Plant of the Week: Hydrangea

A perfect fit. 

Bobo® is the smallest Hydrangea paniculata on the market (3' tall and 3-4' wide). That's noteworthy in its own right, but the really special thing is that it opens up a lot of possibilities for landscapers and gardeners.

Typical H. paniculata get pretty big - 8 or 10' tall. They're good for hedges, or as a high impact specimen in a larger bed. But Bobo® can be used as a foundation planting or en masse. It can be tucked into a smaller border, and even used in container gardens. Since it's a super hardy USDA Zone 3 it gives cold-climate patio gardeners a beautiful new option for their planters.

Another cute little hydrangea is Invincibelle Wee White®, a dwarf form of 'Annabelle'. Dwarf 'Annabelle', you say? Yes - you already know how to use this little guy. You've probably been laying awake at night dreaming of the day that you had such a hydrangea - and here it is!

Invincibelle Wee White® grows 1-2.5' tall and wide. Normally I don't recommend H. arborescens in containers. They're plants that really like to be in the ground. But this little plant seems to do OK in a planter. It's certainly hardy enough - USDA Zone 3.

Both Invincibelle Wee White® and Bobo® hydrangeas will grow well in full sun. They will do OK in partial shade, but you will likely see more flowers in full sun, especially as you go farther north.



Plant of the Week: Gatsby™ Series Hydrangeas

The Great American Hydrangea

When presented with a group of outstanding Hydrangea quercifolia, we felt strongly that our native hydrangeas deserved a name that reflected their heritage. That's how we came to call them Gatsby™ hydrangeas. 

They all have exceptional flower displays and robust fall color. They also perform well as container grown plants. Oakleaf hydrangeas have typically fared better as field grown plants than container grown ones, but these varieties shape up nicely (but go for a 3 gallon or larger).

Gatsby Pink® oakleaf hydrangea (shown right) has very showy blooms that quickly transform to rich pink. Gatsby Moon™ hydrangea has very densely packed panicles that are almost mophead-like in appearance, yet hold up very well on sturdy stems. Gatsby Star™ has a lacier look with crisp, star-shaped florets. All of these plants will grow 6-8' tall and wide.

If you need something a little more compact, check out Gatsby Gal™ H. quercifolia (Shown at top). She grows just 5-6' tall and wide.

 

All of the oakleaf hydrangeas will grow in full sun to partial shade and are hardy to USDA Zone 5.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles