Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond

Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond' is a beautiful variety of paniculate hydrangea that has contributed to the recognition of this type of hydrangea that withstand the sun, slightly calcareous and rather dry soils. It is a handsome bush of good stature that adorns itself in summer with elegant, long and pointed panicles. White at blooming, its flowers gradually take on pink tones, approaching red at the end of the season when the young plant is exposed to the sun. Plant it in the back of a flower bed or in a flowered hedge, in the sun or in half shade, in any loose soil that is not too dry. 

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as Mountain Hydrangea, is a species native to the leafy forests of China and Japan. It is particularly hardy and tolerates the sun. It is also tolerant of slightly calcareous and even occasionally dry soils if they are deep. All hydrangeas belong to the Hydrangeaceae family.

'Pink Diamond' forms a broad and bushy habit. Its growth is quite rapid, depending on cultivation conditions. The main shoots are erect, while the secondary ones are slightly arched. At maturity, this variety will reach on average 2.25m (7ft) in all directions. From mid-July, it blooms on the current year's shoots with numerous conical panicles, measuring up to 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) in length. They include sterile florets, with 4 petals, as well as much smaller button-shaped fertile florets with protruding stamens. The young shoots are red-coloured, then they turn green.  The leaves are ovate, medium green, heavily veined, and very finely dentate, 5 to 15cm (2 to 6in) long and 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) wide. They become yellow to orange in autumn, before falling in winter. Paniculate hydrangeas are less susceptible to late frosts, as they usually bloom on the current year's shoots.  

Hydrangea paniculata is distinguished from its cousin Hydrangea macrophylla by its good tolerance of the sun, sea spray, and relative dryness. Planted in any good garden soil, without too much lime however, Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond' shows rapid growth. It is a very hardy variety, which can be planted in isolation, in an informal hedge or in a bed, or even in a clear undergrowth, mixed with other hydrangeas, cotinus, or even perpetual roses, to play with contrasts and forms. You can also plant it with lilies, grasses, and shrub fuchsias.