Puffer Fish® Panicle Hydrangea
Shrub
- Strong stems keep flowers from flopping!
- Blooms on new wood for unstoppable performance.
- Gigantic blooms turn lime green in fall.
- Perfect for cut flower arrangements.
- Zones 3-8, sun/part sun, 3-5' tall x 3-5' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Patent #: PP # 35316
Common name: Panicle hydrangea, Peegee hydrangea, Hardy hydrangea
Zone: 3 – 8
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: Green and white
Foliage color: Green
Season of Interest: Summer-fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Suitable for slopes, Proven Winners, fall color, dry soils, 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.