Hydrangea paniculata Skyfall

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Skyfall’ is a new creation with a remarkably compact habit and very large flowers. Its conical panicles are composed of white flowers that resemble hyacinths, which gradually take on a pale pink hue over time. They are supported by particularly robust stems, which are unaffected by the weight of rain-laden flowers. Its foliage is a deep green. Very hardy and tolerant of sun and slightly calcareous soils, this shrub is very well suited to pot culture.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Skyfall’ (‘Frenne’ PBR) is a recent Dutch selection, similar to the famous ‘Limelight’ cultivar but with noticeably larger inflorescences and a more modest stature. The Hydrangea paniculata species is native to the temperate eastern regions of China and Japan. Like the species, ‘Skyfall’ has excellent hardiness (down to -25 °C) and adapts to sun and relative drought, while being more tolerant of calcareous soils than the traditional Hydrangea macrophylla. It forms a  compact bush with an upright and ramified habit, reaching about 120 cm (47.2 in) in height by 70 cm (27.6 in) in spread, with rapid growth. Its flowering usually begins in early July and continues until October. Initially greenish-white, its slender panicles, over 30 cm (11.8 in) long, composed of large star-shaped florets with long curved petals, turn delicately pink with the first signs of cold. Its sturdy branches effortlessly support the weight of the flowers. They are covered with beautiful deep green, ovate, deciduous foliage.

Planted in any good garden soil, albeit not too calcareous, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Skyfall’ displays rapid growth. It is a very hardy variety, which can be planted in a low hedge or in a mixed bed with other hydrangeas and perpetual roses to play with contrasts and shapes. Its small stature allows it to be incorporated 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 some additions of fertiliser and regular watering.