It is a decorative eye-catcher for every garden, because it not only enchants the viewer with its abundant bloom, but it bravely withstands even the frosty winter temperatures. Panicle hydrangeas quickly form a shrub 1 to 5 m high or a small tree, which as a lush ornamental plant has taken the hearts of hobby gardeners by storm. This is not least due to the wonderful white to cream-colored flowers on up to 30 cm long panicles, which in the course of time sometimes change to a delicate pink.
Table of Contents
Location and plants
The panicle hydrangea prefers a location in the wind-protected penumbra. It can do well in a sunny location; thrives in a place that is mostly in the shade, but poorly. The ideal time to plant panicle hydrangeas in a container begins in mid-May, when sudden night frost can no longer affect the young flowers. In the chosen location, it is important that the plant can grow deeply. If several panicle hydrangeas are planted, this should be done about 1 meter apart. Since it can develop particularly well in a nutrient-rich, fresh, slightly acidic, lime-poor and humus-rich soil with a pH value of 5.5, it is advisable to produce a mixture of garden soil, plant soil and rhododendron soil. Ideally, add some compost as well.
While the plant pot is placed in the water for about 10 minutes, the planting hole can be dug. This is the perfect size when it is about twice the size of the root ball. In the next step, the panicle hydrangea is carefully lifted out of the pot, placed in the intended hole and buried. The soil is pressed down firmly and then covered with plenty of water. An additional layer of compost ensures good growth right from the start and protects against dehydration. Rainwater is more suitable than tap water because the plant is quite sensitive to lime. In the first few weeks after planting in particular, care should be taken to give plenty of water. If there is a light drizzle that does not get to the roots, water is still used.
Older panicle hydrangeas can tolerate a short period of drought, but feel more comfortable in slightly moist soil. There are no limits to the hobby gardener’s creativity when it comes to the arrangement of the panicle hydrangeas. This plant looks just as magnificent as a solitary plant, as in a group or as an eye-catcher in borders. There is also nothing to prevent it from being placed in a large planter on the balcony and terrace, where it attracts attention as a late bloomer until deep autumn. If the dried inflorescences remain on the hardy plant in winter, it beautifies its surroundings when the panicles are covered with hoarfrost or covered with snow.
Caring for the panicle hydrangea
In addition to the well thought-out choice of location, regular care contributes to healthy and lush growth of the panicle hydrangea. The following factors play an important role:
- water depending on the weather;
- water in the evening hours in summer;
- Avoid waterlogging with potted plants;
- provide mineral fertilizer in spring;
- use slow release fertilizer for the summer;
- Rice hydrangeas are lime sensitive;
- additionally fertilize organically, e.g. B. with horn shavings;
- fertilize at least every 8 to 14 days;
- remove faded parts regularly;
- examine for possible pests and diseases;
- cut in early spring.
Since panicle hydrangeas are quite resistant to pests and diseases in the field, they are rarely attacked by them. Chlorosis could occur, in which the green leaves turn yellow with green veins. This disease occurs when the soil is too basic or does not contain enough iron. If a fertilizer is used immediately and slightly acidic soil in the form of rhododendron earth or peat is mixed in, the plant usually recovers again.
Cut the panicle hydrangea correctly
In order for the panicle hydrangea to remain vital for many years, to grow large and to produce magnificent flowers, it must be pruned vigorously every year. This is carried out in early spring. The side shoots are cut back to 10 cm of the growth from the previous year and only a few eyes. A healthy panicle hydrangea grows about 50 cm per year. Depending on the desired shape of the shrub, it can also be cut by half or a third. Those who generally shy away from a strong pruning of their panicle hydrangea can simply thin them out during the summer. If this is done in the early hours of the morning, the resulting wounds will have enough time to dry again.
