Hydrangea paniculata cv. Kyushu
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’ Panicled hydrangea
Panicled hydrangea is native to Japan and China. It is not found in the wild in North America. They are "panicled" because their flower clusters are more cone-shaped (like panicles) vs. the ball-shaped flowerheads of other hydrangeas. Flower color in some hydrangeas is influenced by soil pH, but this is not true for this one. Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu' is a cultivated variety which grows into a small tree rather than a shrub. The branches are somewhat fountain-like, gracefully curved. 'Kyushu' isn't really a cultivated variety. According to the story, it was found by Captain Collingwood Ingram on a volcanic slope in Kyushu, Japan and given to the Kalmthout Arboretum in Belgium, which distributed it as a cultivar. So it sounds to me like it is a natural subspecies. Identification: These small trees reach heights of 10-30′ (3-9.1 m), and somewhat less in diameter. Leaves are opposite, roughly oval shaped, with serrated edges, 2-5″ (5-12 cm) long. Blooms are white or pink, cone-shaped, in clusters up to 10″ (25 cm) long and 8″ (20 cm) around. They bloom from July to September. See this Hydrangea comparison table. Online References:
The University of Connecticut Plant Database (Hydrangea paniculata) Hydrangea paniculata cv. Kyushu
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’ description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020. |
Range: Zones 4-9:
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