Hydrangea paniculata Cultivars E–I

'Everest'

Half open panicles; flowers white at maturity, ageing only to pinkish or brown; reddish stems. Flowering in trials mid July – early September (Wisley), mid July – August (Euro). A fairly compact but loose-growing variety, improved by hard pruning; not highly rated in trials but still in the British nursery trade. Raised at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, UK, 1989. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Everest' has half-open panicles, but has a rather loose habit (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Floribunda'

Fairly small, slender, conical, half open panicles with a spicy scent; sterile flowers white, sometimes ageing pinkish or reddish; fertile flowers from pink-tipped buds; a potentially tree-forming cultivar. Flowering in trials July – September. Brought to Europe from Japanese cultivation in the 19th century by Carl Maximowicz; an important variety in its own right as well as being the genetic founder of the de Belders’ breeding line. (Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Lancaster & Wesley 2008)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Floribunda' is now mainly of historical interest. An early introduction to the West, it was much planted in the 19th and 20th centuries, and is one of the genetic founders of modern garden stocks (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Floribunda', the sterile flowers ageing brown rather than pinkish in this example (RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, UK; 20 October 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Floribunda' has half-open panicles (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Frenne'

Half open panicles, with sterile flowers making a complete cover; sepals distinctively narrow, overlapping only at bases; flowers white ageing light pink; sturdy, greenish stems. Selected by Guido Rouwette, Valkenburg, the Netherlands, by 2017; protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Association Shamrock 2022; pers. obs. 2023).

Young and ageing panicles of Hydrangea paniculata 'Frenne': note the narrow sepals of the sterile flowers (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Grandiflora'

Very dense, conical panicles, slightly scented; sterile flowers with sepals initially green, maturing white with other rudimentary floral organs pink; fertile flowers from pink-flushed buds; stems may flop under the weight of flowers. Flowering in trials late July – early September (Wisley), July – August (Euro) (Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Lancaster & Wesley 2008). Introduced to Europe from Japanese cultivation around 1860–1870 by Philipp von Siebold (Association Shamrock 2022; Bean 1981), but definitively to North America in 1862. The details are known precisely, for a change: the first of a long line of American plant collectors in Japan, Dr George Rogers Hall, personally carried it from Yokohama to San Francisco, departing on 2 January 1862, delivering his cargo of plants in Wardian cases to the nurserymen Parsons & Co., of Flushing, New York, in March. Alongside ‘Grandiflora’ the consignment included numerous conifers, Magnolia stellata, various Wisteria and Acer palmatum cultivars, and the eponymous Lonicera japonica var. halliana. It seems almost certain that van Siebold acquired his stock from the same source as Hall, as both Fortune and von Siebold used his Yokohama garden as a ‘focal point’ (Tsukamoto & Creech 2015). ‘Grandiflora’ has been equated with ‘Minazuki’ (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 2004; Association Shamrock 2022). The original dense-panicled cultivar, popular in Europe and especially North America through the 20th century. Writing of hard-pruned plants, Bean (1981) noted that ‘To many people’s taste these monstrous panicles may be objectionable’. What he would have made of some more modern cultivars can only be guessed at.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora', original dense-panicled cultivar (Arboretum Kalmthout, Belgium; 16 August 2007). Image Koen Camelbeke (Arboretum Wespelaar).

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' at Exbury, Hampshire, UK (2 September 2015). Image John Anderson.

A large, heavily flowering specimen of Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' makes a massive garden statement (Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire, UK; 26 July 2024). Image Barry Grain.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora': while classed as a dense-panicled cultivar, fertile flowers become visible as the flowers age (Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire, UK; 26 July 2024). Image Barry Grain.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' grown as a large shrub with raised crown (private garden, Argyll, UK; 22 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' at a garden centre in Watermill, New York, July 2010. It has been a standard of American horticulture since its introduction, and usually known in the trade as 'PeeGee.' The sterile flowers are initially light green. Image John Grimshaw.

