Garden Tip 189

It is mid-July and hydrangeas are putting on their show. While traveling around town, I noticed that the macrophyllas, or hydrangeas with ball-shaped flowers in shades of blue, bloomed earlier than usual this year.

Many macrophyllas began to flower in mid-June, about two weeks earlier than expected.  It just goes to show that Mother Nature is in charge. With a prolific number of flowers this season, and early bloom, the hot temperatures of summer are causing the macrophylla flowers to peak and pass quickly.

Paniculata hydrangeas, however, those with the cone-shaped flowers, handle the summer heat a bit better. These hydrangeas have flowers in hues of white and pink; there is no blue. Because of this, many gardeners believe they lack the punch that a vibrant blue hydrangea can add to the landscape.

A recently introduced paniculata, however, has that punch, and it is indeed called Hydrangea paniculata Little Lime Punch. Growing four feet tall and four feet wide, flowers emerge lime green. Over time, the flower’s color changes from the bottom up, transitioning into hues of white, pink, and red. This hydrangea reblooms throughout the summer, putting on quite a show. Put a little punch into your summer garden.