QUICK FIRE!!! :-)

It is purely a personal preference, but it seems that Quick Fire has some attributes that the other paniculatas do not have, such as its early bloom time and more compact size.

How much space do you have and what is the sun condition?

Thanks so much for your reply!

Basically, the space and sun conditions are not a problem. I have space in sun, in part sun or in shade.....I am just trying to decide between these two hydrangeas and choose one of them this year. I am wondering if there is a big difference in zone 7 between the color of these two as they change from white to blush and then to pinks. I wonder if quick fire turns darker than angel blush. I've read that quick fire is one of the first to bloom and changes colors about the time others are just budding. Does anyone know if quick fire is a more upstanding plant (kinda like limelight) than angel blush??? Photos I have seen have shown angel blush to be more of an arching cane plant than quick fire. Anyone know if this is correct???? Any particulars concerning fullness of blooms, size of blooms and depth of color changes of blooms would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Stillwelljill -
I have both of them ... QF Hp acquired in Spring'07 #3 pot with blooms - now the earliest & so far the most productive of all 6 of my H paniculatas. AB Hp just very recently acquired (May) - 1gal pot no clusters at all - now quite impressive in growth and has lots of cluster buds already!!! Obviously I'll have to wait for AB's 2nd season performance as far as appearance & number of buds. Both are planted in f/s sites.

I will tend to vote with Ostrich ... QF has g'zillion bud clusters & quite an eager-beaver performer!!!

Thanks Ditas and Ostrich. Ditas since this is your second season with QF could you tell me if the color change to pink and darker is a pretty color change? Also are there a lot of fertile and non fertile areas in the QF bloom, or is it more one than the other??? I really like the looks of the shrub part of QF, it looks more upright like my limelights. Since it is so early to bloom, it could be a nice addition along with my early annabelles. Did I understand from your post ditas that you have QF and AB planted in full sun sites. I have a great area that has morning and early-mid day sun then late evening shade. For my zone that would probably be best. Thanks again.

Hi Stillwelljill - Sorry for not checking in right away - 'got a bit busy w/ grandkids.

I'll be glad to let you know how quickly QF changes outfit ... she has not, as yet, opened her clusters, just getting larger & fuller. Actually, I do keep progress notes on my small H collection, particularly this season due to unusually long Winter & very strange/devastating Spring, here in IA. I was warned early on, by our local nurseryman to expect our dependable perennial bloomers to be 1 to 2 weeks late.

All of my paniculatas are in full/sun sites & seem to love where they are. QF is planted right next to Little L ... I too am anxious to see how she opens up & how long her changes take to the mature-stage-color. LL just started showing her first, couple of tiny bud-clusters ... it's amazing tho, how very quickly LL will fill w/ buds once she starts! I agree that QF was quite upright last season - I'm curious how she handles all the blossoms once they all open.

I think that the site you describe will be just perfect - since you said that the nursery is having a good sale & you have space for both ... need I say more!!! LOL - BTW have you checked the thread I started on AB, about a month ago? Silvergold posted her photo ... I know that AB is her favorite!

Good luck & I promise to keep you posted on QF!

Hi it's me again - QF just started opening her cluster buds!!! :-))) ... 'will keep tract of time from here on.

ditas, my QF is full of buds but still not quite open yet! I cannot wait!!! :-)

It is indeed so exciting, Ostrich - to see tons of those little greenish, cup-shape florets opening!!! <:->

I have both and actually like AB better due to it's really nice pink color - at least for me. Quick Fire does bloom earlier, but to me it just depends as to whether that is better or not. I have both early blooming hydrangeas and later ones to spreadh the blooms throughout the season. My QF is too small to say whether it is upright or not.

Thanks for information. I have a tendency to like the pretty soft/med. pinks and faded pink colors rather than the darker pinks. But I prefer pinks to the blues, at least for right now. I have found in hydrangeas to never say never cause before I know it I like what I thought I wouldn't. LOL