Quick Fire Fab® Panicle Hydrangea

Start hydrangea season sooner with this early bloomer! Quick Fire Fab® panicle hydrangea’s massive football-shaped (and sized) blooms cover the entire plant from top to bottom before other hydrangeas’ buds have even begun to swell! Each flower opens a cheery lime color and turns to watermelon from the bottom upward, slowly becoming two-toned. Altogether the show is so fabulous it’s hard to look away. It fits nicely into a low-maintenance garden, as a specimen in your front yard, as foundation plants among favored perennials in a mixed bed, or wherever you need an easy-care colorful shrub.

Why grow Quick Fire Fab® panicle hydrangea?

  • Early flowering extends the hydrangea season
  • Large, colorful blooms
  • Flowers on new wood = reliable performance

Additional information

Dimensions5 × 6 ft
Botanical Name

Hydrangea paniculata 'SMNHPM' PP#32,513, CBRAF

Zone

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Flower Color

Green, Pink, White

Foliage Color

Green

Height

6-8'

Width/Spread

5-6'

Exposure

Full Sun, Part Shade

Soil

Average

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

Megan Mathey

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.