What soil does Panicle hydrangea grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, acidic, calcareous.

Is Panicle hydrangea hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Panicle hydrangea toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should Panicle hydrangea be planted?

Plant it at least 3 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Panicle hydrangea flower?

Flowering: July–October, white, green, pink, red.

How much water does Panicle hydrangea need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Panicle hydrangea cost?

It sells for roughly PLN 15 to PLN 37 in local shops, depending on size.

Panicle hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata

Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to dogs and cats, mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about PLN 15.

Illustration of Panicle hydrangea — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

The most sun-tolerant and least fussy hydrangea: from midsummer into autumn it carries cone-shaped white or greenish-white panicles that age to pink or wine red in most cultivars. It flowers on the current year's shoots, so you can prune it hard every spring and a severe winter will not cost you the bloom. Cultivars differ mainly in size (from 60 to 100 cm dwarfs such as Bobo or Little Lime to 2 to 3 m forms like Grandiflora and Phantom), in how strongly the panicles colour and in how well the stems hold them up: when choosing, check the mature size and stem strength, and whether the plant is sold as a bush or grafted on a stem. It copes well with sun and limy soil, but in hot dry summers it needs watering.

Watch out for

In Central Europe summer heat and drought are its main problem: in hot sun without watering the leaves wilt and scorch and the panicles stay smaller and brown early. After rain and wind the big heavy panicles drag down or snap the shoots of weaker-stemmed cultivars; a hard spring prune and thinning the shoots builds a sturdier frame. Plants grafted on a stem need a permanent stake, as the head breaks out easily under the weight of the flowers. Leaf spot, powdery mildew, aphids and spider mites occur but are rarely serious.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 2 m × 1.6 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D July–October, white, green, pink, red

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2 m × 1.6 m
Ultimate size	0.8–4.5 m × 0.8–3.6 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	July–October, white, green, pink, red
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 3 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	120 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about PLN 15

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 15 – PLN 37

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Shrubs for pollinators Flowering shrubs

Guide on the topic

Planting and pruning hydrangeas: which to cut back when For pruning, hydrangeas fall into two groups. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas (such as 'Annabelle') flower on this year's shoots: cut them back to 25-60 cm in February or March. Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas flower from buds that grew last year: in spring take off only the faded flowers, or they will not flower that year. Plant in autumn or spring, with plenty of water; for limy soil choose panicle or smooth hydrangea, as bigleaf hydrangea wants acid or neutral soil and afternoon shade.

Compare with similar plants

Panicle hydrangea vs Bigleaf hydrangea Panicle hydrangea vs Mountain hydrangea Panicle hydrangea vs Smooth hydrangea

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