Tree Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata (tree form)

Tree-form paniculata hydrangeas (Limelight, Quick Fire, Little Lime trained on a single trunk) are the most popular small ornamental trees in modern landscaping. Massive cone-shaped flower panicles open white or lime-green, age to pink, then dry to tan for winter interest. Blooms on new wood — prune in late winter without losing flowers.

Hardiness Zones

3-8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Maintenance

Low

Mature Size

8-15 ft H × 6-10 ft W

Growth Rate

Fast

Bloom Season

Mid-summer through fall

Bloom Color

White aging to pink, then brown

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade. Moist well-drained soil. Prune in late winter — hard pruning produces the biggest flower heads. Fertilize once in spring. Water during dry periods. Extremely cold hardy. No pH manipulation needed (unlike mophead hydrangeas).

Landscape Uses

Specimen treeFoundation plantingEntry focal pointContainer treeModern gardens

Best Growing Regions

northeastsoutheastmidwestwest

Great Companion Plants

BoxwoodBuxus sempervirens

Liriope

HostaHosta spp.

SpireaSpiraea japonica

Karl Foerster GrassCalamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

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