I would research these two: Mme Mouillere and Sister Therese.(sometimes called Sister Teresa or Soeur Thérèse in French). Very nice, tough and reliable. If you want a rebloomer, research White Out.

You can also try Annabelle or one of its relatives. Blusing Bride is another possibility but it is not as white as the others; has a slight blue or pink tint.

Last but not least, paniculatas and oakleafs also bloom white but the bloom form is not a mophead.

This post was edited by luis_pr on Wed, May 1, 13 at 22:27

Mouillere's big, fast, tough and can take sun. ES BB can stall out in sun and get leggy, and ST supposedly doesn't take sun well...

And those are just mopheads. Otherwise go with an oakleaf or paniculata with all sterile flowers. All of those kinds are primarily white...

Thank you for the suggestions. I am trying to find out from her if she does want a mophead or if she'll like an oak leaf instead. I haven't had a chance to find out what hydrangeas my local greenhouses or other stores sell, though the one only had maybe two hydrangea varieties to choose from--neither of them white. Just in case, I have searched Amazon and there are a few of the ones you both suggested. That will be my last resort option since shipping prices are higher and the plants sometimes are much smaller.

There's another thread about Wedding Gown! In it, GreenHavenGarden reports that she bought 8 Wedding Gowns at her local Home Depot in Connecticut last year & loves them.

Here is a link that might be useful: More about Wedding Gown

I googled Wedding Gown (Dancing Snow), and the two sites I checked said it is a lacecap hydrangea. I still don't know which type my friend wants, but I know lacecap is out. I think when she saw pictures of hydrangeas they were mophead since she had color options, so I'm planning on a mophead unless she tells me otherwise. Thanks for the suggestion though.

'Peace' is another one, a double-flowering variety if you desire - most commonly found in the Forever & Ever series. It's a double flowering mop/lace combo, meaning once the bloom is full, it looks like a mophead.

I got a one gallon last year, which produced a couple large blooms almost a foot across! I'm watching it's current growth (it's in the ground) for early bud production, etc.

Wedding Gown is astouding for aother reason too besides the early bloom and reblooming. The red fall color phase can be astounding on this otherwise considered white flowered beauty!

You could call it "Burgandy and Ice", "White Surprize", or ''Snow White Becomes Evil Queen"?

Spring / Summer Phase

Fall Phase

We received our order from Wayside Gardens and it was perfect! They have a specialized packing box that kept it from being crushed and came with lots of soil and in perfect condition. Our other order was from Joy Creek Nursery and as all their plants that we have ordered - were also beautifully packed and in large containers. I use Joy Creek a lot because they have unusual varieties and they are so reliable. The office staff is very helpful and are only a phone call away. The order from Wayside, Miss Saori, was the first plant we have ordered from them in many years and I will certainly order again.

I recently received several hydrangea from Joy Creek and have also purchased from Hydrangea Plus they both do a great job. Hydrangea Plus can look more expensive until you figure out these are for 3 yr old plants and you can sort down to 2 or one year old.