Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva') hy-DRAIN-jah pah-nik-yew-LAY-tah Genus:  Hydrangea

'Tardiva' is a late-flowering (early to late autumn) cultivar with loosely-packed, sharply pointed white flower heads that turn purplish-pink with age. It is a vigorous, fast growing deciduous shrub that reaches 8 to 12 feet tall.

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

This is one of the most cold-hardy species. It may be grown as a single-stemmed specimen or as a multi-stemmed shrub. Flowers are good for cutting and drying.

Care: 

Grow in moist, but well-drained soil, in sun to partial shade. Blooms on current season's wood; may be cut back to a few buds to form a framework in spring to produce larger flowers, or alternately, allow to grow with minimal pruning.

Propagation: 

Sow seed in a cold frame in spring; take softwood cuttings in early summer, hardwood cuttings in winter.

Problems: 

Gray mold, slugs, powdery mildew, rust, ringspot virus, leaf spots.

Overview

Height 6 ft. to 10 ft. Spread 6 ft. to 10 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Growth Pace Fast Grower Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium Moisture Characteristics Showy Flowers, Showy Seed Heads Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Pink, White Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower Style Cottage Garden Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Tolerance Frost Tolerant Type Shrubs