spruce trees can reach 40–60 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide, but there are also dwarf and compact varieties that grow as small as three feet—available in globe or conical forms, ideal for smaller gardens.

Planting Tips for Success

For long-term success, proper tree planting and placement are essential.

• Give It Space – Plant at least 20–30 feet from your home or other large trees to allow full growth without crowding. Blue Spruce trees like room to spread and don’t thrive in tight spaces.

• Soil & Drainage – Choose well-drained soil to prevent root rot. While Blue Spruce can tolerate a range of conditions, they prefer not to sit in overly wet areas.

• Sun Exposure – Make sure they receive plenty of sunlight—this is key to maintaining their strong shape and rich blue color.

• Ongoing Care – Like all evergreens, Blue Spruce trees should be watered consistently until the ground freezes to help their roots stay healthy through the winter.

Growing With the Community

Last fall, we partnered with the Holliston Lions Club to plant a Blue Spruce in Blair Square in the heart of Holliston. The tree symbolizes growth, community, and the future—a living reminder of how seasonal landscaping connects people and places. For the families who brought home small Blue Spruce seedlings from this year’s events, each tree will tell a story as it grows: a story of time, care, and the beauty of nature right at home.

A Perfect Tree for the Season—and Beyond

As we enter the colder months, evergreens remind us that the landscape is never truly asleep. The Blue Spruce offers strength, color, and charm when the rest of the garden rests. Whether you’re looking to enhance your property with a statement tree, add structure to your winter landscape, or carry on the tradition of planting evergreens for the next generation, this beautiful evergreen is the perfect choice.

At Ahronian Landscaping & Design, we bring decades of experience in landscape design and professional tree planting throughout Massachusetts. If you’re inspired to add a Blue Spruce—or other evergreens—to your property this season, contact us to help you choose the right tree for the right spot.