Pranicle hydrangeas impress with their decorative flowers. If you consider the needs of the shrubs, panicle hydrangeas require little care. By choosing the right location, you can enjoy lush flowers. The popular ornamental shrubs grow in locations with optimal water supply.
What conditions and care do panicle hydrangeas require?
Panicle hydrangeas prefer a partially shaded to sunny location with wind-protected conditions and fresh, moist, humus-rich soil. They require little care and bloom profusely between July and October. Popular varieties include 'Grandiflora', 'Limelight' and 'Magical Mont Blanc'.
Origin
All varieties of panicle hydrangeas belong to the species Hydrangea paniculata, which is part of the hydrangea family. The plants are native to the temperate latitudes of Asia. They grow on the Russian Kuril Island chain and on Sakhalin. The main distribution areas are in China and Japan. Here the species grows in moist forests and floodplains and on river banks. Panicle hydrangeas grow at altitudes between 300 and 3,100 meters. In the USA the species is considered naturalized.
Growth
Pranicle hydrangeas grow as woody shrubs and small trees. They develop many forked branches, the bark of which is light gray when young and has ocher nuances. As they age, the branches become darker in color. Old shoots are surrounded by a grayish brown bark. It peels off like paper. Hydrangea paniculata reaches heights of between one and five meters. They extend up to three meters in width. Panicle hydrangeas have an annual growth of 25 centimeters, which increases through pruning.
leaves
The foliage of panicle hydrangeas is in whorls of two or three on the branch. The leaves are divided into a one to three centimeter long stem and a five to 14 centimeter long leaf blade. The blade is broad to oval or ovoid in shape. It tapers to a point and has a rounded or wedge-shaped base. Its edge is finely said.
The leaf surface appears dull green due to the rough hair, while the underside, which only has hair on the nerves, is colored gray-green. Autumn color varies depending on the location. Panicle hydrangeas develop greenish to yellow autumn tones under nutrient-poor and dry conditions.
Bloom
Hydrangea paniculata bears paniculate inflorescences that are up to 26 centimeters long and arise at the end of a shoot. In the lower part of the inflorescence there are sterile flowers that act as an attractant. Their sepals are noticeably enlarged and brightly colored. At the top there are fertile flowers, which are composed of sepals and petals. The petals are white and less conspicuous than the lower flowers.
Flowering time
The white, cream, wine red or pink flowers appear between July and October. The flowering time varies depending on the variety. Over the course of the summer, some varieties change the color of their flowers.
Fruit
The capsule fruits ripen from October to November. They are elliptical in shape and contain between 30 and 100 seeds with a brown color. They have small wings at both ends, which make it easier for them to be spread by the wind. Some varieties are sterile and do not produce fruit.
Usage
Pranicle hydrangeas are suitable as solitary plants in the front garden. They decorate perennial beds, where they harmonize with other tall-growing species such as delphiniums. The shrubs can be used to create colorful flower hedges. You can plant panicle hydrangeas together with other moderately growing species.
These are suitable planting partners:
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)
- various rhododendron species
- Bee friend (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
Smaller varieties are suitable for planting in containers. When the flowers turn a pale pink in autumn, you can cut off the inflorescences and place them in a vase. When dried, the flowers remain attractive for a long time and decorate winter beds or dried bouquets.
Is panicle hydrangea poisonous?
Like all hydrangea plants, panicle hydrangeas contain various toxins such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrangenol, hydrangin and saponins. Since the concentration in all parts of the plant is low, mild symptoms of poisoning are to be expected after consuming large quantities. Dogs and cats can suffer from gastrointestinal problems just like people. The most common complaints in pets include vomiting and diarrhea. Children are quickly put off by the bitter taste of the flowers and leaves, so there are hardly any symptoms of poisoning.
Which location is suitable?
As a warmth-loving species, the panicle hydrangea likes a sunny or shady location. They also thrive in partial shade. Although many varieties are offered as shade-tolerant, the bushes suffer from a lack of light. Choose a place that is sheltered from the wind. In strong winds there is a risk that the inflorescences will break off.
What soil does the plant need?
Hydrangea paniculata prefers fresh to moist soil with a pH value in the acidic to neutral range. Small accumulations of lime in the substrate do not cause any problems for the plants. Sandy-gravelly substrates provide ideal conditions because they have high permeability. Panicle hydrangeas prefer humus-rich soils with a high proportion of nutrients.
Cuttings
Select a few annual shoots that are soft and about four to twelve inches long. Remove lower leaves and shoot tips. Halve larger leaves to reduce evaporation. Place the shoot in sufficiently moist growing substrate. It takes two to three weeks for the cutting to develop roots.
Cuttings
In autumn, cut wilted flower shoots into several pieces the length of a pencil and place them in humus-rich, moist garden soil. In a protected and partially shaded place, the cuttings will develop roots after a few weeks.
Pranicle hydrangeas in pots
Smaller varieties are suitable for planting in containers if sufficient water drainage is provided through drainage and drainage holes. Young panicle hydrangeas are not hardy and must overwinter in a frost-free place in the first year. From the second year onwards you can leave the pot outside with winter protection.
Watering panicle hydrangeas
The water requirement is higher in sunny places than in partial shade. Make sure that the soil remains constantly fresh to slightly moist. Short dry periods do not cause any problems for the bushes. In summer, water the plants thoroughly during the evening hours and, with potted plants, make sure that no water collects in the saucer.
Fertilize panicle hydrangeas properly
In spring, the perennial enjoys mineral fertilization. Additionally sprinkle organic fertilizer such as horn shavings onto the substrate. A slow-release fertilizer is recommended so that it has enough nutrients available throughout the summer. Alternatively, you should fertilize the perennials every eight to 14 days.
Cut panicle hydrangeas correctly
Pranicle hydrangeas grow from fresh wood and should not be cut back too far. In spring the bushes are cut back heavily. You can shorten the plant by a third to a half. Such pruning measures stimulate the perennial to form fresh shoots, but are not necessary.
Alternatively, you can thin out your shrub regularly in summer or remove wilted inflorescences in late summer. This will extend the flowering period, because panicle hydrangeas develop new flower panicles with long stems after late pruning. Heavy thinning is only recommended for plants that grow in a wind-protected location, as the fresh shoots are at risk of being broken by wind.
Important when editing:
- leave at least two pairs of eyes
- Short shoots by half
- completely remove weak branches or flower shoots that are too close together
How do I transplant correctly?
Pranicle hydrangeas that have been in one location for less than five years can be transplanted without any problems. Older shrubs have developed an extensive root system, so a change of location is associated with root loss. The ideal time for the measure is after flowering so that the shrub can grow in its new location until the onset of winter.
Cut off bare shoots and wilted stems and cut off a large root ball. Lift the root system out of the hole and place the shrub in the new location. Broken roots should be removed as they are of no benefit to the plant.
hardy
Frosty temperatures do not cause any problems for panicle hydrangeas. In particularly cold and snowless winter months, you should protect the bush with brushwood. This will prevent the shoots from freezing back and the shrub will be able to sprout better next spring. The fresh shoots can be endangered by late frosts. Cover the bush with fleece or foil to protect the shoots from freezing.
Potted plants in a pot with a depth of between 30 and 40 centimeters overwinter in a wind-protected location outdoors from the second year onwards. Wrap the container with jute sacks and place it on a wooden board. Smaller pots should overwinter in a frost-free room with temperatures between three and five degrees Celsius.
Diseases
In the open field, panicle hydrangeas prove to be resistant to diseases and pests. A rare disease is chlorosis, which is manifested by yellowing of the leaves. It is the result of a highly alkaline soil or an iron deficiency. The plant will recover quickly if you apply fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) at the first signs and mix some acidic soil into the substrate. Peat or rhododendron soil is suitable for this.
Pranicle hydrangeas not blooming
Young plants need a few years until they show their blooms in the new location. If older specimens fail to bloom, incorrect location may be the cause. The bushes will not bloom in conditions that are too dark. They need a partially shaded to sunny location. Unsuitable substrate conditions can also lead to failure of flowers. Make sure that the soil is not too sandy or calcareous.
Tip
You can cut off mature and firm inflorescences to dry and place them in a vase just filled with water. Once the water is used up, the flowers dry. They appear parchment-like due to the slightly wrinkled petals.
Varieties
- Grandiflora: Strongly branched. Cone-shaped flower panicles, up to 30 centimeters long with white flowers. Blooms from August to late autumn. Grows up to 200 centimeters high.
- Limelight: Cone-shaped inflorescences, initially creamy white and later pink-red, pleasantly scented. Blooms from July to October. Reaches heights of up to 200 centimeters.
- Magical Mont Blanc: Compact and slow growth. Snow-white flowers from June to September. Up to 120 centimeters high.
