Hydrangea - planting and care

Scientific name: Hydrangea paniculata
Family: Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea family)

Long after the summer flowers have faded, the panicle hydrangea continues to bring color and life to the garden. This makes it a reliable choice for those who want to extend the summer feeling. Technically, the flowering period is not very long, but the bracts (which we think of as the flowers of the plant) remain until the snow arrives – in many cases, throughout the entire winter. Several varieties thrive up to hardiness zone 5, making panicle hydrangea a great option for many Norwegian gardens.

Find your favorite among our panicle hydrangeas

It is easy to get lost in the world of hydrangeas. There are almost 200 different varieties in the hydrangea family, in various shapes and colors. Here are the most common ones:

The most common hydrangea. Botanically, it is the same plant used both as a garden plant and an indoor plant, but there are different varieties that thrive best either outdoors or indoors.

One of the most beautiful autumn shrubs in the garden. It blooms with cone-shaped flower clusters from late summer until the snow arrives. Often changes color throughout the season.

A beautiful shrub for late summer. Blooms with impressively large, round flower clusters.

A climbing plant that thrives in the sun, blooms in early summer, and develops beautiful autumn colors.

Panicle hydrangea actually has nothing to do with lilacs, except that its flower clusters resemble those of a lilac—and that both shrubs often have a wonderful fragrance. The flower clusters of the panicle hydrangea are characteristically cone-shaped. The color of the flowers varies depending on the variety, and many also gradually change color throughout the season—often from more or less white to more or less pink, but other color combinations also exist.

All plants should be placed where they have the best conditions to thrive. Panicle hydrangea thrives in both sun and partial shade. Sun provides the richest and most beautiful flowering, but the plant prefers some protection from the strongest direct sunlight. Panicle hydrangea does not like dry conditions. The easiest solution is to plant it in the ground, where access to water is better than in a pot. To cover the soil and help retain moisture, it can be beneficial to plant ground-covering plants around the panicle hydrangea, such as cranesbill.

Panicle hydrangea can be planted from early spring until the frost arrives in autumn. However, it is important that the plant receives regular watering during the establishment phase, so we recommend planting either in spring or autumn. During these seasons, rainfall is usually more frequent than in mid-summer, reducing the need for frequent watering.

You can also plant panicle hydrangea in a pot, but this requires a bit more attention—especially when it comes to watering. You should also consider that winter can be too harsh, and unfortunately, there is no guarantee that potted plants will survive the winter season. Even though panicle hydrangea grows slowly, the pot should be large and spacious to prevent the plant from drying out too easily. Leave the plant outdoors during winter, but if possible, place it under cover. It can also be a good idea to choose a variety of panicle hydrangea that is hardy at least one hardiness zone above where you live. For example, choose a variety that withstands H5 if you live in H4. This tip applies to most shrubs and trees planted in pots

Panicle hydrangea thrives in nutrient-rich, well-drained, and moisture-retaining soil with a slightly low pH. Mix the soil at the planting site with hydrangea soil or rhododendron soil.