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photo of Megan Mathey

Meet the Breeder

Megan Mathey
Grand Haven, Michigan

QUICK FIRE FAB®

Panicle Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata

'SMNHPM'

PP#32,513; CBRAF

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Quick Fire Fab's blooms transitioning from coconut-lime to pink "} Quick Fire Fab's coconut-lime blooms Tim Wood with Quick Fire Fab's watermelon colored flowers Close up of Quick Fire Fab's football shaped, coconut-lime flowers Close up of Quick Fire Fab's football shaped flowers Dark pink Quick Fire Fab blooms exploding in habit YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Early Bloomer
  • Strong Stems
  • Floriferous
Description

A show-stopping, early bloomer with lots of wow. The large, upright, football-shaped blooms are densely packed with delicate, cruciform flowers of a pleasing coconut-lime color. But there's more. Delicious watermelon hues quickly appear at the base of the bloom and darken as they work their way up towards a contrasting lime-green tip. A fabulous, upright garden plant that holds its bottom-to-top blooms with ease and elegance. Developed here at Spring Meadow by Megan Mathey.

Looking for finished plants? Find a wholesaler or retailer here.

USDA Zone
3-8 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
6-8'
Width
5-6'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
summer
Flower Color
White, Pink
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

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.