Little Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea
Shrub
- Early blooming panicle hydrangea provides months of beauty!
- Compact habit won't outgrow its space.
- Flowers turn pink/red in fall!
- Hydrangea of the year for 2022!
- Zones 3-9, sun/part sun, 5' tall x 5' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Patent #: PP 25,136
Common name: hydrangea, Peegee hydrangea, Hardy hydrangea
Zone: 3-9
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sun) in cool areas; part-sun (4-6 hours sun) in warm climates.
Height x width: 3-5' tall and wide
Flower color: White, turning red in autumn
Foliage color: Green
Season of Interest: Summer-fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Proven Winners, heat tolerant, fall color, container plants, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Flower gardens, landscaping, specimen, flowering hedge
How to Grow
Light: Plants can take full sun (6+ hrs/day) in cooler areas, but afternoon shade is recommended in warm climates. If your plant frequently wilts in the afternoon even though it was recently watered, or your flowers turn brown quickly, that may indicate the spot is too sunny for it.
Water: Average. Panicle hydrangeas do not tolerate overwatering or poor drainage.
Space: 3 - 5'
Fertilizing: If desired, fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular rose fertilizer.
Winterizing: Panicle hydrangeas are very hardy and easily withstand harsh winters, so need no special care. A good 2-3" layer of mulch helps protect the shallow roots. We recommend pruning in late winter/early spring (see below for more info) but plants can be pruned in late autumn, after they've gone completely dormant, if desired.
Maintenance: Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood; that means they create their flower buds after leafing out in spring, so they can be pruned and will still bloom that season. While pruning is not strictly necessary, it does neaten the plant's appearance and can help develop strongest stems. Simply cut the main stems of the plant back by about one-third its total height in late winter or early spring, removing any thin or spindly or wayward branches as necessary.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
This bush took off right after I planted it. The flowers start off a beautiful white color and over the season they transition to a deep pinkish red color. The picture is its first year at the end of the season. The flowers turned brown that winter and were beautiful with snow covering them. The only thing I do not care for too much is that some of the lower leaves tips turned a reddish color, but I think it could be the location where I planted it lacked adaquate airflow. When I moved, I dug it up and replanted it at my new property and it has not suffered at all. It is growing just fine. Very strong plant.
Perfect fit in plant...low maintenance...beautiful blooms....just cannot be beat!!
Very happy with my purchases. lil quick fire hydrangeas and pinky winky are thriving. I love your packaging and the care you take to get them to me perfect. I’m a repeat customer now.
Hydrangea was in good shape thanks again!
Had to wait a few weeks before planting as it was in high 90 here ,watering each day in there pots , planted a little over aweek ago , still watering, they are doing great , I will buy from your center, than off QVC plants as a lot did not perform or died , I spend over 500 hundred dollars just there , so I definitely will be order , from your site
I bought the quart size Little Quick Fire, as for numerous reasons I needed a smaller size root ball to plant. It arrived in excellent condition, packages well and looking so healthy. The plant is doing so well, growing and thriving.
Nice starter plants, growing very well, well satisfied.
Arrived packaged well. Planted and doing good!!!
The plants arrived quickly and in excellent condition. They continue to thrive. I'm curious to see the shrubs when they have matured a bit to see their ultimate size, the flower size, and the evolution of the flower color throughtout the season. Catriona Tudor Erler
One looks sickly but may recover as leaves turned black & some leaves look fine on the top so Im hopeful, while the other looks fine.
Hello! We're sorry to hear that you're having trouble with one of your plants. Please email pictures of the plants to [email protected], making sure to put your order number and name in the subject line so that we may provide the best assistance possible. Rest assured, we have a 60-day guarantee on all our plants. If you received your plants within that timeframe, we would be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Happy Gardening!
https://www.greatgardenplants.com/pages/our-guarantee
I purchased 3 of these 2 years ago and was so pleased, I bought 2 more last year! The foliage is so healthy and the plants are beautiful even when they are not in flower. My original 3 are now 3 feet wide and almost 3 feet tall in just 2 years! I love how when they bloom the color goes from white to pink to red. Fantastic plants!
My little plant arrived in very good shape. It has started to grow a little since I planted it. Will love to see how it gets along for next year's season.
Plants arrived healthy and are doing well, but it’ll be five years before they look like the picture in the catalogue. I guess I didn’t realize what “one quart container” looked like. Quite expensive for what they are
Hello Carol!
I'm sorry to hear your disappointed in the size of your new plant. You'd be quite surprised to see just how quickly these plants grow! I've included a link to our size chart for reference. If you have any other questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your feedback!
A late season purchase. Alive and looking good. Expecting growth will start in Spring.
My plants arrived quickly and in great condition! I will definitely order again and highly recommend !
When my ten plants arrived I was very excited! I planted them along with root stimulant and fertilizer under protective wire cloches. They have almost outgrown their cloches with their full, green, leafy branches. This was my first order from you and I am very pleased with the plant quality! Thank you!
So far so good. The hydrangeas arrived in great condition and they were packed really well and still moist. They are slow growing but the leaves are very dark green. The plant looks very healthy. Thank you very much.
Plants arrived in a timely manner, were professionally packed and absolutely beautiful.
how and when to prune
Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so they should be pruned in late winter or early spring by cutting back 1/3 of their total height. This will promote stronger stems, bigger buds, and more flowers.
I planted six of these hydrangeas last fall so this is their first full season and they look to be growing beautifully and healthy, but only two of them have flowers. None of the other bushes have any flowers on them why is this and will they bloom?
It's common for newly planted hydrangeas like your Little Quick Fire® to have varying bloom times, especially in their first full season. They bloom on new wood, so they should bloom eventually as long as they're getting enough sun and proper care. Just ensure they meet the sunlight requirements and are pruned correctly in late winter or early spring!
Are these Proven winner plants
Yes, the Little Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea is a part of the proven winners selection.
What color do leaves turn in fall and does it drop its leaves
The flowers on the Little Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea will turn pink/red the fall and the leaves may take on attractive autumnal hues. The Little Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea will drop its leaves in the fall as part of its natural life cycle.
How & when to fertilize
Hello! If desired, you can fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular rose fertilizer.