Hydrangea paniculata Kyushu

The hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu' is a remarkable variety of the panicled hydrangea known for its light and elegant summer flowering. It produces large white panicles comprising small creamy-white fertile flowers interspersed with sterile flowers that have long white petals. This tall bush has an upright habit and is very hardy, making it adaptable to all soils, even slightly limestone. It is ideal for planting on its own or as part of a flower bed.

The Kyushu variety of hydrangea paniculata belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family. The species is native to deciduous forests in Korea, southeast China, Japan, and Russia (Sakhalin and Kuril Islands). Kyushu has an upright and spreading habit, reaching up to 2.50m (8ft) in height. It is highly floriferous, covering the year's branches from July to late September with numerous conical, dense, and compact panicles. These panicles measure 30 cm (11.8 in) and consist of many creamy-white fertile flowers. The panicles are interspersed with sterile flowers with long petioles and petals that turn from white to green with age. Under the weight of the flower heads, the branches gracefully arch, increasing the shrub's span. The foliage is deciduous, finely jagged, and oval, with a deep green colour. The leaves can reach 7 to 15 cm long and are slightly hairy on the underside. If the cold does not settle in too quickly, the foliage takes on beautiful golden-yellow colours in autumn.

The Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu' is a large shrub more suitable for gardens than container cultivation. It is very accommodating, easy to grow, and highly hardy. It can thrive in full sun and partial shade, in ordinary soil, even poor or rocky, as long as there is good drainage. You can include it in a free hedge, grow it as a solitary plant, or integrate it into a mass planting trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. The options are endless!

It will perfectly complement evergreen shrubs with dark or variegated foliage, shrubs with colourful stems such as some Cornus varieties, or summer or late-flowering shrubs chosen to contrast with the colour of the Hydrangea paniculata Kyushu flower heads. With its rapid growth, this shrub hydrangea will quickly form a beautiful compact bush, blooming all summer and providing a spectacle in both summer and autumn! 

This hydrangea also makes beautiful bouquets using both fresh and dried flowers.