H. paniculata ‘Little Lime’

Hydrangea ‘Quick Fire’

Panicle, PeeGee or PG hydrangeas (Hydrangea panculata) brighten up the July and August garden landscape. They’re native to China and Japan.

They grow and bloom almost anywhere in the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3 – 8). Unlike mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla), that often fail in full day sun, PGs excel in 6 hours or more of sun.

PG hydrangeas are vigorous growers with upright branching and coarse textured deciduous foliage. Depending on variety, shrubs grow 3-15 feet (some to 25 feet) tall. Multi-branched shoots are clothe with dark green, oval shaped leaves and are topped with upright, sharply-pointed, conical, 6-8 inch long terminal flower panicles. Flowers may be a mix of both fertile and sterile florets and bloom from mid-summer into fall. PG hydrangeas are pruned any time from late fall to mid-spring. They may also be trained into a tree form.

Most gardeners today know PGs by the best selling cultivar ‘Limelight’ which has become the standard for excellence. It grows 6-10 feet tall (depending on amount of annual pruning provided); heavy with 6-8 inch, conical shaped, terminal flower panicles; branching is very upright.

‘Limelight’ at NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC

Three of “new” best paniculatas are:

‘Little Lime’ – grows 5-7 feet tall; large, tightly packed, lime-white flowers that turn shades of pink where summers are cool.

‘Quickfire’ – grow 6-8 feet tall and equally wide;  blooms are white, become pink after a few weeks, and finish rosy-pink.

Bobo™ – this Belgium introduction is a very compact size that is ideal size-wise in small gardens and patio containers; large white loose blooms midsummer to fall.

Bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, and mildew diseases and aphids and mites are occasional disease and insect problems. Poor site selection often enhances problems with diseases and pests.