Puffer Fish® Panicle Hydrangea

If you’ve been blown away by Bobo® hydrangea, hold onto your hat when you meet Puffer Fish® panicle hydrangea. The flowers are larger and more prolific, covering the foliage altogether when it blooms in mid-summer. Each flower opens pure bright white and ages to handsome lime green. When you think the show is winding down, each bloom sends out a little sprig of white flowers at the top. It’s got a solid, rounded habit built from very strong stems. As a cut flower, it brings a bit more pizazz than your average panicle and in the garden, it fits easily into many different roles. Use it as a specimen, mid-sized hedge, or plant it in groups in a border.

Why grow Puffer Fish® panicle hydrangea?

  • Whimsical new growth on flowers in midseason
  • Large, plentiful blooms
  • Flowers on new wood = reliable performance

Additional information

Dimensions5 × 6 ft
Botanical Name

Hydrangea paniculata 'NCHP1' PP#35,316, CBRAF

Zone

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Flower Color

Green, White

Foliage Color

Green

Height

3-5'

Width/Spread

3-5'

Exposure

Full Sun, Part Shade

Soil

Average, Well-drained

Bloom Time

Summer

Uses

Borders, Containers, Cutting Gardens, Foundations, Hedges, Mass Planting, Screening, Specimen

Features

Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Cut flower, Fall interest, Landscape plant, Salt tolerant

Blooms On

New wood

Breeder

Dr. Tom Ranney

Plant Care

Light: The most sun-tolerant type of hydrangea! It will thrive in full sun to part shade. In warmer zones, it could benefit from placement in afternoon shade.

Soil: Prefers moist soil that drains easily. Any period of extended sogginess will not be tolerated. Soil pH does not affect flower color, it matures to deep pink in the fall. If browning occurs instead of aging to pink, this is an indication the nights are too warm or that it is getting inconsistent water.

Water: Average water needs.

Fertilizing: Nothing special required. If desired, you may apply a granular fertilizer formulated for woody plants in late winter/early spring when the soil is workable.

Pruning: Pruning is recommended in early spring. Remove weak branches in the middle and about 1/3 of the height and width. Make cuts just about 1/4 of an inch above a bud. Dead or damaged wood can be removed at any time, just cut back to a set of leaves!

Other: It can be used as a cut flower! For its longest vase life, cut vertically up the stem about 2″. This will help it absorb more water.