
Boston’s hydrangeas might be the most colorful and vivacious we’ve ever witnessed! Last year’s mild winter coupled with an abundance of rain the past summer through fall produced favorable conditions for this summer’s hydrangeas to thrive!
Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival Founder, C.L. Fornari notes, there’s an “astounding amount of hydrangeas because the buds made it all through the year.” Temps above -10° Fahrenheit in winter prevent the deep freeze that shocks hydrangea buds and prevents them from blooming in summer. With hardly any winter days below freezing this year, the buds were able to bloom, creating an abundance of mopheads throughout New England. Find below the best spots to view hydrangeas in Boston and a little bit beyond, for some of the season’s best:
1. Boston Public Garden🪻
Catch hydrangeas in their full glory throughout corners of the Public Garden and Common!
2. Beacon Hill🪻
Continue from the Public Garden through Beacon Hill for planters and window boxes of hydrangeas!
3. Back Bay🪻
Let the hydrangea adventure continue, stroll any street of Back Bay, like Comm Ave or Marlborough for rows and rows of the flowering beauties!
4. Charles River Esplanade🪻
There aren’t a ton of hydrangeas along the Charles, but you will spot them along the banks of Cambridge and Boston from time to time.
5. Arnold Arboretum🪻
Not only will you find hydrangeas at this 281-acre garden, you’ll find hundreds of other blooming plants to admire!
6. Fenway Victory Gardens🪻
Each garden has its own unique assortment of plants. Poke around to find hydrangeas coloring different boxes!
7. Fan Pier Park🪻
Hydrangeas plus waterfront views? Count us in!
For even more hydrangea blooms, visit this massive 155-variety hydrangea garden just 1 hour from Boston!
8. Charlestown Navy Yard🪻
Find even more fruity pebble hydrangeas coloring the waterfronts of Boston in Charlestown!
9. Nantucket🪻
For some of New England’s most stunning hydrangeas, a summer escape from Boston to the Cape and islands is a must! Flower enthusiasts delight in hydrangeas juxtaposed with grey shingled buildings across this 13-mile island. This ACK hotel is a great spot for lodging and hydrangea spotting!
Best spots for hydrangeas on Nantucket:
- Lincoln Avenue, Nantucket
- Old North Wharf
- Intersection of Orange Street and Plumb Lane
- Cliff Road
- Sconset
10. Cape Cod🪻
The Cape is home to the Hydrangea Garden and Festival, so no wonder it’s a great place only 1 hour from Boston to admire the flowers!
Best spots for hydrangeas on Cape Cod:
- Botanical Hydrangea Garden
- Chatham Bars Inn
- Shore Road, Chatham