Fall is a good time to plant and enjoy the luscious flowers of panicle hydrangea shrubs (Hydrangea paniculata). Panicle hydrangeas differ from the Big Leaf (Endless Summer) or Smooth Leaf (‘Annabelle’ varieties) with their woody stems & cone-shaped flowers. Their low maintenance qualities of little or no pruning, sun or part-sun needs & drought tolerance make this hydrangea a ‘must-have’ shrub in our area.
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TIPS:
When to Plant: Plant in spring or fall when weather is milder to avoid transplant shock or extreme heat and cold.
Where to Plant: Panicle hydrangeas need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. In our zone 5, more sun is better for blooming.
How to Plant: Loosen the soil in the planting area and dig a hole that is twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball. First, add compost or organic matter to improve the soil. If you’re planting in a container, use Pasquesi Potting Mix or BlackGold Moisture Supreme Container Mix instead of a denser garden soil. Add a slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting.Â
After Planting: Water the shrub deeply during its first year or two. Once established, panicles can tolerate dry conditions, but too much hot, dry weather can affect blooming. It helps to add a 2-3 inch layer of shredded bark mulch to retain moisture. Panicle hydrangeas can tolerate most types of soil, including clay soils, as long as the soil is well-drained. The flowers are not affected by soil pH like the pink or blue flowers of the Big Leaf hydrangeas.
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Here are a few classic hydrangeas with many reasons to give them a try in your garden.
Quick Fire Fab (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Quick Fire Fab’):
- Enjoy a few extra weeks of fabulous blooms with ‘Quick Fire Fab’, the earliest blooming panicle hydrangea.Â
- Unique X-shaped flowers go from white to pink to bright pink to deep red throughout the season.
- Strong, sturdy stems keep flowers clean, upright and showy all year round.
- Good fall interest
- Deadheading is not necessary.
- Height: 6 – 8′;Â Spread: 5 – 6′
Fire Light (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Fire Light’):
- Exceptionally hardy… growing and flowering well… even down to zone 3.
- Large flowers age to red early on in the summer for a colorful display.
- Low maintenance and easy to grow… a perfect shrub for beginners.
- Stunning fall interest.
- Deadheading is not necessary.
- Long blooming time
- Height: 6 – 8′;Â Spread: 6 – 8′
Limelight (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’):
- ‘Limelight’ is a time-tested classic that graces the yards of thousands of homes across North America.
- Large flowers have a unique color that looks great with any style or house color.
- Blooms every year, even in cold climates… winter doesn’t usually affect it at all.
- Long bloom time
- Changes from white/green to a rosy color for fall interest.
- Drought tolerant
- Height: 6 – 8′;Â Spread: 6 – 8′Â
Little Quick Fire (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Quick Fire’):
- Like ‘Quick Fire’, the dwarf form ‘Little Quick Fire’ flowers about a month before other panicle hydrangeas. White flowers turn to pink-red as summer progresses. Since it’s smaller, ‘Little Quick Fire’ easily fits into any landscape, including containers. Add it to an existing hydrangea grouping to extend the blooming season!
- Months of colorful flowers attract butterflies and bees.
- Compact size
- Easy care
- Drought tolerant
- Award winner… Hydrangea of the Year 2022
Bobo (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’):
- ‘Bobo’ is covered with a cloud of white flowers in summer. The flowers are held upright on strong stems that continue to grow and lengthen as they bloom… no flopping, unlike some panicle hydrangeas. As the flowers age, they turn pink.
- Compact size
- Easy care
- Drought tolerant
- Award-winning, gold medal from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 2021 for exceptional perennials and pollinator-friendly plants that are easy to grow, pest resistant, and weather tolerant.
Pinky Winky (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky Winky’):
- The large, white panicles open in mid- to late-summer. As summer turns to autumn, the florets at the bottom of the panicles turn pink. The panicle continues to grow, producing new white florets at the tip. The result is spectacular! The two-toned flowers can reach up to 16 inches in length. ‘Pinky Winky’ will thrive in most landscapes by being adaptable to many soil types and amendable to both sun and shade.Â
- Fall interest with pink and tan flowers
- Easy care
- Drought tolerant
- Award winner and a customer favorite
- Tall shrub
- Height: 72 – 96″;Â Spread: 72 – 96″
                                                                                 -Provenwinners.com
