Hydrangea paniculata
Siebold.
Panicled hydrangea, Hybrid Hydrangea, PeeGee Hydrangea, Panicle Hydrangea
(c) 空猫 T. N, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 空猫 T. N
(c) 空猫 T. N, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 空猫 T. N
What to Eat
Rutin. The flowers contain up to 4.06% rutin.
Where to Find It
E. Asia - China, Japan.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Kurile Islands (south), Sakhalin), China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku)
How to Identify
Hydrangea paniculata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
How to Grow
Tolerates most soil, thriving in a well-drained loamy soil, but resenting dryness at the roots. Tolerates boggy soils. Dislikes very alkaline soils. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5. The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade, but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day. Plants are hardy to about -25°c when dormant but the young growth in spring can be killed by late frosts. A fast-growing plant. A number of cultivars have been selected for their ornamental value. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back into old wood if required. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8cm long, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame.
Medicinal Uses
Blood tonic. The flowers contain up to 4.06% rutin. This makes them useful for reducing the incidence of recurrent haemorrhages associated with increased capillary fragility, particularly in hypertension. The flowers also contain 2.5% of a phenolic compound.
Other Uses
Nails Paper Wood. The bark is used to make Japanese paper. Wood - hard, white, fine grained. Used for small items, nails, walking sticks etc.
