For those of you who have never had paniculata hydrangea (i have limelight) they so outperform the big leaf varieties you will wonder why you never grew them.
For one, they bloom on new growth so you can prune in fall or even late winter and still get a bush civered in blooms.
Second, they grow in a graceful shrub shape so don't need to be shaped.
Third, the color is exciting as it changes day by day as blooms mature. Limelight, for instance, starts out greenish, then a lush creamy white then a pink with copper highlights.
Fourth, it is tough! Mistreated mine when I moved it in February, clipped down to 20", dug out and moved into different part of yard. This summer it shot up and is covered with blooms.
I really love this plant.
