Need Help: Identify this hydrangea...

7 years ago

I bought an unmarked hydrangea tree on the cheap ($59) and the nusurery hand thought it was a Pinky Winky. But given how early it started blooming, I think it may be a Quickfire. Any insight is appreciated!

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Comments (9)

luis_pr
7 years ago
The blooms look too new for me to guess. Look for a two-toned effect (white with pink) on older blooms to tell if it is PW.

Because it is a new purchase, the blooming time can be deceiving. On year one, this is affected by the wholesaler preparing the plant for sale such that it has blooms earlier than normal. So it could be PW after all; just this year is not a good one to tell if it is blooming early naturally or thanks to the wholesaler.
jlynch03
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Luis. Will wait for next year. And sorry that I spelled "nursery" completely wrong!
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October_Gardens
7 years ago
That's most definitely a QF. Congrats!
luis_pr
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I like PW too but shady space is at a premium. I would love to add some of the big uns: PW, Pink Diamond, full size Limelight, Vanilla Strawberry, Zinfin Doll, Fire Light, etc but, sigh, I am constrained to little ones like Little Lime and Little Quickfire. Wish there was a tree you could plant and it would shade selected areas overnight. :o)
jlynch03
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks. I'm on the hunt for two Firelights to add to may back yard. I've only seen them at one nursery and they were above $50 each. I like Limelights, but I already have a Little Lime and two Sweet Summer.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years ago
I agree that it's a QF. I have both QF and PW and my QF is just starting to bloom, while PW has a while yet. PW has longer and denser panicles than yours, and the change from pink to white is very consistent from bottom to top, with new white flowers opening on top while the base flowers are a solid pink.
jlynch03
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks NHBabs! Any idea how big a QF tree will get?
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Mine isn't a tree, but it's about 6'x6', so I imagine the tree will be about the same height, though it depends on pruning. This is one of my absolute favorite plants - easy care, nice stiff branches, and consistent long bloom to provide interest July-October in my garden. Not many plants look as attractive for as long.

PW on the other hand is a big one . . . 8' tall x 12' wide, and it's finally slowing down in its eighth season.
starlight99
7 years ago
I vote QF as well! Looks like my QF tree...it will grow to about 7x7 in a few years.