Panicle hydrangea 'Queen Mount Rose'

Panicle hydrangea 'Queen Mount Rose' (Hydrangea paniculata) is the queen of late summer. Large conical panicles crown every shoot: they open creamy white and then slowly flood with pink tones as autumn approaches.

Panicle hydrangeas are planted as specimens on a lawn, in groups, as an informal hedge, or trained on a short standard. Flowering runs from July to September on the current year's growth, so a spring prune only adds panicles. The shrub takes -40 °C, which is USDA zone 3.

Key characteristics:

• Hardiness: Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3).
• Flowering: From July to September it carries striking white conical panicles 15-20 cm long.
• Light: Full sun or partial shade; in the open sun the panicles grow denser and the colour brighter.
• Soil: It is happiest in humus-rich, moderately moist, well-drained soil of medium fertility.
• Watering: Medium watering: the root zone should neither dry out nor sit in water.
• Care: Prune in late winter or early spring - the flowers form on the current year's shoots.
• Landscape use: Lovely as a specimen or in groups, in an informal hedge, at the back of a mixed border or grown as a standard.