Paniculate Hydrangea Grandiflora

Grown for its impressive show of huge, conical flower-panicles in late summer and autumn, Hydrangea paniculata Grandiflora is a large, deciduous shrub with arching branches, not as fussy about acidic soil as most hydrangeas. The ovate, slightly toothed leaves are mid- to deep green, turning yellow in autumn. Cone-shaped clusters of fertile and infertile florets are borne from the end of July or beginning of August, and keep going well into autumn. These emerge creamy-white and mature to soft pink; they are good for pollinators, and when dried, make lovely winter flower-arrangements. Prune the flowered stems off to within a few buds of the woody framework in late February. Ideal for a shrub border in the larger garden, or will make a beautiful, informal, flowering hedge where there is space for it.

Site: Best in a sheltered site; tolerates some exposure
Soil: Moist, moderately fertile, well-drained soil, humus-rich preferred
Position: Partial shade; tolerates full sun if soil is reliably moist
Season of interest: Late summer and autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 13 (4m) Spread: 8 (2.5m)