If we had to assign the title of Garden Queen to any plant it would likely be the hydrangea paniculata. Panicled hydrangeas are nothing less than spectacular with a commanding presence in any landscape or garden. Their gigantic cone-shaped blooms take on the summer with startling beauty as well as reliability. Since all of the flower buds form in early spring, winter can’t get its frozen fingers on them. In other words, no hydrangea disappointment! Instead, you’ll see midsummer blooms that bestow their grace onto all other plants in their realm. Your garden will finally look complete.
The paniculatas are hardy to zone 3 so our area is ideal for them. Easy and versatile, they are great for hedges, as small trees, in groupings, or as a specimen. They can be grown in part shade although full sun will result in better blooming. Good soil is certainly a plus for any plant, but paniculatas are not especially picky so very little in the way of maintenance is required once they take off. These hydrangeas change their own colors without the help of extra amendments.
Prune in late winter for the strongest stems, feed once in the spring, and then go about your other gardening chores while your paniculata readies itself for a royal entrance!
Find out about this season’s favorite five!
‘Strawberry Sundae’ What sets it apart? The compact plant-it-anywhere size.
From First Edition Plants Strawberry Sundae is a delicious compact hydrangea. Flowers emerge creamy white in mid-summer, change to pink as night temperatures drop and finally to strawberry red. The fantastic flower color lasts well into fall. With its compact habit, this hydrangea adds spectacular color and impressive flowers to small space gardens. Mature size: 4-5’x3-4′.
‘Vanilla Strawberry’ What sets it apart? The sweet strawberry color.
‘Pinky Winky’ What sets it apart? Huge two-toned blooms all season.
Pinky Winky is like a lace-cap on steroids! Lacy conical blooms easily more than a foot tall emerge white in summer and then begin their color change. As the base of each panicle turns pink, the top continues to produce white florets. It’s a two-toned showstopper! Pinky Winky is very adaptable to most soils and never fails to impress the gardener who plants it. Mature size: 6-8’x6-8’.
‘Limelight’ What sets it apart? Fast-growing, long-lived, and unique color.
This is the big award winner of the paniculatas! It’s unique in every way. The huge flowers open in a creamy green that becomes crisp and intense as the season progresses. When the weather cools each bloom shows varying amounts of green, pink, and red right through fall. All paniculatas are reliable and ‘Limelight’ never fails to live up to its reputation. Mature size: 6-8’x6-8’.
‘QuickFire’ What sets it apart? The earliest paniculata to bloom and the brilliant fall foliage.
QuickFire begins putting out gorgeous bright white blooms in June. the panicles have a lovely, lacy effect similar to Pinky Winky. The flowers age to pink and then deep, rosy red. This is a paniculata with an added bonus! The leaves turn gold and burgundy in the fall. Mature size: 6-8’x6-8’.