Hydrangea paniculata explained
Hydrangea paniculata, or panicled hydrangea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae native to southern and eastern China, Korea, Japan and Russia (Sakhalin).[1] It was first formally described by Philipp Franz von Siebold in 1829.
Description
It is a deciduous shrub or small tree, 1- tall by 2.50NaN0 broad, growing in sparse forests or thickets in valleys or on mountain slopes.[2]
The leaves are broadly oval, toothed and 7- 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 "two-tone" effect.[3]
Cultivation
In cultivation it is pruned in spring to obtain larger flower heads.[4]
Numerous cultivars have been developed for ornamental use, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[5]
- 'Big Ben'[6]
- 'Limelight' (PBR)[7]
- 'Phantom'[8]
- = 'Interhydia'[9]
- = 'Dvppinky' (PBR)[10]
- 'Silver Dollar'[11]
Those cultivars marked (PBR) are protected by plant breeders' rights from unauthorised propagation.
Other cultivars include:
- 'Praecox',[12] a particularly early flowering cultivar
Uses
Hydrangea paniculata is sometimes smoked as an intoxicant, despite the danger of illness and/or death due to the cyanide[13] present as cyanogenic glycosides.[14]
Etymology
Hydrangea is derived from Greek, meaning 'water vessel', in reference to the shape of the capsules.[15]
Paniculata means 'with branched-racemose or cymose inflorescences', 'tufted', 'paniculate', or 'with panicles'. This name is about the flowers of this species.
External links
- Friedman, William. "Eminent panicle hydrangeas." Posts from the Collections, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 15 July 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- Rose, Nancy. "A Parade of Hydrangeas." ARBlog, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
Notes and References
- Hydrangeas for American gardens, by Dirr, Michael. Timber Press, 2004. /
- Web site: Hydrangea paniculata . Wei Zhaofen . Bruce Bartholomew . Flora of China . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA . 18 August 2012.
- Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
- Web site: Youtube - Gardening tips: pruning Hydrangea paniculata. . 17 February 2010 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/B1eE5InJWKc . 2021-12-21 . live. 23 June 2013.
- Web site: AGM Plants - Ornamental . July 2017 . 51 . Royal Horticultural Society . 7 March 2018.
- Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Hydrangea paniculata 'Big Ben' . 7 March 2018.
- Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' . 7 March 2018.
- Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom' . 7 March 2018.
- Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond = 'Interhydia' . 7 March 2018.
- Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Hydrangea paniculata Pinky-Winky = 'Dvppinky' (PBR) . 7 March 2018.
- Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Hydrangea paniculata 'Silver Dollar' . 7 March 2018.
- Pfeiffer. Sue A.. 2009. Early Bloomer: Hydrangea paniculata 'Praecox'. Arnoldia. 67. 1. 44. 10.5962/p.251047 . 2 October 2019.
- http://www.erowid.org/herbs/hydrangea/hydrangea.shtml Erowid Hydrangea Vault
- http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/hills-of-snow.html ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 206, 289