Hydrangea paniculata: the best varieties, description

Hydrangea paniculata are airy and delicate flowers that conquered gardeners with their beauty. She is unpretentious, her bushes are easy to form. Panicle hydrangea is able to decorate any corner of the garden, making it unique. This is a queen, the variety and sophistication of her varieties that can amaze anyone.

Hydrangea paniculata: description of the variety

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Diamand

Hydrangea paniculata (Hydrangea paniculata from lat.) Is a shrub plant, the height of which can reach 10 meters. Translated from the Greek language, it is translated as "a vessel with water", which is, perhaps, the main condition for good plant growth.

This type of hydrangea has a long flowering that begins at the beginning of the summer season and ends in October. Its inflorescences, like beads scattered over the bush, when they have not yet blossomed. They are small in size and round in shape. When they bloom, the branches bend under their weight, which gives the crown a rounded shape.

Flowers at the beginning of flowering are white, like snow. Later, the edges of the petals acquire a pink tint, and then a rich purple pink color. The flowers that can reproduce are very small in size and their petals are white. Those that do not breed are large in size, they have white or pink 4 petals.

Hydrangea Paniculata - this flower grows very quickly, which makes it different from other varieties. It is highly resistant to frost, loves moist soils and grows well on the banks of rivers and lakes. It is widespread in the center of Russia and in the north.

Hydrangea paniculata - varieties

The panicle hydrangea has a variety of flowers that are famous for their variety. Every year, thanks to breeders, more and more new varieties appear and every year they get better and better. But there are those that have been in great demand and appreciated among gardeners for many years.

These include Grandiflora, Matilda, Brussels Lacey, Floribunda, Pink Diamond, Kyushu, Tardiva and Unique.

In recent years, varieties such as: Bobo, Dolly, Great Star, Darts Little Dot, Diamond Rouge, Little Lime, Limelight, Magic Fire, Pinky Winky, Silver Dollar, Vanilla Freise, Sunday Freyz, Freyz Melba, Baby Lace have appeared.

Grandiflora (Grandiflora) - this variety is widespread. The bush is powerful, reaching two meters in height. He is the leader in the growth and size of flowers. The panicles are large, reaching 30 centimeters. The inflorescences are shaped like a pyramid with sterile flowers. At the beginning of flowering, they are white with a creamy tint, gradually the flower turns pink. And with the onset of autumn, it changes its color to red with a green tint. The beauty of the flowering of this variety can be observed from mid-summer to the end of September.

The leaves covering the bush are dark green and lightly covered with velvet. Their shape is oblong and has a pointed tip. They bloom late. Unlike other varieties, Grandiflora loves to grow in open, sunny areas or in partial shade.

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Grandiflora

The plant is prone to freezing at a young age, but with age it becomes more resistant to frost. In adulthood, the plant calmly tolerates frosts at -25 degrees. It prefers fertile, loose soils with a high level of acidity. The presence of lime in the ground can be detrimental to these flowers.

The variety will feel great and demonstrate all its beauty in the middle zone of the country and in the North-West no further than St. Petersburg. In the south, the plant bears fruit.

Mega Pearls (Mega Pearl) is a sprawling shrub that reaches 2.5 meters in height. The inflorescences are large in size and their shape resembles a cone. They emit an aroma that can fill the entire garden. Fertile flowers form inflorescences and are surrounded by large sterile flowers arranged in a spiral.At the initial stage of flowering, they are painted in white with a greenish tint, then the shade changes to cream. And towards the end of the period, their color becomes pink with red.

Mega Pearls prefers loose soils with a large composition of minerals in them. The site must be chosen well-lit or partial shade. All the beauty of flowers can be observed from mid-summer to early autumn.

The variety is highly resistant to frost, many diseases and harmful insects. It tolerates a hot climate perfectly, but under these conditions it requires that it be watered and pruned regularly.

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Mega Pearl

Hydrangea Polistar (Polestar) is a very compact plant, not exceeding 60 centimeters in height, which distinguishes it from others. This variety can be used to decorate balconies and terraces. During flowering, the color of the inflorescences changes. At first, it is pistachio, and later turns dark pink. You can enjoy these colors from the first summer month until the beginning of autumn.

Polystar is frost-resistant and can grow in regions where the temperature does not drop below -23 degrees. Loves open sunny areas or partial shade. Prefers well-drained, moist soils.

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Polistar

Hydrangea White Goliath (White Goliath) is a massive bush that reaches 3 meters in height. The shape of the inflorescences is narrow conical. They are large in size, white, but change to pink after a while. The variety blooms late, you can enjoy its beauty from the beginning of August to September.

White Goliath loves fertile, acidic soils, but unlike many others, it can grow on any type of soil. The shape of the leaves is wide, lanceolate and rather large with a pointed tip. They are colored emerald green and burgundy stalks look great with them. It is necessary to plant the plant in well-lit places or in partial shade. It tolerates frost well and does not require shelter.

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety White Goliath

Hydrangea Kyushu (Kyushu) - This bush has a dense, rounded crown. It grows up to three meters. This beauty can be grown in the Urals. Bloom lasts from July to October. It perfectly tolerates harsh climatic conditions. Kyushu it is a long-liver, able to delight for 60 years.

The red petioles, on which the glossy leaves grow, go well together. The leaves are 12 centimeters long and resemble the shape of an egg. On the outside, they are slightly pubescent, and on the inside, they are much stronger. Long wide-pyramidal panicles of inflorescences reach 25 centimeters. There are much more white flowers that can bear fruit than fruitless ones.

Kyushu prefers to grow on clayey, acidic soils. Areas should be lit or in partial shade. We tolerate stagnant water.

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Kiushu

Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze (Vanille Fraise) is a large bush with a height of 2 meters. Dark green leaves are covered with velvet, the shape is simple, oblong. The bush begins to bloom in early July and continues to delight until late autumn in the very first year after planting. The diameter of the inflorescences is 30 centimeters, and their length reaches 40 centimeters. At the beginning, white flowers bloom, then a pink border appears on the petals. And after a while, the color becomes raspberry, like a mixture of vanilla ice cream and strawberry syrup.

The plant loves open, sunny areas that need to be protected from the wind and watered well. The territory of the Moscow region is well suited for the variety, but it can also grow in Siberian conditions and in the Urals. Vanilla Fraz is very frost-resistant and can easily withstand temperatures of -40 degrees. A long-liver capable of pleasing for 40 years.

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Vanilla Freise

Hydrangea Limelight (Limelight) - this variety was bred in Holland, plant height reaches 2 meters.This shrub does not need to be propped up and this distinguishes it from other tall varieties. The inflorescences are large in size and adhere well to strong shoots. The shape of the crown of the bush is wide-round.

Slightly velvety leaves are colored lilac with green. The inflorescences are up to 30 centimeters in diameter, have the shape of a cone and are completely filled with sterile flowers. At the beginning of flowering, they have a greenish color, then they turn white, and at the end they begin to delight the eye with beautiful pink shades. Color may vary depending on the light.

Duration of flowering of this variety is 3 months. It starts in July and ends in September. This variety prefers to grow on both low acidity and acidic soils. You can not plant Limelat where there is lime. The soil must be well drained and well moisturized. He does not like open sunny areas, so you need to choose a place in the shade. Possesses high resistance to frost and every year this level is growing. The Leningrad Region will be ideal for growing this variety. More about the variety here.

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Limelight

Hydrangea Bobo (Bobo). The variety has appeared quite recently and has a dwarf form. The plant does not exceed 70 centimeters in height and 50 centimeters in width. The leaves are colored deep green. The inflorescences are collected from numerous flowers, have a conical shape. The flowers are initially colored lemon-yellow, later turning pink and white. Abundant flowering of a small compact bush lasts from mid-summer to September.

To grow Bobo, you need to choose areas in partial shade. The soil should be fertile, acidic and well moisturized. The variety requires shelter for the winter cold season and root mulching. Bobo received the award in Belgium. Experts considered that this variety is the best of all novelties among paniculate varieties. It will perfectly fit into the landscape of small backyards. They can be used to decorate terraces, borders and small flower gardens.

