Hydrangea paniculata Prim White

Hydrangea paniculata 'Prim White' is a new variety of paniculate hydrangea that appeals for its early and prolonged flowering and the elegance of its habit, which is at once ramified, rounded and harmonious. It is one of the first to flower, as early as the end of May, offering large umbels of white flowers that will make a big impact in the garden, in pots on the terrace or in bouquets. They bloom on a beautiful young plant with thin stems that takes on beautiful colours in autumn. This hydrangea is not very cumbersome and finds its place in gardens of all sizes. It is grown in a preferably humus-rich, fresh soil, in partial shade or in non-burning sun.

Hydrangea paniculata, also called Paniculate Hydrangea, is a species of hydrangea from the Hydrangeaceae family native to the leafy forests of China and Japan. Particularly hardy, it is easy to grow in any good garden soil that remains fresh in summer, and which is preferably slightly acidic or without an excess of lime.

The 'Prim White' variety, recently introduced to the market, was selected in France by Marie-France Doll. It comes from a seedling of Hydrangea paniculata 'Dharuma', which it surpasses in the quality of its vegetation. The shrub, with a rounded habit and moderately rapid growth, develops thin but well-ramified stems of a grey-green colour. At maturity, around the age of 10 years, it will rarely exceed 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in height for 1.6 m (5 ft 2 in) in width. From the end of May, numerous conical flower panicles unfold on the previous year's branches; these are slightly flattened and measure 15 cm (5.9 in) long. They contain mainly sterile, single florets, evolving from cream to white. It is common to observe a small rise in flowering in September, in rich and fresh soil. 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, carried by very red petioles. They turn yellow to orange in autumn before disappearing in winter. Paniculate hydrangeas are less sensitive to late frosts, as they mostly flower on the shoots of the year.

Hydrangea paniculata differs from its cousin, Hydrangea macrophylla, by its good tolerance to sun, sea spray and relative drought. Planted in any good garden soil, without too much lime, Hydrangea paniculata 'Prim White' forms, over a few seasons, a small and elegant bush that flowers for three months. Install it alone, in a low hedge or in a 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 lilies, and grasses like Miscanthus, Panicum virgatum and Squaw. Its rather modest stature for a paniculate hydrangea allows it to be incorporated into many gardens. It is possible to grow it in a large pot on the terrace where it will live for some years with the addition of fertiliser and regular watering.