July Shrub of the Month-Panicle Hydrangea
When we’ve had a spectacular hydrangea season like this year in St. Louis, it’s hard to remember that not every year all the hydrangeas look so good. I’m talking about the big leaf hydrangeas June Shrub of the Month-Big Leaf Hydrangea with their seductive blue and pink blooms that are the garden-stuff dreams are made of. The problem is that those hydrangeas bloom on what is called “old wood,” forming their spring buds the previous year, instead of the current year. Winter comes and kills off these tender buds most years, depending on where you live or how well-protected the plant is situated. Even the Endless Summer series has trouble in some areas. So, what’s a hydrangea-lover to do?
Enter the panicle hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata. Super hardy, super blooms, super versatile, and super reliable…every year! Panicle hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata, flower on the current year’s wood unlike their cousins, the smooth hydrangeas, therefore bypassing the chance of losing those precious buds to freeze damage. What’s even better is that they come in assorted sizes to suit any garden situation. One of my favorites is Little Quick Fire September Shrub of the Month-Little quick fire panicle hydrangea with its round, tidy habit, compact size, and blooms that age from bright white to a stunning pink. If you have room, the larger panicles can get up to 15′ or more and be trained into a tree form or a specimen plant in your landscape. RESEARCH a cultivar before you purchase!
The flowers contain both sterile and fertile flowers, the ratio depending on the cultivar. Blooms can get huge and heavy, arching the branches down, especially after a rain or if left on the plant during winter, particularly in heavy snowfall.
Panicles are one type of hydrangea that can tolerate full sun and withstand tough soil conditions. You often see them in commercial plantings, where they steal the show.
What I love about this plant;
-Super hardy and reliable bloomers.
-Versatile-Assorted sizes from compact to tree-like.
-Comes in white, lime, or pink colors.
-Few pests or diseases.
-Great in arrangements, fresh or dried.
What’s not so great;
-The larger cultivars can get humongous blooms that bend branches to the point of breaking. Careful pruning can alleviate the weight.
-The spent flower heads don’t always self-prune over winter before spring foliage emerges. A little clean up might be necessary-A minor price to pay for the advantages.
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2025, All rights reserved.
