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Multiple Powerball panicle hydrangea blooms with light green flowers and green foliage.

White flowers with a pink blush on Powerball panicle hydrangea inflorescence.

The flowers of Powerball panicle hydrangea aging from green to a deep pink color.

Two Powerball panicle hydrangeas, covered in round green flowers, bloom in a mulched landscape bed.

Several flowers on Powerball panicle hydrangea have begun to show the first signs of aging from green to pink.

Two flowers on Powerball hydrangea, showing their rounded rather than cone-like structure.

The green flowers of Powerball panicle hydrangea are beginning to bloom on a very sunny summer day.

Three young Powerball panicle hydrangeas bloom in the landscape with dozens of green flowers.

A very young Powerball panicle hydrangea shows its characteristic rounded rather than cone-like blooms in shades of green and pink.

Meet the Breeder

Megan Mathey
Grand Haven, Michigan

POWERBALL™

Panicle Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata

'SMNHPLK'

PPAF; CBRAF

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Rounded flowers
Green flowers age to pink
Sturdy stems

Description: Win the hydrangea jackpot with Powerball™ panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata)! This interesting new selection combines the USDA zone 4 hardiness and rock-solid reliability of panicle hydrangeas with the irresistible round flower shape more typically associated with H. macrophylla for an irresistibly showy display. Very large inflorescences are comprised of densely packed florets that start out a refreshing lime green, turn to creamy white, then age to an array of pink shades in late summer/early autumn. This healthy, vigorous panicle hydrangea has sturdy stems that hold the big, rounded blooms firmly upright, despite their large size. Useful 3-6' tall size provides abundant design opportunities in the landscape or garden.

USDA Zone: 3 - 8 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure: Full sun, Part sun
Height: 3-6'
Width: 3-6'
Finish Time: 1 season
Type: Deciduous
Bloom Time: Summer
Flower Color: Green, Pink
Foliage Color: Green
Liner Sizes: 2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

General Care

Soil

Adaptable to most any soil except very wet or excessively alkaline soils.

Pruning

In late winter or early spring, cut back by about one-third its total height, just above a set of large buds. This ensures that the growth for the season will come vigorous buds lower on the plant and also serves to remove any remaining dried blooms. Alternatively, cut back in autumn once the plant has gone completely dormant. May be cut back harder if desired, though this tends to produce stems that are unable to achieve maximum stem strength the following season.

Uses

Specimen; mixed borders; mass plantings. Makes a good hedge or screen. Excellent for cut flowers, both fresh and dried.

Growing Tips

Panicle hydrangeas are the most sun tolerant hydrangeas and are also resistant to wilting. In cooler climates, full sun is recommended for best stem strength and flower set. Flower color is unaffected by soil chemistry. If flowers turn brown and dry instead of aging to pink or red, this indicates that the plant needs more water or that nighttime temperatures are too high for the transition to occur.