Hydrangea paniculata, the panicled hydrangea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae native to southern and eastern China, Korea, Japan and Russia. Numerous cultivars have been developed for ornamental use.
Hydrangea paniculata is a deciduous shrub or small tree, 1â5 m (3.3â16.4 ft) tall by 2.5 m (8 ft) broad, growing in sparse forests or thickets in valleys or on mountain slopes. The leaves are broadly oval, toothed and 7â15 cm (3â6 in) long. In late summer it bears large conical panicles of creamy white fertile flowers, together with pinkish white sterile florets. Florets may open pale green, grading to white with age, thus creating a pleasing âtwo-toneâ effect. Hydrangea is derived from Greek, meaning âwater vesselâ, in reference to the shape of the capsules. Paniculata means âwith branched-racemose or cymose inflorescencesâ, âtuftedâ, âpaniculateâ, or âwith paniclesâ. This name is in reference to the flowers of this species.
