• Panicle hydrangeas are the only hydrangea species that can withstand full sun in Missouri. That said, they do appreciate afternoon shade during the hotter months!
• Needing less water than mopheads but not quite drought-tolerant, panicle hydrangeas like to be on a consistent watering schedule. Amending the soil for extra drainage and mulching with a 2-3 inch layer of hardwood mulch will help maintain even soil moisture.
• Fertilizing panicle hydrangeas too much can cause the stems to grow fast, but weak. Stick to one application of slow-release fertilizer in the spring once when new growth starts.
• Panicle hydrangeas maintain the strongest structure when pruned in late fall or early spring. Cut them back by 1/3 of the plant’s total size and remove spindly, damaged, or rubbing stems.
• Panicle hydrangea bloom color is dependent on temperature rather than soil pH. The cooler temperatures in fall cause a white-to-pink shift in most panicle hydrangeas.

Consider these companion plants: