Hydrangea paniculata Little Fresco

Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Fresco' is one of the most compact paniculate hydrangeas currently available in the horticultural trade. This does not prevent this small shrub from offering spectacular and long-lasting flowering. Very stocky, with very strong stems which, without weakening, carry large panicles of pastel and colour-changing flowers, this hydrangea is perfectly adapted to being grown in large pots and is very useful for landscaping small spaces. Its plump inflorescences bloom from late spring, gradually changing from cream mixed with green to pink before wilting. This wonderful variety won the silver medal at the Boskoop Plantarium in 2019.

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as Paniculate Hydrangea, is a particularly hardy species of hydrangea belonging to the Hydrangeaceae family originating from the leafy forests of China and Japan. It is easy to grow in any good garden soil that remains fresh.

The 'Little Fresco' variety, recently introduced to the market, was developed in the Netherlands. This shrub shows a very reduced growth, with main branches that are erect and thick, remaining upright under the weight of the flowers. At maturity, this variety will reach approximately 70 cm (27.6 in) in height and 50 cm (19.7 in) in width.  From mid-June, numerous truly spectacular flower panicles bloom on the year's branches; these measure 20 cm (7.9 in) in length and are conical but more rounded than those of other H. paniculata varieties. They contain numerous fertile, single florets, evolving from a greenish-cream hue to pink as they age, passing through white. From spring, the branches bear finely dentate, ovate leaves of a fairly light green colour, measuring 5 to 15 cm (2 to 5.9 in) long and 5 to 7 cm wide. They turn yellow in autumn before disappearing in winter. Paniculate hydrangeas are less sensitive to late frosts as they mostly bloom on the year's shoots. This variety will resist temperatures down to -20 °C (-4 °F), or even below.

Hydrangea paniculata Little Fresco distinguishes itself from its cousins, the large-leaved hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), by its good tolerance to sun, salt spray and relative drought. Installed in any good garden soil without too much limestone, 'Little Fresco' forms, in just a few seasons, a neat-looking shrub that is covered in flowers for three months. Install it as a single plant, in a low hedge or in a mass planting, or even in light undergrowth, mixed with other hydrangeas and perpetual roses to play with contrasts and forms. You can also combine it with grasses like Miscanthus, Panicum virgatum Squaw and Stipa. Its small size allows it to be incorporated without hesitation into a small garden and to be grown without difficulty in a large pot on the terrace, where it will live for many years with regular watering and applications of fertiliser.