Hydrangea paniculata Cultivars A–D

'Bailpanone'

Dense panicles; flowers initially green, then creamy white, ageing light pink in cooler climates; compact habit, around 1 m height and spread claimed for established, pruned, plants. Later flowering than many comparable modern cultivars such as ‘Ilvobo’ and ‘Rensun’, peaking mid to late July in the heat of Athens, Georgia, USA. Selected 2013 from 10 compact seedlings of ‘Piihp-I’ at Plant Introductions International, Georgia. Protected by US Plant Patent PP32549. (Dirr 2021; Google Patents 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bailpanone' (LITTLE HOTTIE®): compact habit suits the garden centre trade (Plant Introductions International, Georgia, USA; 26 June 2023). Image Michael Dirr.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bailpanone' (LITTLE HOTTIE®): flowers open through green to creamy white (Plant Introductions International, Georgia, USA; 22 July 2015). Image Michael Dirr.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bailpanone' (LITTLE HOTTIE®): flowers on first year cutting-raised plants (Plant Introductions International, Georgia, USA; 26 June 2015). Image Michael Dirr.

'Big Ben'

Long, half open, conical panicles, with leafy bracts conspicuous between the flowers; flowers strongly scented, white at maturity, ageing to a good pink; sturdy, straight red stems. Flowering in trials early August – mid October (Wisley), mid July – October (Euro), late July – early October (Chicago). An outstanding taller variety given the highest rating in all three trials. Raised by Peter Zwijnenburg, Boskoop, the Netherlands, by 1990. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Hawke 2022)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Big Ben', an outstanding taller variety (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

The long, half-open panicles of Hydrangea paniculata 'Big Ben' (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Bokraflame'

Large, dense panicles; flowers white becoming shell-pink pink, ageing duller pink; strong brown stems. Rated ‘an excellent compact cultivar’ in the Derby collection. Selected 2006 by Kees Jan Kran for Boot & Co, Boskoop, the Netherlands. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP22111. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Association Shamrock 2022; Google Patents 2023)

The MAGICAL® brand, used not merely for hydrangeas, is registered by Dutch nursery Kolster BV, although a few of the MAGICAL hydrangeas were from Boot breeding (Kolster BV 2023).

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bokraflame' (foreground) among other H. paniculata cultivars in the UK National Collection at Darley Park, Derby (28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Bokraplume'

Open, rounded panicles; sepals of sterile flowers white ageing red, especially on the backs; seed capsules red; stems red-brown. A neat, dwarf plant selected 2005 by Kees Jan Kran for Boot & Co, Boskoop, the Netherlands. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP21302. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Association Shamrock 2022; Google Patents 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bokraplume', a neat, dwarf plant, here in fruit (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bokraplume': the red developing seed capsules are attractive in their own right (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Bokrathirteen'

Very dense panicles; sterile flowers with clear white, narrow sepals giving a starry appearance, blushing pale pink, ageing duller pink; strong red-brown stems. A compact cultivar considered ‘outstanding’ in the Derby collection. Selected 2006 by Kees Jan Kran for Boot & Co, Boskoop, the Netherlands. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP21778. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Association Shamrock 2022; Google Patents 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bokrathirteen', an impressive compact (though not dwarf) cultivar (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bokrathirteen' has very dense panicles; the sterile flowers appear starry, with narrow sepals (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Bombshell'

Small rounded panicles which would be classified as very dense on the basis of having over 90% sterile flowers, although the flowers are not closely packed; flowers white ageing greenish pink; stems weak and reddish, tending to flop badly. Very dwarf, but not always free flowering. ‘Dull’ and ‘a poor dwarf thing’ at the Yorkshire Arboretum, UK (J. Grimshaw pers. comm. 2023), included here due to its wide availability on both sides of the Atlantic. Selected 2003 by Boskoop nurseryman Alex Schoemaker. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP21008. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Dirr 2021; Google Patents 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bombshell' is very dwarf but tend to flop badly (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Even when standing upright Hydrangea paniculata 'Bombshell' has not impressed at the Yorkshire Arboretum, UK (23 August 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

The small inflorescences of Hydrangea paniculata 'Bombshell' have mostly sterile florets, but they are not densely packed (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Breg14'

Open, flattened panicles superficially resembling a typical lacecap hydrangea, although it has the underlying structure of any other H. paniculata; flowers creamy white, becoming pink then reddish; the often unequally sized sepals of the sterile flowers become pigmented unevenly, especially near the margins. Compact and early flowering, reflecting its parent ‘Dharuma’. Selected 2015 by Arie Bregman, Gouda, the Netherlands. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Dirr 2021; Association Shamrock 2022)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Breg14' with the sterile flowers aged reddish pink (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

