Hydrangea paniculata Little Spooky

Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Spooky' is a particularly compact and floriferous dwarf paniculate hydrangea, perfectly suited to small gardens and pot culture. This does not prevent this small shrub from offering decorative and long-lasting flowers. Stocky and equipped with very strong stems that are not weakened by its blooms, it bears large panicles of dense and rounded flowers, which change from white to pale green. 

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

The 'Little Spooky' 'GRHP08' variety has been recently introduced to the horticultural market. This shrub shows a very reduced development. Its main branches are thick and erect, remaining perfectly upright under the weight of the flowers. At maturity, this variety will reach about 80 cm (31.5 in) in height for 70 cm (27.6 in) in width.  From the end of June, or July depending on the region, it produces, on the year's shoots, numerous very upright panicles composed of quite spectacular conical flowers, which are more compact and rounded than those of other H. paniculata varieties. These consist mainly of large sterile, single florets, changing from cream-white to green as they age. 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 (2 to 2.8 in) wide. They turn yellow in autumn, before disappearing in winter. Paniculate hydrangeas are less sensitive to late frosts, as they mostly flower on the year's shoots. This variety will withstand -20 °C (-4 °F), or even below.

Hydrangea paniculata Little Spooky differs from its cousins, the large-leaved hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) by its good tolerance to sun, sea spray and relative drought. When planted in any good garden soil, without too much lime, within a few seasons 'Little Spooky' forms a well-defined bush that is covered in flowers for more than two months. Install it alone, in a low hedge or in a flower bed, or even in light undergrowth, mixed with other hydrangeas and perpetual roses to play with contrasts and shapes. You can also combine it with grasses such as Miscanthus, Panicum virgatum Squaw and Stipa. Its small size allows for 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 applications of fertiliser and watering.