Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu'
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’ Family: Hydrangeaceae
(hy-DRAIN-jah pah-nik-yew-LAY-tah)


Common name: paniculate hydrangea ‘Kyushu’
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 8 – 10 ft (2.5-3 m) Spread: 3 – 5 ft (1-1.5 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate
Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu' - leavesDescription: A deciduous shrub with an upright form and moderate growth rate. Dark green, ovate-shaped leaves are slightly glossy. Branches are tipped with slender, conical-shaped, flower-heads made up of a multitude of smaller white florets. Bloom period from early July through to end of September. Flowers are sterile.

 

Special Notes: Native to Kyushu, Japan, softwood cuttings were collected in 1926 by renowned ornithologist, plant collector, and gardener, Captain Collingwood Ingram. These cuttings were given to an arboretum in Belgium for growing on and eventual distribution.

Hydrangea 'Kyushu' - flowers at season endWith a moderate growth rate of five to ten years, this shrub does not quickly out-grow its placement in the garden. Rather, because of available space next to this plant, the gardener is in danger of planting something too close, which must be subsequently re-located in a few short years.

Of special note are the lovely conical-shaped white flowers with their long bloom period. An added feature is the white colour is not marred by turning brown as the flower dies back.

 

In our Zone 7a garden: This shrub has truly thrived in full, hot sun all summer long. Granted, we made sure the plant was watered regularly when it was first introduced into our landscape. But once established with a good root system, the shrub has been purely delightful for the floral display it gives over a very long period…with just a minimum of water every week.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu' & Lunaria annua seed pods

 

Posted on September 10, 2016