Photo of hydrangea paniculata Bobo variety

How to choose and plant panicle hydrangea

For the purchase of varietal seeds, you need to contact specialized stores, garden centers and nurseries. Choose a variety during flowering, where it can be seen. Since the description and picture on the label may differ from what the plant looks like in reality.

The planting time depends on the region where the plant will grow. In a warm climate, autumn is quite suitable, as the plant will have time to root. In the middle lane and northern regions, it is better to plant in spring, after the threat of frost has completely disappeared.

Disembarkation should take place in a well-lit area, without direct sun exposure, in the middle of the day. In especially hot periods, it is better to harvest the plant in slightly shaded areas. The soil should be loamy, well-drained, highly acidic, or neutral. Soil with alkali content will be detrimental to the plant.

Transplanting young plants into the garden takes place before the buds begin to set.
It is necessary to prepare in advance the holes of 50 centimeters and fill them with bone meal and manure. For fertilization and filling, fertilizing based on minerals and organics is used. If this is not possible, then in any nursery you can purchase a mixture ready for these flowers. To keep moisture in the soil longer, you must use a liquid hydrogel, which is added to the hole.

It is necessary to plant a seedling without removing the earthy clod from the roots, and when planting, make sure that the root collar remains at ground level.

As soon as the plant is lowered into the hole, it must be buried, compacting the earth in layers so that no voids remain. After the fathoms, it is watered abundantly, and a layer of mulch is applied to the soil. Peat and humus work well. If planting occurs in the spring, then the shoots must be cut into 4 buds.

Hydrangea paniculata, care

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Bumshel

Panicle hydrangea is very fond of moist soils, so you need to water the plants regularly and abundantly. The soil should not dry out. To prevent this, the earth must be mulched or use a hydrogel.

Top dressing is also important. For the first year of life, fertilization is not necessary, since there are enough of those that were applied before planting. In subsequent years, they must be brought in three times a year:

• The first feeding is carried out in the spring, when shoots appear. During this period, complex mineral fertilizers are applied.
• The second is carried out when shoots are formed. Here you need fertilizers based on potassium and phosphate. It is necessary to mix them in proportions of 7 to 4 and dilute 100 grams in a bucket of water. The resulting solution is watered with bushes.
• The third feeding is done at the end of summer. Organic fertilizers are needed here. Cow dung works well. It should be weighed out in water in a ratio of 1 to 3 and allowed to brew for 7 days. Then the mixture is diluted with water 1 to 10 and the plants are watered with the resulting solution.

Potassium salt is added after the bushes have faded.

It is important to know that in order for the panicle hydrangea to develop correctly, bloom beautifully and not get sick, it must be prune and do it correctly. During pruning, all branches that have any damage are removed under the very base, and thus the bushes are thinned out. The shoots of the previous year are cut by 1/3 and all inflorescences are removed.

All varieties of hydrangea have good resistance to winter cold, so they do not require hideouts... However, where winters are particularly harsh, the root system needs additional protection. In this case, hilling and covering the soil with a layer of mulch will help. When the temperature drops below -35 degrees, the plants are tied up and covered with special insulation. A frame is made on top, on which straw is laid out.

Reproduction of panicle hydrangea

Propagation of paniculate hydrangea occurs through cuttings, layering, and through sowing seeds.

Pros of hydrangea paniculata

Photo of panicle hydrangea variety Sunday Fries

The panicle hydrangea has many advantages. Among the variety of varieties, everyone can find one that will suit their taste. All varieties are frost-resistant, which allows them to be grown almost anywhere in the world. Possesses fast growth. A beautiful flowering can be observed three years after planting.

It blooms luxuriantly and profusely.

Can be grown as a shrub or as a standard tree. They can grow in partial shade.

The cost of seedlings is not high, and reproduction is quite simple.

When planting different varieties in the garden, you must remember that their colors are very bright, so do not overdo it.
In order to properly plan the planting sites, you can plant the plants on the seedling beds, see what colors the bushes show and plant them around the site next year, as you like. Transplanting plants in the first year of their life will not harm them.