Hydrangeas are beloved for their billowy and colorful blossoms. These shrubs grow like a dream when planted in the right spot. Many hydrangeas, especially the famed blue varieties, require at least some shade throughout the day, making growing these flowering shrubs challenging for some gardeners. Enter panicle hydrangeas.
This species loves the sunshine and requires full to partial sunlight. Producing large conical clusters of flowers, panicle hydrangeas are quite the show stoppers.
If you are searching for that perfect panicle variety, this article will provide you with everything you need to know.
‘Bobo’ ®
‘Bobo’ hydrangea is a compact option that features white to pink flowers and is easy to maintain.
 | botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ilvobo’ |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
 | height 2-3 feet |
 | hardiness zones 3-8 |
If you love panicle hydrangeas but lack the space for some of the larger varieties, ‘Bobo’ is a great choice for you. ‘Bobo’ will only grow to about 3 feet tall. The flowers on ‘Bobo’ bloom in a crisp white, aging to pink as the summer progresses. ‘Bobo’ is cold-tolerant and will grow without challenge in harsh winters.
Winner of the Gold Floral Award for best novelty plant, ‘Bobo’ is the perfect choice to plant in your large containers. If container gardening isn’t for you, ‘Bobo’ makes a great addition to borders or perennial gardens. Don’t forget to snip a few blossoms for yourself and your friends to enjoy indoors.
Growing ‘Bobo’ in rich, moist, well-draining soil will yield the best results. ‘Bobo’ is a low-maintenance hydrangea. Even pruning is optional! Prune in late winter or early spring. This is a new wood bloomer, so you do not need to worry about shearing off any flower buds. Fertilize in the spring if you wish. Remember that the blossoms are not sensitive to the pH of your soil.
‘Grandiflora’
This tree type stands out with its tall growth, changing white to pink flowers, and fall foliage color.
| | botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 10-25 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
Hydrangea ‘Grandiflora,’ also known as ‘PeeGee,’ is very popular for excellent reasons. Unlike the shrub versions, ‘Grandiflora’ has a tree form that can reach heights up to 25 feet. The attractive trunks support clouds of sterile panicle flowers. These flowers bloom in a crisp white and slowly age to pink as summer turns into fall.
‘Grandiflora’ loves the full sun and is tolerant of partial shade. It thrives in many different climates, but the warmer the climate, the more shade it will need.
In the fall, the foliage of ‘Grandiflora’ changes from deep green to yellow and reddish purple, making this shrub an excellent choice for fall color. Underplant your ‘Grandiflora’ tree with summer annuals, ornamental grasses, or flowering perennials such as perennial salvia.
When planting a new ‘Grandiflora,’ consider its full size. This will allow the tree to grow properly. ‘Grandiflora’ makes a lovely accent plant in a mixed bed, but it is also stunning when it stands alone. Remove any suckers you may find from the base of the plant. Prune branches in late fall or early spring.
‘Limelight’
This hydrangea is known for its large panicle flowers that gradually change color from lime green to cream to pink.
| | botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Zwijnenburg’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 6-8 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
‘Limelight’ is incredibly popular with gardeners. This large shrub produces panicle flowers that can reach 12 inches long! As the season progresses, the flowers change from lime green to cream to pink.
The classic foliage comes in a rich shade of green. This versatile variety can be planted as a hedge, in your larger perennial gardens, or even in a large container. One of my favorite ways to see ‘Limelight’ used is as a foundation or screen planting, with a row of flowering perennials, such as catmint, lined in front of it. It makes for a stunning sight.
‘Limelight’ is the winner of both the Gold Medal Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. ‘Limelight’ is hardy in zones 4-8, performing beautifully in colder climates. If you love ‘Limelight’ but do not have room for it, there is a small variety called ‘Little Lime’, which only grows to 5 feet tall.
Luckily for us, ‘Limelight’ is a tough hydrangea. While it grows best in full sunlight while getting an inch of water per week, ‘Limelight’ can handle a bit of drought once it is established in your garden. Prune ‘Limelight’ in the late winter or early spring.
‘Pinky Winky’ ®
This beloved hydrangea variety boasts fragrant, multicolored panicle flowers with a long-lasting bloom period.
| | botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘DVPPINKY’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 6-8 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
‘Pinky Winky’ is well-loved for its blushing, spicy-scented blossoms. The panicle flowers on this hydrangea can reach up to 16 inches long! Blooming in a spunky shade of lime green, these flowers will age to a creamy shade of white and will finally turn pink from the bottom up as they mature. ‘Pinky Winky’s’ flowers are long-lasting and remain beautiful until the first frost. ‘Pinky Winky’ stems are a deep purple, which nicely contrasts the pastel flowers.