Propagation does not require specialist knowledge
The ideal time to propagate the panicle hydrangea is in June or July. For this purpose, a soft, annual shoot that has no flowers or buds is selected. This is cut off in a length of 15 cm below a leaf knot with a sterilized knife (alcohol). The tip of the shoot and the lower leaves are then removed from this cutting. It is also advisable to cut the remaining leaves by half so that the cuttings release less moisture and do not dry out as quickly. Now simply put it in a moist, nutrient-poor, loose substrate, put it in the shade and give it 2 to 3 weeks to form roots. During this time, always keep the substrate slightly moist. In September, the young plant can then be repotted in a larger container, whereby damage to the tender roots must be avoided. In addition, make sure that there is an outlet hole in the planter to prevent waterlogging. This drainage hole is best covered with a drainage made of potsherds, gravel or a piece of weed fleece so that it cannot be clogged by the substrate. Since this young panicle hydrangea is not really hardy yet, it spends the cold season in a frost-free room, such as the garage, the cellar or the unheated winter garden. Depending on the variety, the panicle hydrangea remains in a planter for the first summer season or is planted outdoors from mid-May. In addition, make sure that there is an outlet hole in the planter to prevent waterlogging. This drainage hole is best covered with a drainage made of potsherds, gravel or a piece of weed fleece so that it cannot be clogged by the substrate. Since this young panicle hydrangea is not really hardy yet, it spends the cold season in a frost-free room, such as the garage, the cellar or the unheated winter garden. Depending on the variety, the panicle hydrangea remains in a planter for the first summer season or is planted outdoors from mid-May. In addition, make sure that there is an outlet hole in the planter to prevent waterlogging. This drainage hole is best covered with a drainage made of potsherds, gravel or a piece of weed fleece so that it cannot be clogged by the substrate. Since this young panicle hydrangea is not really hardy yet, it spends the cold season in a frost-free room, such as the garage, the cellar or the unheated winter garden. Depending on the variety, the panicle hydrangea remains in a planter for the first summer season or is planted outdoors from mid-May. Since this young panicle hydrangea is not really hardy yet, it spends the cold season in a frost-free room, such as the garage, the cellar or the unheated winter garden. Depending on the variety, the panicle hydrangea remains in a planter for the first summer season or is planted outdoors from mid-May. Since this young panicle hydrangea is not really hardy yet, it spends the cold season in a frost-free room, such as the garage, the cellar or the unheated winter garden. Depending on the variety, the panicle hydrangea remains in a planter for the first summer season or is planted outdoors from mid-May.
This is how the panicle hydrangea overwinters
It is one of the hardy garden plants and bravely withstands frosty temperatures and snow. Nevertheless, it is advisable to protect the panicle hydrangea from winter nights that are too cold with brushwood. This measure prevents the shoots from freezing down completely and thus facilitates budding in the coming spring. If a mild weather period in early spring has already lured the young shoots and flower approaches, they are in danger if a late frost is announced, such as during the ice saints in mid-May. In this case, it is essential to protect the panicle hydrangea from freezing with fleece or foil. Plants that are kept in pots from 30 cm to 40 cm can also easily overwinter outdoors in a sheltered place.
Well-known and popular varieties of panicle hydrangea
The robust and easy-care ornamental wood is available in numerous varieties, the most important of which are presented below:
Grandiflora – the classic
Her white flower panicles are cone-shaped and up to 30 cm long. It blooms from August until deep autumn. In the course of the abundant flowering, the white flowers slowly turn pale pink. The highly branched plant is up to 200 cm high.
Limelight – the well-known
With its creamy-white and conical flower panicles, it spreads a pleasant scent. During their main flowering period from July to October, the flowers turn pink-red. Depending on the cut, it can be up to 200 cm high and 140 cm wide.
Diamant Rouge – the shining one
If you prefer a panicle hydrangea with strong colors, choose this variety. Their flowering begins comparatively early in May with initially cream-white panicles of flowers, which then gradually turn into a deep strawberry red. A real eye-catcher for every garden.
Vanilla Fraise – the French one.
This new breed has already captured the hearts of hobby gardeners in France and is also on the advance in Germany. Their flowering period begins in July with a delicate, creamy white hue, which then changes to a soft pink and turns to a deep purple red in October. The shrub becomes between 150 cm and 200 cm high, is erect and only moderately branched.
Silver Dollar – the compact one
This dwarf panicle hydrangea scores with very dense flowers, which develop from a pale green to a deep, snow-white full bloom, which then slowly fades into a pink color. Thanks to its compact appearance, it is often used as a container plant to decorate the terrace or in groups in the ornamental garden.
Phantom – the accidental one
This splendidly growing panicle hydrangea was discovered by a Dutch grower by chance in 1990 and is now very popular all over Europe. It is especially her unique play of colors that inspires hobby gardeners about her. The color of their up to 30 cm long panicles of flowers changes very gradually from white to pink-red. With its dense, bushy and upright habit, it is just as suitable as a specimen plant, as a hedge or in a group.
Kyushu – the Japanese
Named after its Japanese home island, it has now firmly established itself in Europe. During its entire flowering period from July to September, its large flowers shine in a pure white. Its pleasant scent magically attracts butterflies, so that it is also considered an ecologically valuable plant. With a height of up to 250 cm and a width of up to 300 cm, it visibly surpasses most other panicle hydrangeas.
Conclusion
Anyone who has got to know panicle hydrangea is not surprising that they can be found in so many private gardens and public parks. Originally native to Japan and China, the ornamental shrub from the hydrangea family quickly captured the hearts of gardeners all over the world. Hence, creative varieties have been cultivated in abundance, the most popular of which are presented here. Whichever variety the committed hobby gardener personally tends to. Panicle hydrangeas have one thing in common: They are easy to care for, robust, hardy and enrich the garden, terrace and balcony with wonderful floral magic and a pleasant scent. They are also beautiful to look at in vases and bouquets, as well as a decorative part of creative drying arrangements.
