The flowers of the panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) have major differences compared to other hydrangea species. The individual flowers are usually arranged in elongated, conical panicles. The homeland of panicle hydrangeas is originally Japan and China.
Which panicle hydrangea varieties are the most common?
Popular panicle hydrangea varieties include Dharuma, Great Star, Grandiflora, Kyushu, Limelight, Phantom, Praecox, Pinky Winky, Silver Dollar, Tardiva, Unique, Vanille Fraise and Wim's Red. These varieties vary in flower color, shape, -time, height and width of growth.
Cream white flowers predominate
Most panicle hydrangeas bloom creamy white, although the color often changes to pink as they fade. In addition, many varieties bloom very late, with the dwarf hydrangea “Dharuma” being an exception. “Dharuma” shows its creamy white flowers in the months of May to June. Due to the early flowering, this variety is an exception to the rule! – the flowers were already planted the previous year. Therefore, you should not cut back “Dharuma” in spring; if necessary, the shoots should be shortened slightly.
| Variety | Flower color | Flower shape | Flowering time | Growth height | Growth width | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dharuma | cream white | conical, loose | May to June | 50cm | 80cm | Dwarf hydrangea |
| Great Star | cream white to pink | conical | July to September | 200cm | 150cm | fast-growing |
| Grandiflora | cream white to pink | cone-shaped, very dense | July to September | 200cm | 250cm | big flowers |
| Kyushu | cream white to pink | conical, narrow panicles | July to September | 300cm | 300cm | floriferous |
| Limelight | light yellow to white | conical, thick panicles | July to August | 200cm | 200cm | dries well |
| Phantom | cream white to pink | conical, wide panicles | August to October | 120cm | 150cm | good for pots |
| Praecox | yellowish-white to pink | conical, short panicles | June to August | 200cm | 200cm | wide, bushy shrub |
| Pinky Winky | white-lime to reddish | conical, thick panicles | August to September | 200cm | 150cm | panicles up to 30 cm long |
| Silver Dollar | green-white to soft pink | very wide panicles, conical | August to September | 150cm | 200cm | compact, wide shrub |
| Tardiva | cream white to pink | conical, loose | August to October | 250cm | 350cm | late blooming |
| Unique | cream white to pink | squat | July to September | 200cm | 300cm | strong growth |
| Vanilla Fraise | cream white to pink | conical, wide | August to September | 200cm | 150cm | fast-growing |
| Wim’s Red | cream white to bordeaux | easy | August to September | 150cm | 150cm | good in mixed discounts |
Tips & Tricks
Panicle hydrangeas can be trained very well as a tree or standard tree. In their homeland, the bushes can grow up to seven meters high, but can be cultivated as a small bush with regular pruning.
