Paniculata Hydrangeas (PeeGee and Family)

Paniculata hydrangeas will grow and bloom in a wide variety of climates (hardy to Zone 3!). Unlike mopheads, they need several hours of sun to do well. If your weather is too cold to grow the pink and blue hydrangeas or if your landscape doesn't have much shade, consider growing one of the many types of paniculatas. North or south, we can all enjoy them.

Another desirable trait of all paniculatas is their tolerance for pruning. One can prune them at any time except when they begin forming bloom heads in the summer. The paniculata is the ONLY hydrangea that can be pruned into a tree form.

The name "paniculata" comes from the fact that many of the blooms are panicle-shaped (somewhat cone shaped) rather than ball-shaped. Many paniculata blooms develop a lovely pink shade as the blooms age, extending their beauty into the fall.

Paniculatas often get very large. 8-10 feet tall and wide is not unusual. Some, as seen in pictures below, get even taller.

A beautiful paniculata, and one of the most popular is 'Limelight' which can be grown in all parts of the United States except those areas which receive no freezing weather.

PeeGee ('Grandiflora')

The best known Hydrangea paniculata is PeeGee. This hydrangea gets its nickname from its botanical name, H. paniculata 'Grandiflora' (PG). Although PG refers only to the 'Grandiflora' variety, many nurserymen have started referring to all paniculatas as PeeGees. This may be causing some slight confusion, but if you would like a further explanation, please e-mail me.

Northern Virginia PGs

The picture at the top of the page and the five below are PeeGees blooming in Northern Virginia. Two of the pictures below demonstrate the PeeGee's tendency to turn pink as the blooms age.

Contact Information

Email: jking@dwjak.us