Panicle Hydrangeas

Garden Clippings for August 16, 2025

Hydrangeas are getting bigger in number but smaller in size. Last week we explored the category of Bigleaf Hydrangeas, with a focus on the many compact varieties that are suitable for small yards. Some have an ultimate size of only 50 to 60 cm, while others will achieve size of 100 cm or more.

Panicle Hydrangeas, sometimes called PeeGee Hydrangeas, are more familiar, and will probably remind us of the old-fashioned white Hydrangeas that Grandma grew. Their flowers, big and bold, and showier than their bigleaf cousins, are mostly white, with many varieties turning shades of red as the season progresses.

Panicle Hydrangeas are tough plants that can withstand cold, heat, drought and poor soil. They will always perform, producing oversized blooms that are often so robust that the entire plant is covered, hiding all stems and leaves.

Like all Hydrangeas, Panicles are shade tolerant but will produce best blooms if planted in half to full sun. The east, west or south sides of the house are ideal, while the shaded north side of the house will be fine provided there are no trees above casting more shade.

The wonderful thing about Panicle Hydrangeas is they are easy to prune. They bloom on the current year’s growth, so cut back anytime in late fall after flowers are done blooming, or springtime. If you prune in mid-summer, you will forfeit the season’s flowers. Pruning is not necessary but will help keep the plant in shape with renewed vigour. Panicle Hydrangeas make great cut flowers for dried fall or Christmas arrangements.

Limelight Hydrangea is the undisputed leader in the Panicle Hydrangea family. Cone-shaped flowers are huge, opening in lime-green colour, quickly turning pure white. Later in fall, flowers take on red, pink and burgundy. Limelight tolerates dry soil but does not enjoy wet soil. When mature, it grows to a handsome two metres or more, making it a good background plant in a shrub border.

For those who want a smaller size, Little Lime Punch is similar, flowering earlier in summer, turning deep red by mid-summer. Little Lime is such a performer that it has been named Hydrangea of the Year for 2025. Size at maturity is half of Limelight.

Pinky Winky Hydrangea, another wildly popular choice, opens with pure white blooms that become two-tone in late summer as the base of each flower turns pink.

Bobo, a favorite of mine, is covered in clean white blooms, turning soft pink in fall. Bobo remains tidy and obedient, not growing more than 80 or 90 cm high and wide.

Both Pinky Winky and Limelight are available as treeform Hydrangeas with a single stem of a metre or more, then opening up to a showy bush. Be sure to prune these standard Hydrangeas each spring to maintain a tidy shape.