'Grhp08'

Rounded panicles, with sterile flowers crowded together giving complete cover; flowers white, not reddening noticeably with age. A very compact shrub to around 50 cm tall, with orange/red autumn foliage sometimes claimed. Selected by Guido Rouwette, Valkenburg, the Netherlands, by 2017; protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights. (Royal Horticultural Society 2023; Association Shamrock 2022; pers. obs. 2023).

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grhp08', a very compact, dwarf cultivar (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Grhp08' has rounded panicles covered in sterile flowers (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Grhp10'

Squat, conical panicles with sterile flowers crowded together giving complete cover; flowers lime green then white, ageing light pink; stems erect, to around 1.2 m. Selected by Guido Rouwette, Valkenburg, the Netherlands, by 2018; protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights. (Plantipp 2023; Association Shamrock 2022)

The squat panicles of Hydrangea paniculata 'Grhp10' turn from lime green through white to light pink (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Hp217901'

This and the following cultivars with trade designations beginning ‘PAN-’ are from the breeding of Niels Arts, selected and marketed by the Dutch/German consortium Hydrangea Breeders Association. This is a large series sometimes marketed as ‘patio hydrangeas’, all selected for compact, upright form, rapid growth and early flowering, features desirable in production and in the garden centre, but several are performing very well as garden plants in the UK National Collection, Derby.

Dense, broadly conical to rounded panicles; flowers opening white from greenish, ageing red. Selected 2013 by Hydrangea Breeders Association. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP30307. (Hydrangea Breeders Association 2023; Google Patents 2023; pers. obs. 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hp217901', one of a large series of compact cultivars marketed as 'patio hydrangeas' (Darley Park, Derby; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Hp217902'

Dense, broadly conical panicles; flowers opening white from greenish, sometimes slightly pink-tinged with age. Selected 2014 by Hydrangea Breeders Association. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP30332. (Hydrangea Breeders Association 2023; Google Patents 2023; pers. obs. 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hp217902' with some sterile flowers showing a little pink as they age (Darley Park, Derby; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Hp217904'

Half open, broadly conical panicles; flowers opening white from greenish, quickly becoming pink. Selected 2012 by Hydrangea Breeders Association. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP30387. (Hydrangea Breeders Association 2023; Google Patents 2023; pers. obs. 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hp217904', a compact cultivar with well-supported panicles (Darley Park, Derby; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

The half open panicles of Hydrangea paniculata 'Hp217904' with sterile flowers quickly becoming pink (Darley Park, Derby; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Hpopr018'

Open, tapering panicles; flowers lightly scented, white ageing to a good pink; stems more or less erect; compact and early flowering. Selected 2015 by Jan Oprins, Belgium, and named for Belgian plantsman Harry van Trier, Oprins’ long-term collaborator. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP32972; marketed as EARLY HARRY in Europe, TORCH in North America. (Dirr 2021; Google Patents 2023)

Early flowering Hydrangea paniculata 'Hpopr018' with flowers already aged to a uniform pink (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Hpopr13'

Half-open panicles; flowers white ageing pink, sometimes quickly and strongly; strong stems sufficent to support the weight of large panicles on heavily pruned plants. Selected 2010 at Oprins Plant NV, Belgium, a chance seedling in a trial bed; ‘Dharuma’ and/or ‘Interhydia’ are suspected parents. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP27472. Marketed as CANDLELIGHT® in Europe, LAVALAMP CANDELABRA® in North America. (Dirr 2021; Google Patents 2023; pers. obs. 2023)

Early flowering stage in a little-pruned example of Hydrangea paniculata 'Hpopr13' (Yorkshire Arboretum, UK; 9 August 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

A little-pruned plant of Hydrangea paniculata 'Hpopr13' (Yorkshire Arboretum, UK; 9 August 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hpopr13' pruned annually to near the base, with large inflorescences well supported by strong stems (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Late season colour in Hydrangea paniculata 'Hpopr13' (Yorkshire Arboretum, UK; 28 October 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

Sterile flowers of Hydrangea paniculata 'Hpopr13' quickly ageing an impressive pink (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Hypmad I'

