About
Hydrangea paniculata 'Big Dick's White' is a cultivar of panicled hydrangea that bears large, conical panicles of cream-to-white flowers. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree that produces a mix of fertile and showier sterile florets which can open pale green and age to white. Flowering runs from June to September. A spring prune encourages the new shoots that carry the biggest flower heads.
About the genus
Hydrangea is a genus of more than 70 species of flowering plants native to Asia and the Americas. Hydrangea is also used as the common name for the genus; some are also often called hortensia. The genus was first described from Virginia in North America, but by far the greatest species diversity is in eastern Asia, notably China, Korea, and Japan.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hydrangea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hydrangea
In the garden
Hydrangea paniculata 'Big Dick's White' belongs to the Hydrangeaceae and is a cultivated form of the panicled hydrangea native to parts of East Asia. In its natural habitats this group grows in sparse forests, thickets and on mountain slopes; the cultivar retains the species' habit of producing upright, conical flower panicles that change through subtle colour stages as they open. Flowering occurs from June to September, with fertile florets often creamy-white and the outer sterile florets tending to a paler, pinkish-white tone; some florets open pale green before turning white, creating a two-tone effect through the season. To encourage larger panicles, prune in spring: removing older wood promotes the vigorous new shoots that will bear the season's flowers. In a UK garden, position it where the tall panicles can be seen against a backdrop or at the middle to rear of a mixed shrub border. It suits locations where late-summer structure is wanted and where spring pruning is practical. Allow space for its upright clusters of flowers to develop so the shape of the panicles remains clear rather than congested by neighbouring plants.
More in the Hydrangea genus
- Hydrangea longifolia
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Frau Katsuko' (Lady Series) (H)Bigleaf Hydrangea
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Oregon Pride' (H)Bigleaf Hydrangea
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Rosewarne Lace' (L)Bigleaf Hydrangea
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Rotkehlchen' (Teller Series) (L)Bigleaf Hydrangea
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Sweet Verena'PBR (H)Bigleaf Hydrangea
- Hydrangea macrophylla Chocolate Ever Belles ('Hokomachoko'PBR) (H)Bigleaf Hydrangea
- Hydrangea macrophylla Hi River ('Hiriv'PBR) (H)Bigleaf Hydrangea