The flat panicles of Hydrangea paniculata 'Breg14' are atypical of the species. Note the uneven pinking of the sepals early in flowering (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Brussels Lace'

Half open panicles; flowers pure white at maturity and staying so for almost the whole flowering period, only pinking a little towards the end; sterile flowers with narrow sepals giving a starry effect, the massed fertile flowers giving a fluffy look. Flowering in trials late July – mid September (Wisley), July – August (Euro), mid June – mid August (Chicago); some report short flowering season, with all flowers opening at once. Medium vigour, with strong stems. Raised by Jelena and Robert de Belder, Arboretum Kalmthout, Belgium, 1975. Named for a style of bobbin lace which originated in Brussels in the 15th century. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Hawke 2022; van Gelderen & van Gelderen 2004; Hydrangea Derby 2023).

Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace' pruned annually to a low stool (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Developing inflorescences of Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace' at the Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, UK, 12 July 2026. Image John Grimshaw.

The massed fertile flowers of Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace' along with its starry, narrow-sepalled sterile flowers give a lovely effect (Logan Botanical Garden, Dumfries & Galloway, UK; 25 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

An unpruned example of Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace' late in the flowering period (private garden, Ayrshire, UK; 24 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Smaller inflorescences in unpruned Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace', colouring pinkish late in the flowering period (private garden, Ayrshire, UK; 24 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace' after anthesis (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Bulk'

Dense to half open, rounded to flattened panicles similar to ‘Dharuma’; white sterile flowers quickly become pink, ageing purple-red and giving prolonged garden effect mixed with later-emerging panicles; a medium sized, sometimes quite broad plant. Very early, flowering in trials mid June – early October (Wisley), mid June – September (Euro), early July – late September (Chicago). However, Susan Miller near the Forth of Clyde, Scotland reports ‘not early here’ (pers. comm. 2023). Dirr (2021) notes good orange-red autumn colour in the northern (but not southeastern) United States, while Lancaster & Wesley (2008) suggest it could be used as a hedge. Raised by Rein & Mark Bulk, Boskoop, the Netherlands, ~2004. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent 16812. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Hawke 2022; Hydrangea Derby 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk' showing its rather flat panicles quickly pinking (private garden, Argyll & Bute, UK; 22 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Sterile flowers of Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk' quickly become pink (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk' is a medium sized cultivar (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Early-flowering Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk' has squat, rounded panicles (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Chantilly Lace'

Half open to dense panicles; flowers white ageing pink; sterile flowers with narrow ‘starry’ sepals; ‘very free flowering, elegant, light and pretty’ (Lancaster & Wesley 2008); leaves very dark green. A tall, later variety, flowering in trials from early August to late September (Wisley) or early October (Chicago). Raised at the Center for Applied Nursery Research, Dearing, GA, before 1998. Sometimes confused in European literature with ‘Chazam’ (CHANTILLY™), less often seen and not described here). (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Hawke 2022; Hydrangea Derby 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Chantilly Lace', a free-flowering taller variety (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Elegant, beautifully balanced half-open panicles in Hydrangea paniculata 'Chantilly Lace' (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Darlido'

Short, open panicles, white at maturity, held up well; a very compact plant, rarely more than about 1 m tall, suiting a front of border position even without pruning. Flowering late July – early October in the Wisley trial. Raised by Darthuizer Nurseries, the Netherlands, before 1995. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; van Gelderen & van Gelderen 2004)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Darlido', a dwarf cultivar (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Degustar'

Half open to dense panicles; flowers white ageing pink, especially on sepal backs; sterile flowers very large, sepals not overlapping. Very large, coarsely toothed leaves hang down from the vigorous brown stems. Flowering mid July – early October in the Wisley trial. Considered ‘spectacular’ in full flower at the Derby collection (Hydrangea Derby 2023). Selected by Frères de Gussem, Belgium, ~2000. Plagued by more than its share of synonyms and trade designations, it is currently usually sold as MAGICAL STARLIGHT in Europe, and STARLIGHT FANTASY in North America. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Hydrangea Derby 2023; Association Shamrock 2022)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Degustar', a spectacular, vigorous cultivar. It has remarkably large leaves (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Degustar' has very large sterile flowers (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Dharuma'

