Panicle Hydrangea – Identification

panicle hydrangea

Q: I have a house with this hydrangea looking tree. The flower looks like a hydrangea’s flower. Do you know what it is?

A: It is indeed a hydrangea: Hydrangea paniculata. There is one particular variety of panicle hydrangea called Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’….which many gardeners abbreviate to PeeGee hydrangea in referring to all of the panicle hydrangeas.

This is incorrect, since there are many other varieties of panicle hydrangeas from which to choose. In recent years, several other hydrangeas of this type have been introduced. I particularly like ‘Limelight’, ‘Pinky Winky’ and ‘Unique’. All bloom in fall and grow best in full sun. As you can see, the larger varieties can be pruned in spring to a multi-trunked tree form. You can remove the faded flowers as they get ugly and prune out dead or floppy branches as needed.

panicle hydrangea

panicle hydrangea

Limelight hydrangea

Limelight hydrangea

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