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Puffer Fish® Panicle Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata

Flower Season
  • Summer
  • Fall
Mature Size
5' 5' 1.5m 1.5m
Height: 3' - 5'
Spread: 3' - 5'
Height: 91cm - 1.5m
Spread: 91cm - 1.5m
  • Details

    36 - 60 Inches
    36 - 60 Inches
    36 - 60 Inches
    91cm - 1.5m
    91cm - 1.5m
    91cm - 1.5m

    Features

    Think of Puffer Fish panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) as a larger, more puffed up Bobo®, with fluffy white blooms that engulf the entire plant, nearly obscuring the foliage. The flowers open and mature to a pure white. As the blooms age, they turn lime green and, for a bit of surprise, a fresh sprig of white flowers emerges from the tip of the panicle. A tight, compact habit with stems strong enough to hold its blooms. This NCSU hydrangea has all the talent needed to be a first-class landscape performer.

    Long Blooming

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Shrub
    Shrub Type: 
    Deciduous
    Height Category: 
    Medium
    Garden Height: 
    36 - 60 Inches 91cm - 1.5m
    Spacing: 
    36 - 60 Inches 91cm - 1.5m
    Spread: 
    36 - 60 Inches 91cm - 1.5m
    Flower Colors: 
    White
    Flower Shade: 
    White summer flowers have a green tint in autumn
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Shade: 
    green
    Habit: 
    Mounded
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Part Sun to Sun
    Light Requirement: 
    Sun

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Blooms On: 
    New Wood
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Summer
    Bloom Time: 
    Mid Summer
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Summer
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Fall
    Hardiness Zones: 
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Uses: 
    Container
    Uses: 
    Cut Flower
    Uses: 
    Dried Flower
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses: 
    Specimen or Focal Point
    Maintenance Notes: 

    Prefers good, loamy soil.  Adaptable to many soils, moderate moisture required. Blooms regardless of climate, soil, pH or pruning. Prune in late winter/early spring.  Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees and shrubs.  Follow the label recommendations for rates of application.

    Puffer Fish® Hydrangea paniculata 'NCHP1' USPP 35,316, Can PBRAF
  • 3 Reviews

    5
    1
    4
    2
    3
    2
    1
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • Gorgeous hydrangea with fluffy white flowers that age to a light caramel. I appreciate that, unlike other varieties of pan. hydrangeas that age to a deep rose or blush color, this one holds its "white." Unlike other reviewers, mine *did* have the puffer fish top to them as the blooms became larger and then started aging out. Great growth and blooms during their first season and I can't wait to see what they do in year 2!

      Megan Eaton
      , Maine
      , United States
      , 47 weeks ago
    • Just bought this beautiful Puffer fish hydrangea in July and planted it in my courtyard. Sun but also shade in later afternoon. I will wait to fertilize and prune in the Spring. The foliage is green and bush full but no hydrangeas on it. Will I get two flushes of hydrangea blooms next year? Excited about my purchase

      Carol Walters
      , Tennessee
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • I found this Puffer last year in the Fall, 2022, when it was still in trial. It is a healthy little plant. The leaves and branches are plentiful and the small white blooms are cute. There are no second flower puffs like in the description. Maybe next year? It has looked nice all season long. I’m pleased with its first year of performance in our East facing garden. Morning light, afternoon shade, North Idaho area. This past Winter got down to -15. Puffer Hydrangea was still healthy in the Spring when it started growing. White blooms for most of the Summer. :)

      Carly Wilcox
      , 1 year ago
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