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Hydrangea paniculata

Panicle Hydrangea · Panicled Hydrangea · Peegee Hydrangea

Family HydrangeaceaeGenus Hydrangea

Conical white flower panicles standing above dark green leaves on arching shoots
FlowerHedwig StorchCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Height
8-25 ft2.4-7.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-25 ft1.8-7.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Brown/Copper, Cream/Tan, Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Fall, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, Kuril Is., Sakhalin and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
3-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 21 days.

100% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Hydrangea p. 49Public domain
Show the original text
Hydrangea (Saxifragaceae). The seeds of both species were received in March and had 6 m of DS. H. panniculata germ. 70L(2%), 70 GA-3{100% in 2nd w), 70D(none), 40- 70L(100% in 3rd w), and 40-70D(4% in 2nd w). Seeds were dead after 1 y DS.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Hydrangea p. 49. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 22, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 14 days.

4% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Hydrangea p. 49Public domain
Show the original text
Hydrangea (Saxifragaceae). The seeds of both species were received in March and had 6 m of DS. H. panniculata germ. 70L(2%), 70 GA-3{100% in 2nd w), 70D(none), 40- 70L(100% in 3rd w), and 40-70D(4% in 2nd w). Seeds were dead after 1 y DS.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Hydrangea p. 49. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

2% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Hydrangea p. 49Public domain
Show the original text
Hydrangea (Saxifragaceae). The seeds of both species were received in March and had 6 m of DS. H. panniculata germ. 70L(2%), 70 GA-3{100% in 2nd w), 70D(none), 40- 70L(100% in 3rd w), and 40-70D(4% in 2nd w). Seeds were dead after 1 y DS.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Hydrangea p. 49. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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