Little Hottie Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Hottie’

Other Names: Little Hottie Panicle Hydrangea, Dwarf PeeGee Hydrangea

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 4-5′

Width at Maturity: 4-5′

Spacing: 3-3.5′ for solid hedges; 8′ or more for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Rounded, Mounding

Flower Color: Chartreuse turning to Pristine White and then Soft Pink in Fall

Flower Size: Large – up to 6″ inches long

Flowering Period: Summer thru Fall

Flower Type: Single florets in large clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: NA

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0 (Moderately Acid to Moderately Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold (-40F), Disease, Drought (moderate when established), Heat, Humidity, Insect, Mildew, Sun

Description

Bred in the state of Georgia to stand up to heat, humidity and full sun, Little Hottie is a compact panicle Hydrangea featuring an explosion of large and long-lasting flower clusters during summer and fall. The flowers emerge chartreuse in mid summer maturing to a sparkling white and then flushing to a soft pink as they age, They are excellent for cutting and use in fresh or dried flower arrangements. The rich green foliage serves as an excellent backdrop to the flowers and is much more resistant than other cultivars to wilt and browning during the heat of summer, even in full sun! A spectacular low-maintenance and long-blooming flowering beauty for hot or cool climates (Zones 3a to 8b) in full sun or part shade!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 4 to 5 feet tall and equally as wide, Little Hottie Hydrangea makes an impressive specimen in small garden spaces or colorful groupings and hedges in larger landscape spaces. Also a nice addition to mixed flowering shrub borders, as an accent in home foundation plantings, as an accent in perennial gardens, and in medium to large containers. A fine addition to Hydrangea gardens, white theme gardens, cut flower gardens, perennial gardens and cottage gardens.

Spacing: 3-3.5′ for solid hedges; 8’+ for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Little Hottie Hydrangea can take the heat and sun at our location in mid-Georgia, but is also exceptionally cold hardy, withstanding even the coldest winter temperatures in the North. It is easy to grow in average, moist, well-drained soil. For best flowering provide at least 6 hours of sun a day. USDA Zones: 3a-8b Find Your Zone >

Note: Little Hottie is a panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) that produces its flowers from buds that are formed on “new wood” (the current season’s growth). This means you don’t want to prune them in late spring or summer when they’re preparing to bloom.

For proper pruning time and techniques on various types of Hydrangea see: How To Prune Various Types Of Hydrangea

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Hydrangea shrubs…

How To Plant Hydrangeas In The Ground & Pots

How To Prune Various Types Of Hydrangea

How To Fertilize And Water Hydrangeas

Plant Long & Prosper!

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