Peegee Hydrangea Shrub

Gorgeous Peegee Hydrangea is the Perfect Addition for Yards, Gardens and Landscapes

A deciduous plant displaying white, midsummer blooms that later turn pink, Peegee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) can be cultivated as a small tree or large flower shrub capable of reaching 20 feet in height. Hardy and tolerant of urban environments, this type of hydrangea thrives in full sun, partial shade and moist soil.

H. paniculata displays beautiful, creamy white blooms from mid-summer until early fall. Flowers are large and heavy enough to cause branches to arch slightly downward, giving this bush an attractive, tropical appearance. Each bloom has four petals about 13 inches long and seven inches wide. Towards fall, flowers may change to a pale purplish pink if conditions are drier than normal.

Planting Tips for Peegee Hydrangea

Plant your hydrangea where it receives bright sunlight throughout the afternoon. Give them a good soaking once or twice a week. They prefer deep waterings over more shallow, daily waterings. Soak roots completely at each watering session to establish a strong root system.

In early spring, sprinkle fertilizer around the base of the plant before watering. Repeat this in May and late July. Adding a couple inches of pine needle or bark chip mulch around the tree's base helps control weed growth, retains moisture and provides insulation for roots during the winter.

Hydrangeas adapt well to transplants. Location of where you want to plant Peegees depends on if you intend to prune the plant to be a small tree or large bush. Mostly pest and disease-free, they grow rapidly as shrub borders, hedge accents, on open lawns and in landscaped areas.

Pruning should be done in early spring and late fall, or whenever a Peegee bush needs to be shaped. When bloom heads start developing in the summer, stop pruning until growing season is completed.

Propagating Hydrangea paniculata

Since this hydrangea does not produce seeds, they must be propagated from cuttings. When planting a cutting, make sure the area where the roots meet the stem is inserted less than an inch below ground level. Deeper planting may promote deterioration of roots. After planting the cutting, sprinkle fertilizer on soil, water and then add mulch.

Winter Care For Pee Gee Hydrangea

To prevent dead blooms from weighing down branches in winter, break or cut them off. Wrap burlap around the base trunk of the tree or bush to help insulate roots and retain moisture.

If deer are a problem in your area in winter, you might want place chicken wire around your hydrangea bush or tree.

Keep heavy snow from accumulating on branches by brushing off snow after each snow event. This will also allow as much sunlight as possible to reach branches and the lower half of the bush.

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