Hydrangea paniculata Living Pinky Promise

Hydrangea paniculata Living Pinky Promise is a recent variety of paniculate hydrangea, known for its robustness, compact habit, dark green villous leaves and particularly colourful flowers. Its inflorescences are pure white in July, turning pastel-pink in August, and ending a superb dark pink in September. After flowering, the dried inflorescences remain decorative on the bush. A tolerant shrub, it grows in any soil that is fertile, well drained and not too dry. It will be sensational as a single specimen, in a pot, but also planted en masse, in the sun or partial shade.

Hydrangea Living Pinky Promise 'LC NO12' belongs to the family of Hydrangeaceae, which includes a multitude of hydrangeas with varied colours and shapes. Paniculate hydrangeas originate from the Far East, from Japan to southern China. Their distinguishing feature is to produce in summer large conical inflorescences (panicles) on stiff or arched branches, often shaded in purple. In wild varieties, fertile white flowers (tiny and petal-less) and sterile flowers (with large, visible petals) coexist. In horticultural varieties, it is most often the sterile flowers that are developed and bring a welcome generosity. They appreciate the sun, provided it is not too scorching, or partial shade.

The Living Pinky Promise cultivar, obtained by Alex Frederick Schoemaker, was introduced in 2018 to the horticultural market. It is a compact and ramified variety that will not exceed 80 cm (31.5 in) in height for about 70-80 cm (27.6-31.5 in) in width. From June or July, the shrub produces on short, erect, solid stems, beautiful cones composed of numerous tight, fertile florets, in a white colour. As the flowering progresses, the pink colour intensifies. They then fade gradually, like paper, remaining beautiful until autumn, or later if the weather is mild. The leaves of this variety are ovate in shape, pointed at the ends, and pilous on both sides. Their colour is dark green, unusual for this type of hydrangea whose leaves are usually light green. In mid-autumn, the leaves take on yellow shades before falling.

Hydrangea paniculata Living Pinky Promise is rather accommodating: very hardy, it is content with any good, well-drained garden soil that is not too acidic or too alkaline, and it can withstand passing droughts once well rooted. Its compactness makes it suitable for small gardens, where it will make an exceptional subject on its own. In larger spaces, you can plant it en masse for a spectacular effect. It will also be perfect in a pot on a terrace or a large balcony, provided you remember to water it regularly. You can pair it with other varieties of hydrangea, such as Great Star Le Vasterival, which is larger and has larger sterile flowers, or Bobo (a dwarf variety). Other small shrubs, such as Abelia 'Pastel Charm', Berberis 'Rosy Glow', Daphne 'Pink Fragrance' or Cotinus 'Lilla', will accompany it wonderfully.