HONEY BEE POWER PLANTS
By Marie Rojas

Panicle Hydrangea, also called PeeGee Hydrangea – Latin: Hydrangea paniculata

The panicle hydrangea is a vigorous, upright, deciduous large shrub. It is also sometimes grown as a single-trunked, small tree. It typically grows to 8’ – 10’ or more in well-drained soils, in full sun to part shade. It comes into bloom late summer through fall, just when other plants are winding down, making it a good late-season nectar and pollen source for honey bees, as well as butterflies and other pollinators.

Other attributes include:

• 3 star nectar and pollen source; Daniel Potter ranked even higher – 4 stars!
• Blooms mid-August – September.
• It thrives in urban conditions.
• One of the most winter hardy hydrangea.

Blooms on current season’s growth, so pruning should be done in late winter/early spring. The smaller, fertile flowers are partially visible beneath the showier sterile flowers.

Pictures:

TardivaSingle: Caption “Hydrangea p. ‘Tardiva’, grown as a single-stemmed small tree.”
TardivaBee: Caption “A honey bee visiting the smaller, less showy fertile flowers.”