Open to half open, rounded to almost flat panicles; flowers open white but soon become a dusky, purplish pink; stems red when young; leaves shiny, with red petioles. A compact plant, rarely more than 1.5 m tall even when left unpruned. Early flowering, in trials mid June – early October (Wisley), mid June – early September (Chicago). An important contributor to modern breeding lines. A very distinctive plant, it had been speculated that this might be a hybrid with H. heteromalla, or even that species itself, but it proves to be a hexaploid H. paniculata of the sort found in N Honshu and Hokkaido, along with ‘Praecox’ which shares its early flowering and flat panicle (Beck & Ranney 2014). Origin unknown, imported to Europe from Japanese cultivation by Chris Sanders in 1989. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hawke 2022; van Gelderen & van Gelderen 2004; Hydrangea Derby 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Dharuma' is a low growing, early flowering plant, here with reddish developing seed capsules (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

The rounded, sometimes almost flat, panicles of Hydrangea paniculata 'Dharuma' fuelled unfounded speculation that it might be a hybrid (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

These inflorescences of Hydrangea paniculata 'Dharuma' are atypical in shape, more like conventional forms of the species (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Dolly'

Dense panicles much like ‘Grandiflora’; flowers creamy white at maturity, developing some pink. Flowering in trials late July – late September (Wisley), July – August (Euro), early July – early October (Chicago). van Gelderen & van Gelderen (2004) considered its stems very strong and straight, though Lancaster & Wesley (2008) noted that medium pruning (to about 4 buds) was preferable to harder pruning which produced heavy, flopping heads. In the crowded field of dense-panicled cultivars, some feel it stands out more than others. Awarded an AGM subject to commercial availability in the Wisley trial, it was not rated in the Euro trial, the judges preferring ‘Limelight’ and ‘Phantom’. Raised by Peter Zwijnenburg, Boskoop, the Netherlands, 1990; named later for Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; van Gelderen & van Gelderen 2004; Hydrangea Derby 2023).

Hydrangea paniculata 'Dolly' in the Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, UK (29 June 2017). Image John Anderson.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Dolly' at its pinkest (Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, UK; 3 September 2014). Image John Anderson.

Sterile flowers of Hydrangea paniculata 'Dolly' develop a little pink with age (RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon, UK; 6 September 2021). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Dolly' was named for the famous cloned sheep (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Dolprim'

Compact, open panicles; flowers white from cream buds, with only a trace of pink in the sterile flowers as they age; strong red stems. Early flowering, from late May onwards on old wood, sometimes repeating in September. Selected before 2010 by Marie-France Doll, France; protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights. The apostrophe in the trade designation is correct, but in practice sometimes omitted in nursery catalogues. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Association Shamrock 2022; SAPHO 2023; pers. obs. 2023)

The open panicles of Hydrangea paniculata 'Dolprim' develop only a trace of pink as they age (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Dvppinky'

Large, dense, strongly tapering, conical panicles; flowers spicily scented, white from green buds, quickly developing pink/red colouration from the panicle base, giving a bicolor effect as flowers near the apex continue to open; a rather compact plant with sturdy, dark red stems. Flowering in trials early August – early October (Wisley), July – October (Euro), mid July – early October (Chicago). An outstanding variety given the highest rating in all three trials; while Dirr (2021) feels it has been superseded by later varieties such as ‘Renhy’ and its Renault stablemates, those tend to have weaker stems. Raised at Research Station Melle, Belgium, 1999. Suggestions that this is a colchicine-induced higher polyploid (Hydrangea Derby 2023) are not borne out by evidence: flow cytometry shows it to be a tetraploid, like most other H. paniculata cultivars (Beck & Ranney 2014). The trade designation is said to be inspired by a childrens’ television character, the tellytubby Tinky-Winky. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP16166 (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Hawke 2022; Google Patents 2023; Hydrangea Derby 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Dvppinky' has proven to work well planted as a hedge at RHS Garden Wisley, UK. 17 August 2023. Image Jack Aldridge.

The strong stems of Hydrangea paniculata 'Dvppinky' make it stand out among similar cultivars (RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon, UK; 6 September 2021). Image Julian Sutton.

The large, dense inflorescences Hydrangea paniculata 'Dvppinky' quickly become pink from the base (RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon, UK; 6 September 2021). Image Julian Sutton.

A Hydrangea paniculata 'Dvppinky' inflorescence retaining its structure remarkably well in the depths of winter (The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum, Devon, UK; 21 January 2023). Image Julian Sutton.