Hydrangea paniculata: Panicle Hydrangea

Somehow this plant has lost favor in the South and I would guess it is because of the popularity of white-flowered crapemyrtles. Panicle Hydrangeas are an exception to the typical thinking about sun exposure.

These plants do well in full sun assuming they get adequate water. Some people object to the 'floppy' flower heads on Panicle Hydrangea. The large (8-10" long), terminal panicles can get so heavy that the branches bend under the weight.

A new variety called 'Unique' has equally massive flower - heads but the stems appear to support the flowers better. The cultivar 'Tardiva' flowers later than 'Grandiflora' while 'Praecox' is earlier. Could be interesting if all three planted since you would enjoy beautiful flowers for 3 months..

Panicle Hydrangea is typically trained as a single trunk small tree but can be a multi-stemmed large shrub. 

H. p. 'Grandiflora' old-time standard, orange-pink flowers

H. p. 'Pink Diamond' supposedly sepals turn rose-purple as cream sepals fade, however, in South I have not observed this trait

H. p. 'Praecox' flowers 3-6 weeks earlier than 'Grandiflora'

H. p. 'Tardiva' flowers later than 'Grandiflora'

H. p. 'Tardiva' bush

H. p. 'Unique'

H. p. 'Grandiflora', white flowers

H. p. 'Pink Diamond' bush

 

H. p. 'Praecox' bush

H. p. 'Tardiva'

H. p. 'Unique' sturdier stems to hold large, heavy panicles, close-up