Hydrangeas are one of the most popular garden shrubs because they have beautiful flowers that bloom for a long time and are easy to care for. Panicle hydrangeas have flower heads that look like cones and are white or lime green. They bloom for weeks in the summer and fall. Flowers shift to hues of pink or red as they age, creating a captivating, ever-changing display.
These tough shrubs that lose their leaves in the fall are the hardiest hydrangeas for winter and can grow in a lot of different conditions. There are many dwarf varieties suitable for smaller yards and containers. Here’s how to grow panicle hydrangeas and how to use them in your landscape.
Panicle hydrangea is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright, bushy, compact, or vase-shaped habit. This bush can also be trained into a tree form with a single trunk.
The big panicles, which can be 12 to 16 inches long, are cone-shaped and have groups of tiny flowers that are white, cream, or lime green. When it gets cooler in the fall, the flowers turn pink or red. Blooms occur from early summer to frost, depending on the variety. The long-lived flowers make an excellent addition to fresh or dried flower arrangements.
Oval-shaped pointed green leaves have pronounced veining with slightly serrated edges. Some varieties produce yellow, red, or burgundy fall color. Stems can be green, red, or dark burgundy/brown.
Hydrangeas with large, cone-shaped blooms that turn from white to pink are some of the most stunning shrubs for the garden. Known as panicle hydrangeas, these deciduous shrubs put on an incredible floral display from summer through fall. In this guide, we’ll cover how to grow and care for panicle hydrangeas with white and pink blooms.
An Overview of Pink & White Panicle Hydrangeas
Panicle hydrangeas belong to the species Hydrangea paniculata They produce large, conical flower heads up to 12-16 inches long that start out white or pale green before gaining pink or red hues
Unlike bigleaf hydrangeas that change color based on soil pH, panicle hydrangeas transition from white to pink naturally as the flowers age and temperatures cool in fall. This gives a two-tone effect.
Popular pink and white varieties include
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Pinky Winky® – Huge white blooms turn pink at the base
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Little Quick Fire® – White blooms turn deep pink-red.
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Tardiva – White blooms turn light pink.
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Limelight Prime® – Lime green flowers turn vivid pinkish-red.
Panicle hydrangeas are hardy in zones 3-8. They have an upright, bushy habit ranging from 1.5 feet to 15 feet tall depending on variety.
How to Plant Pink & White Panicle Hydrangeas
Location: Panicle hydrangeas need at least 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in hot climates.
Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. Amend clay soils with compost. Avoid wet, poorly draining sites.
Planting: Dig a hole 2x as wide and deep as the root ball. Set the plant at the same level it was growing in the pot and backfill. Water thoroughly.
Timing: Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before first frost. Avoid summer planting.
Spacing: Space most varieties 5-10 feet apart depending on their mature spread. Dwarf types can be spaced 3-5 feet apart.
Caring for Pink & White Blooming Panicle Hydrangeas
Water: Keep soil consistently moist, never allowing it to fully dry out. Panicle hydrangeas are prone to wilting.
Fertilizer: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer for shrubs once in early spring. Avoid high nitrogen mixes.
Pruning: Prune dead or damaged stems in late winter or early spring. Remove up to one-third of the oldest stems to rejuvenate.
Problems: Leaf spot fungus and powdery mildew may occur. Improve air circulation and avoid excess moisture.
Winter Care: Wrap or insulate first-year plants if temperatures drop below -10°F. Remove burlap or other coverings in spring.
Tips for Maximizing Blooms
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Site in full to mostly sunny locations. Morning sun is ideal in hot climates. Too much shade reduces blooms.
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Provide consistent moisture, especially during summer. Drought stress causes flower buds to abort.
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Prune immediately after flowering while plants are dormant to avoid removing next year’s flower buds.
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Choose later-blooming varieties like Tardiva for cooler climates with short growing seasons.
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Apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer in early spring to stimulate prolific flowering.
Using Pink & White Panicle Hydrangeas in Gardens
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Plant as a focal point. The large, showy blooms act as a specimen shrub.
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Use as a flowering hedge or privacy screen. Space plants 5-8 feet apart.
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Flank entries, borders, or walkways. The blossoms draw attention.
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Site in containers on patios, decks, and porches. Dwarf varieties work well.
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Mass in drifts or mixed borders. Combine with perennials and ornamental grasses.
5 of the Best Panicle Hydrangeas with Pink & White Blooms
Pinky Winky® – Extra large, two-toned pink and white blooms. Plants grow 6-8 feet tall.
Little Lime® – Profuse light green to pink blooms on a dwarf 3-5 foot shrub.
Bobo® – Compact 3-4 foot shrub blanketed in white to pink blooms.
Fire Light® – Bright white flowers turn fiery red-pink. Grows up to 8 feet.
Quick Fire® – Early blooming with flowers aging from white to dark pink. Reaches 6-8 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions About These Hydrangeas
How do I turn panicle hydrangea flowers pink?
The flowers will turn from white to shades of pink and red naturally as they age. Pink tones develop faster in cool weather. You cannot adjust soil pH to change panicle hydrangea bloom color.
When should I prune panicle hydrangeas?
Prune panicle hydrangeas in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Avoid fall pruning so you don’t remove next year’s flower buds.
Why are my panicle hydrangea flowers turning brown?
Brown flowers are caused by hot, dry conditions. Ensure plants receive 1-2 inches of water per week and are not exposed to reflected heat or harsh afternoon sun.
Do panicle hydrangeas need full sun?
Panicle hydrangeas grow best with full sun but also tolerate partial shade. Provide 4-6 hours of direct sun per day for abundant blooming. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in hot climates. Too much shade reduces flowering.
How do I overwinter panicle hydrangeas?
In their hardiness range, panicle hydrangeas need no special winter care. Where temperatures drop below -10°F, wrap or insulate first-year plants for their first winter only. Remove coverings in spring.
With proper siting and care, panicle hydrangeas with pink and white blooms will flower beautifully in gardens for years to come. Be sure to choose varieties suited for your climate that provide a long flowering display.
Are panicle hydrangeas deer resistant?
All hydrangeas are susceptible to damage from deer grazing. Deer are especially partial to the tender flower buds and flowers. If you live in a deer-prone area, provide protection, use deer repellant, or plant other more deer-resistant shrubs.
If you want to avoid transplant shock from cold or hot weather, plant panicle hydrangeas in the spring or fall, when the weather is milder.
Put it somewhere that gets at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day during the growing season. More light is preferable to insure robust growth and more prolific blooms. In hotter climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent leaf scald.
Loosen soil in the planting area and amend with compost or other rich organic matter. Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball. Remove plant from the nursery container and loosen roots if potbound. Place in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with soil, tamp down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly. Provide regular water until plants are established.
Planting hydrangeas in pots:
- Use a bagged potting mix rather than garden soil.
- Mix in a slow-release fertilizer.
- When you water, leave about an inch or two of space between the soil’s top and the pot’s edge.
- Make sure there are holes in the pot for water to drain and enough space for the plant to grow.
Learn more about growing hydrangeas in pots.