Silver Dollar Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Silver Dollar')

The Silver Dollar Hydrangea is a compact cultivar of Hydrangea paniculata, admired for its elegant, cone-shaped flower clusters and tidy growth habit. This deciduous shrub offers reliable summer blooms that age beautifully from soft white to blush pink, making it a charming and manageable choice for small landscapes, borders, or container gardens.

Key Features:

1. Flowers: Produces dense, upright panicles of creamy white flowers beginning in mid to late summer. As the blooms mature, they take on a subtle pink blush in cooler weather, adding multi-seasonal interest. The flowers are held on sturdy stems and make excellent fresh or dried cut flowers.

2. Growth Habit: Silver Dollar has a compact, rounded form, typically growing 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. It maintains a tidy shape with minimal pruning, making it ideal for small gardens or low hedges.

3. Foliage: Deep green leaves provide a lush background to the luminous white blooms. Foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season before dropping in fall.

4. Bloom Time: Mid to late summer through early fall. Blooms are long-lasting and provide a bright contrast in the landscape during the warmest months.

General Care Tips:

1. Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. In cooler climates, full sun is best for maximum flowering; in hotter regions, provide some afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.

2. Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with moderate moisture. Slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Enriching the soil with organic compost helps support healthy growth.

3. Watering: Water regularly during dry periods, especially when establishing the plant. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

4. Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Silver Dollar blooms on new wood, so annual pruning encourages stronger stems and more flowers.

5. Fertilization: Feed in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilization, which can cause excessive leafy growth with fewer blooms.

6. Pests and Diseases: Generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, good air circulation and proper spacing will help prevent issues like powdery mildew.

Landscape Uses:

• Foundation plantings

• Low flowering hedge

• Accent in perennial borders

• Mass plantings or mixed shrub beds

• Large containers

• Understory planting for larger trees

Silver Dollar Hydrangea is a beautiful, easy-care flowering shrub that delivers classic hydrangea beauty in a smaller, more refined package. Its clean growth habit, long bloom season, and striking flowers make it a standout choice for gardeners seeking a graceful yet compact hydrangea.