Panicle hydrangeas ideal for Midwest gardens

If you are new to hydrangeas and looking for the best varieties to grow here in the northern half of Wisconsin, or a lifetime expert searching for something new and exciting, the panicle hydrangeas are the ones that do the best here in the our area. They are built for Midwest gardens. Panicle hydrangeas are those that form cone-shaped clusters of blooms, some quite exaggerated. Some of these conical flower clusters may be a foot in length on some of the larger varieties. Panicle hydrangeas require little or no care during the winter season — and throughout the year, in fact. Prune them if desired, but it’s not necessary as they grow blooms on new growth each year. You can literally trim them back to the ground and they will come back beautifully. Nearly all of the panicle hydrangeas begin the year pure white. The conical-shaped blooms emerge in late June or early July in white or lime green. Over the following weeks into late summer and fall, these cone-shaped clusters of blooms begin to transform into shades of pink or red, from the bottom of the cluster to the tip. Week after week, the color intensifies, bringing peak color during September and early October. Many of the classic hydrangeas are panicle hydrangeas. Among these are limelight, quickfire, vanilla strawberry, strawberry sundae, pinky winky, little lime, berry white, fire and ice and the classic beauty Bobo. Panicle hydrangeas range in size from the smallest, such as little quickfire, Bobo and little hottie, that may only grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, to giants such as phantom, limelight and vanilla strawberry that may be 8 feet tall and wide. There is a panicle hydrangea for just about every part of your yard and garden. Unlike some of the older smooth hydrangeas, panicle hydrangeas do best in almost full sun. They are also much sturdier and don’t flop from the weight of the flowerheads. So many great varieties to choose from and so many new introductions each year make panicle hydrangeas among the easiest to grow and most beautiful flowering shrubs for gardens here in northern Wisconsin, year after year. Rob Zimmer is a nature and garden author, public speaker and radio show host on WHBY. Readers can find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobZimmerOutdoors.