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HYDRANGEA

Big, bold leaves and large clusters of long-lasting flowers in white, pink, red, or blue. Summer and fall bloom. Flower clusters may contain sterile flowers (conspicuous, with large,petal-like sepals) or fertile flowers (small, starry petaled); or they may feature a cluster of small fertile flowers surrounded by ring of big sterile ones (these are called lacecap hydrangeas). Sterile flowers last for a long time (often holding up for months), gradually fading in color.

Hydrangea paniculata

Upright, spreading growth to 10–20 ft. tall and wide or larger. Medium to dark green leaves are oval and pointed, 3–6 in. long. Flowers begin as elongated clusters of greenish white buds in early summer, opening to 4–8-in.- long cones of white sterile flowers hiding tiny fertile flowers within. Blooms age to tawny pink, giving a show that lasts for months; flower spikes can be removed in late fall to neaten plant’s appearance.