Dense, conical panicles; flowers light green on opening, quickly becoming white, ageing pink only in cooler climates; sepals of sterile flowers unusualy large (though smaller than in ‘Le Vasterival’); reasonably strong, dark red-brown stems; attractive dark green leaves. The breeder saw no pinking at all in the sepals in the southeastern United States. Flowering early July–October in the Chicago trial, where it was rated ‘excellent’. Selected by Michael Dirr, University of Georgia, 2001, and protected by US Plant Patent PP19082. (Dirr 2021; Google Patents 2023; Hawke 2022; pers. obs. 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hypmad I' has dense conical panicles; the sterile flowers have large sepals. This example, pruned to near the base, has been given some support (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Hypmad II'

Dense to half open, broadly conical to rounded panicles; flowers initially white, ageing pink even in the heat of Georgia, USA; dark red-brown stems, fairly compact habit. The breeder noted considerable variation in the density of inflorescences between sites and seasons. Flowering late July – early October in the Chicago trial, where it was rated ‘good’. Selected by Michael Dirr, University of Georgia, 2001, a sister seedling to ‘Hypmad I’. Protected by US Plant Patent PP18500. (Dirr 2021; Google Patents 2023; Hawke 2022)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hypmad II' (TICKLED PINK®): flowers open white but quickly start to turn pink (Bailey Nurseries, Minnesota, USA; 28 July 2012). Image Michael Dirr.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hypmad II' (TICKLED PINK®) at Bailey Nurseries, Minnesota, USA (8 August 2012). Image Michael Dirr.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hypmad II' (TICKLED PINK®): inflorescences at different stages of colouring (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Ilvobo'

Very dense, medium sized, rather rounded panicles packed very closely together on established plants, obscuring the leaves; flowers creamy white. blushing pink but ageing brown, less closely packed than in ‘Jane’ for example; stems brown. A dwarf plant (‘perhaps too dwarf’ – Hydrangea Derby 2023) barely reaching 1 m tall. Selected 2005 by Johan Van Huylenbroeck, Belgium. Protected by European Plant Breeders’ Rights and US Plant Patent PP22782. (Hydrangea Derby 2023; Dirr 2021; Google Patents 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Ilvobo', a dwarf plant with very dense panicles crowded together (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

'Interhydia'

Broad, dense panicles; flowers strongly scented, white quickly ageing to an excellent pink which deepens over time; upright, red-brown stems. Flowering in trials late July – late October (Wisley), July – August (Euro), early July – mid September (Chicago). Trials found it performed much better on some soils than others. A taller variety, rather loose-growing when young, it makes ‘a superb big thing’ with ‘huge presence’ at the Yorkshire Arboretum, UK (J. Grimshaw pers. comm 2023). ‘Good for dry flowers’ (van Gelderen & van Gelderen 2004). Significant as one of the first dense-panicled pink cultivars, selected by the de Belders in 1980, it was an important parent of those which have largely superseded it in the nursery trade. (Lancaster & Wesley 2008; Hoffman & Houtman 2007; Hawke 2022; Hydrangea Derby 2023)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Interhydia' (PINK DIAMOND) was selected by the de Belders of Arboretum Kalmthout, Belgium, where this image was taken (16 August 2007). Image Koen Camelbeke (Arboretum Wespelaar).

Hydrangea paniculata* 'Interhydia' (PINK DIAMOND) remaining attractive well into autumn (Avenue Cottage, Ashprington, Devon, UK; 17 October 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Young shoots of Hydrangea paniculata 'Interhydia' (PINK DIAMOND) with brilliant red stems (Logan Botanic Garden, Dumfries & Galloway, UK; 25 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

A scarcely pruned specimen of Hydrangea paniculata 'Interhydia' (PINK DIAMOND) in early flower, a superb big thing (Yorkshire Arboretum, UK; 9 August 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Interhydia' (PINK DIAMOND), one of the first dense-panicled pink cultivars, is an important parent of more recent varieties (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.

Sepals of sterile flowers quickly become pink in Hydrangea paniculata 'Interhydia' (PINK DIAMOND) (Darley Park, Derby, UK; 28 August 2023). Image Julian Sutton.