Huge Pink Snowballs



Posted: Tuesday, September 15, 2009

by Dennis Sons
tn nursery

Hydrangeas (paniculata) are a group of deciduous shrubs that are native to Japan, as well as China and Korea originally. The Pink Diamond Hydrangea comes from the popular Pee Gee' hydrangea and is a relatively new development. The old Pee Gee was first introduced in England in 1861 by Japan. It was during the Victorian era that the Pee Gee became the rage for not only its long-lasting beauty but also because it was considered a very hardy shrub. After first becoming popularized in England, the shrub was the introduced into the United States where it spread right across the eastern part of the states, where it was heavily planted.

According to agricultural history, a couple named Jelena and Robert de Belder from Antweren, Belgium were breeders of hydrangeas. Apparently, they began their breeding in the 1960's with a seedling from the Pee Gee group and called it "Unique". The Pink Diamond was a seedling of "Unique" and was developed, becoming a cultivar in the 1980's. This lovely shrub most typically grows to heights of 6 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of approximately 10 feet. Since this is a more refined shrub, it will not likely grow over 10 feet tall, although there are records of them growing up to 22 feet, which is the exception. It clears the ground by 2 feet. It grows at a medium rate, with a life expectancy of forty years plus.

The first flower buds of the Pink Diamond Hydrangea open with a soft pink and bloom into conical, lacy clusters of creamy white flowers blooming in mid-summer that change to a warm pink color that transforms to an impressive deep pink with the onset of fall, lasting often until the first frosts. What we call a flower is in actuality, a cluster of flowers that cover the shrub which consist of fertile and sterile florets that spread about one and a half inches across. The clusters are then lighter and daintier than this, the flowers due not flop over with weight as the Pee Gees do. The deep green foliage will turn yellow in the fall.

The pink diamond hydrangeas bloom on new wood, therefore pruning should be done in late winter or early spring. This beautiful shrub is also hardy and can tolerate all kind of soils however they prefer slightly acidic, moist but well-drained, fertile soil. It should not be allowed to dry out. These hydrangeas prefer full sun but will do well in light shade. Applying the thick mulch around the root system will protect the shrub, particularly in the colder zones.

Pink Diamond hydrangeas are beautiful ornamentals that accent any landscape and their flowers make excellent cuttings. This shrub will require regular care, making it a high maintenance shrub. In northern climates, plant this shrub in a wind-protected area.

If you are looking for a focal point in your garden or on your property, the Pink Diamond Hydrangea is an excellent choice. There is a shrub at your local nursery just waiting to brighten up your landscape and grace your home with the bouquets of flowers.

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