Hydrangea Paniculata Kyushu

Hydrangea Paniculata Kyushu is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial shrub with large creamy-white conical flower heads throughout late summer. Hydrangea Kyushu will grow in almost any soil and suits mixed borders, white gardens, Japanese styles or large plant containers.

Hydrangea paniculata is native to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan where it grows in full sun in thin forests or mountain slopes. The Kyushu cultivar was introduced here by nurseryman Collingwood Ingram. It’s loved for its upright growth habit that suits compact gardens and masses of slender conical white flowerheads. Each flowerhead contains many sterile white florets that last from late summer to mid-autumn. 

It’s deciduous, so loses its slightly glossy ovate green leaves in winter before growing back bigger and better the following spring.

Height and Spread of Hydrangea Paniculata Kyushu
Hydrangea Kyushu is a medium-sized hydrangea. It reaches a height of 1.2 metres and spreads over 1.8 metres in 5-10 years.

How Hardy Is Hydrangea Paniculata Kyushu
It’s a hardy shrub that will survive wet and cold UK winters if its roots are well-drained. It copes with exposed positions and sun.

How To Use Hydrangea Paniculata Kyushu
Hydrangea Kyushu is a great candidate for mixed borders because it flowers in late summer and early autumn when other shrubs are fading for winter. It holds the RHS Perfect for Pollinators badge for its bee-attracting flowerheads so suits low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly gardens too.
Its creamy white flowers fit into a white scheme and as long as it’s well watered and fed it will grow in a large container on a patio or balcony.
Hydrangeas are often considered old-fashioned plants, but they are making a comeback in modern gardens. Paniculata’s cone-shaped flower heads are architectural, creating interesting shapes where there’s not much room. They’re also long-lasting in cut flower displays.

How To Care For Hydrangea Paniculata Kyushu
Hydrangea Kyushu is easy to grow and once established it needs little care.
Choose a sunny to partially sunny spot in any type of well-drained soil and water it well until you see new growth. Kyushu can cope with exposed sites if it receives a good amount of sun and the soil doesn’t dry out.
Pruning is a quick job and it’s worth doing because paniculata varieties of hydrangea flower prolifically when they’re thinned out. In spring, remove any dead wood and cut back last year’s stems to a pair of healthy buds.
After pruning, apply a thick layer of well-rotted organic mulch to the base. If you’re in a wet and cold part of the UK applying mulch to the roots as winter approaches will help protect it from the worst of the weather.
If it’s in a container ensure the base is stood on feet to allow adequate drainage. Hydrangea Paniculata does not like consistently soggy roots.