The ‘Pinky Winky’ hydrangea won the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. ‘Pinky Winky’ is beautiful and quite large at maturity. Plant this hydrangea in a sunny garden with plenty of space.
‘Pinky Winky’ is one of the most reliable panicle hydrangeas around. Tolerant of both cold and heat, this hydrangea will grow nearly anywhere. Plant ‘Pinky Winky’ as a privacy screen in your foundation gardens, or try growing one in a large container. If you love to cut flowers for indoor arrangements, ‘Pinky Winky’ makes an excellent addition to your cutting garden.
‘Strawberry Sundae’
This stunning shrub offers changing shades of pink and red, prolonged blooming, and autumn foliage.
| | botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Rensun’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 4-5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
If you seek more color from your hydrangeas, ‘Strawberry Sundae’ will hit the mark. Blooming in creamy white, these large panicle flowers will take on shades of pink and red as the season progresses. As a bonus, these flowers will continue to bloom into the fall, meaning you will likely see all three shades on your shrub multiple times. The deep green leaves will turn yellow in the fall.
Growing to only 5 feet tall, ‘strawberry sundae’ is a great choice for a smaller space or a container. Keep your hydrangea growing in well-draining soil to avoid root rot or fungal diseases. ‘Strawberry sundae’ is very winter-hardy, making it a great choice for colder climates.
Like many other panicle varieties, ‘Strawberry Sundae’ is low maintenance. If your hydrangea gets enough sunshine, it won’t need much other than water. You may not even need to prune this variety. Remove any broken stalks and prune in the late winter or early spring.
‘Quick Fire’ ®
This delightful hydrangea blooms early with changing flower colors and distinctive fall foliage, adding height and color to gardens.
| | botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bulk’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 6-8 feet tall |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
‘Quick Fire’ is a beautiful hydrangea to add to your gardens if you desire an early bloomer. This variety will bloom almost a month before the other panicle hydrangeas. The large panicle flowers will open creamy white, age to pink, and finally red as the season progresses. In the autumn, ‘Quick Fire’ produces its signature orange fall foliage, which sets it apart from many other hydrangea varieties.
‘Quick Fire’ is quite tall and is useful in placements where you’d like to add some height to your garden. Plant it in a grouping as a hedge or privacy screen, or add it to your foundation gardens for a splash of color. Don’t forget to plant ‘Quick Fire’ in your cutting gardens so you can enjoy the long-lasting blossoms indoors and out.
Like the rest of the panicle hydrangeas, ‘Quick Fire’ is low maintenance. It grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. If the soil is too wet, it may struggle with fungal diseases. In warmer climates, ‘Quick Fire’ can tolerate and even appreciate a bit more shade. This plant is registered, and it is illegal to propagate by cuttings.
‘Zinfin Doll’ ®
This flowering shrub offers multi-month blooming with changing flower colors, perfect for small gardens.
| | botanical name Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMNHPRZEP’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 4-6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
‘Zinfin doll’ is a lovely shrubby hydrangea that will provide color to your garden for over three months! This variety will bloom in the middle of the summer with giant, creamy white blossoms. As the season progresses, these flowers will take on hues of light pink and then dark pink.
An excellent choice for small garden spaces, ‘Zinfin Doll’ will only grow 6 feet high in a nice rounded shape. You may also find ‘Zinfin Doll’ grown in a standard, or tree, form at your local nursery. ‘Zinfindoll’ is especially cold hardy, within standing winters into zone 3.
Grow ‘Zinfin Doll’ in rich, well-draining soil. Panicle hydrangeas grow best in full to partial sunlight. The more sunshine it gets, the more upright it will grow and the more compact and dense the foliage will be.
This is a great variety for you if you live in an area with harsh winters because it will handle pruning very nicely. You can prune in the fall or wait until late winter to clean up any damage your hydrangea may have sustained.
Final Thoughts
No matter which panicle hydrangeas you choose to plant in your garden, you will be pleased, and your garden will be beautiful. These flowers are large and plentiful. Panicle hydrangeas remain attractive no matter the pH of your soil and do not need much else from gardeners besides sun and water. Plant your panicle hydrangeas in containers, as hedges, or as statement plants throughout your gardens. I hope you plant plenty of these shrubs. They are one of my favorites and bring so much personality into gardens. Happy planting!
