Shake it up with blushing hydrangea

‘Strawberry Shake’ is the newest variety to add a pleasing pop of pink

Many a gardener has discovered the charms of Hydrangea paniculata. Known for its huge panicles of creamy white or greentinged flowers and majestic arching branches, it makes a showstopping addition to any garden. There was only one wee problem — the only colors to choose from were that lovely alabaster white of the straight species or the green aura of the Limelight variety.

That roadblock has been surmounted with the introduction in recent years of pinkflowering varieties. And the latest to hit the market is Hydrangea paniculata ‘Strawberry Shake.’© This new selection showcases the species’ distinctive conical flower panicles (from which the species gets its name) that start out white and mature to a yummy strawberry pink. Despite its compact form, shrubs top out at 4 to 5 feet as opposed to the 10 feet of a typical paniculata. However, it still manages to put on an impressive summer show. And the show sticks around, as individual flowers stay fresh on the stems for weeks. As a bonus, cut flowers are superb in living or dried arrangements.

Both the full size and dwarf paniculatas are vigorous plants that grow quickly to full size. They respond well to pruning and once established bloom profusely, sometimes so much that the arching branches can be weighed down with the heavy clusters.

Hydrangea paniculatas can also handle more sun than mopheads or lacecaps, making them more versatile. They are easy to incorporate into your garden. The large green ovate leaves make a lush backdrop for smaller perennials planted in the foreground even when this hydrangea is not in bloom. The compact varieties can also be used as focal points in a pretty container.

This deciduous shrub hails from Japan, Korea and Russia, as well as parts of southern and eastern China. Philipp Franz von Siebold is credited with describing the species to the western world and played a major role in bringing Japanese flora to the attention of the west. He also co-authored the influential “Flora Japonica” with German botanist Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini.