Hydrangea paniculata Tickled Pink

The Hydrangea paniculata 'Tickled Pink' is a variety of paniculate hydrangea with a compact habit, that can be grown in large containers. Well-branched, this hydrangea stands out with its large panicles of white flowers, appearing early in the season and lasting throughout the summer, before turning pink in autumn. Accommodating to different soil types, it does not require acidic soil to grow and is content with a neutral, or even slightly alkaline soil, as long as it does not dry out too much. Very hardy, it is the ideal hydrangea for beginners in the garden.

The Hydrangea paniculata, also known as Mountain Hydrangea, is a species of hydrangea belonging to the Hydrangeaceae family, native to deciduous forests in China and Japan. Particularly hardy, it is easy to cultivate in any good garden soil that remains moist. In the past, only large-growing varieties existed, but breeders have worked extensively on this species to introduce numerous compact cultivars. In the 1970s, botanist Jelena de Belder introduced the variety Pink Diamond to the market, which quickly gained attention with its white flowers that change colour during flowering.

The variety 'Tickled Pink' is an improvement obtained by the American Michael Dirr, horticulturist and professor at the University of Georgia in the United States. More compact, as it does not exceed 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in height but can spread in width, it bears large panicles of 20 to 25 cm (7.9 to 9.8 in) white flowers starting from the end of June. In August-September, these gradually change colour to a beautiful pink hue, preceding the leaf fall. The hardiness of this shrub is very good, down to -25°C (-13 °F), which allows it to be planted practically anywhere in France.

The Hydrangea paniculata 'Tickled Pink' is the ideal hydrangea for gardeners frustrated by not being able to plant Hydrangea macrophylla due to unsuitable soil and climate. This hydrangea tolerates full sun very well, which is a definite advantage for this category of shrubs, and its compact size allows it to be grown in large containers on a terrace. It will be appreciated for its long flowering period, which can even be extended by using dried bouquets. In the garden, it can be planted alongside shrubs that flower at other times. An Hamamelis 'Diane' will open the season with its winter red flowering, followed in late winter by a Japanese quince or the lesser-known Abeliophyllum distichum, resembling popular forsythias but with white flowers. Spring offers a plethora of choices, from the Snowmound spirea to the numerous weigelas. To accompany our 'Tickled Pink' hydrangea during the summer, nothing is better than a Lagerstroemia, and to enjoy a foliage contrast, the golden attire of the Leycesteria formosa Golden Lanterns (Pheasant Berry) will be perfect. And to complete the circle, decorative fruits for autumn and winter, such as those of symphorines.