Hydrangea paniculata Magical Mont Blanc

Hydrangea paniculata 'Magical Mont Blanc' is a new variety of paniculate hydrangea that stands out for its compact habit, its numerous flowers and its conical, sparkling white inflorescences, which are particularly dense. From the first year of cultivation, this shrub is continuously in bloom in the second part of the summer for three months. All these qualities make it a particularly appealing selection for pot cultivation and very useful for landscaping small spaces. In the garden, it is easy to imagine this adorable hydrangea installed under a window or leaning against a small staircase, for example.

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as Paniculate Hydrangea, is a species belonging to the Hydrangeaceae family native to the leafy forests of China and Japan. It is particularly hardy and tolerates sun well, as well as slightly calcareous and occasionally dry soils.

The 'Magical Mont Blanc' variety won the Innovert prize at the Salon du Végétal in 2017. This shrub shows an erect, dense and very compact habit. The main branches are erect, while the secondary ones are slightly arched. At maturity, this variety will not exceed 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) in all directions, with fairly rapid growth. From August, numerous very white and very compact conical panicles, which have a green top, unfold on the year's shoots. They contain a large number of fertile florets that are tightly packed against each other. 'Magical Mont Blanc' has solid, well-ramified vegetation which supports the weight of the flowers without weakening. Its branches bear finely dentate, ovate leaves of a rather dark green colour, which are strongly veined and measure 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 generally bloom on the year's shoots.

Hydrangea paniculata differs from its cousin, Hydrangea macrophylla, by its good tolerance to sun, sea spray and relative drought. Installed in any good garden soil, without too much lime, Hydrangea paniculata 'Magical Mont Blanc' shows rapid growth. It is a very hardy variety, which can be planted alone, in a low hedge or in a massif, or in light undergrowth, mixed with other hydrangeas and perpetual roses to play with contrasts and shapes. You can also combine it with grasses like Miscanthus, Panicum virgatum Squaw and Stipa. Its small stature allows it to be incorporated into a small garden and to be cultivated without difficulty in a large pot on the terrace where it will live for many years with some applications of fertiliser and regular watering.