Hydrangeas are the flowers of gratitude, grace, and abundance - Anonymous
Every summer I look forward to the prolific blooms of panicle hydrangeas, the true stars of my garden. Their peak occurs in the month of July, but their blooms can last well into the fall. This perennial is one you can depend on to provide beauty for your home garden.
I grow both macrophylla and panicle hydrangeas, which are different plants that bloom at different times. The macrophyllas bloom in June but they fade in July, when the panicle blooms take center stage. I am always impressed that these flowers can tolerate full sun and heat, making them the perfect plants for July and August.
Panicle Blooms
The panicle hydrangea takes its name from the shape of the flower. The bloom can be up to eight inches tall, tapering at the top to a small point. The base of the bloom also measures eight inches across, so it forms a triangular shape. Most panicle plants have branches with more than one flower, so the appearance of a mature hydrangea resembles a small tree of large blooms. Use a tall, sturdy vase for a display of hydrangea flowers.
The size of panicle blooms depends on their location on the shrub. The largest blooms appear at the top, and lower down on the shrub the blooms appear smaller. Some of my mature hydrangeas are now approximately ten feet tall and almost as wide! Plan to give these shrubs lots of space when you install them in your garden.
Different Types of Panicle Hydrangeas
My favorite hydrangea is the Limelight, which is a mostly white flower with subtle shades of green. A mature Limelight hydrangea can grow very tall and wide. These plants respond well to pruning, so if you cut them back in the early spring they will grow back bigger. The blossoms always grow on new wood each spring, so frost is not a problem.
I also grow Pinky Winky hydrangeas. Its flowers are a combination of pink and white, with the pink on the bottom. This plant loves full sun and it can grow up to six feet tall.
Quick Fire hydrangeas are similar, with two toned flowers, a large size, and tolerance for sun and heat. The flowers start out pure white, then gradually change to pink. This plant can grow tall, but it is possible to buy smaller varieties.
Of course, when buying any plant, be sure to study the information on its mature size. I have been surprised buying a one gallon or three gallon potted plant, and then a few years later, having it grow much larger than I had first imagined it would be! Study how tall and wide the plant will grow, then be sure to install it where it will have the space it needs.
After just a few years, panicle hydrangea blooms multiply dramatically, creating a magnificent display of large flowers on each shrub. The effect in my yard is stunning, both when I look at them from a distance and when I enjoy them up close.
Judith Canty Graves is an award-winning columnist with a home garden in Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily. This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville magazine.