Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora'

'Grandiflora' is a cultivar of the panicle hydrangea is a perennial, woody, deciduous shrub or small tree in the Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea) family.  The parent plant is native to eastern and southern China, Japan, and Sakhalin and Kuril Islands. The name hydrangea is derived from Greek and Latin and taken to mean water vessel, in reference to the "cup-like form of the seed-capsule."

'Grandiflora' is easy to grown and reaches a mature size of 10 to 20 feet tall and wide.  This hydrangea is more tolerant of full sun than other hydrangea species but prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant it in neutral to acidic soil with good drainage. It can be severely pruned in late winter or spring as it blooms on the current season's new growth, not on the woody stems formed during the previous year. The plant is shallow rooted and will benefit from a layer of mulch. 

The showy white conical blossoms appear from July to September when few other landscape plants are blooming. The large ovate leaves turn an attractive yellow color in the fall. 

This shrub is winter hardy, tolerates, heat, humidity, salt, and thrives in urban conditions. Consider 'Grandiflora' for an Asian or butterfly themed garden. Or plant it in a cottage, courtyard, or in a shaded woodland garden. Planted in groups it works well as a border or hedge but is also delightful as a single specimen. 

Quick ID Hints:

• opposite serrate leaves, whorled at branch tips
• large, cone-shaped inflorescence
• stout stem, reddish-brown streaked with gray

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids and mites occasionally visit but are rarely a problem. Some susceptibility to leaf spot, rust, mildew, bud blight, and bacterial wilt. It is susceptible to damage by deer and has brittle stems that are easily wind damaged.