Is this a Tardiva Hydrangea tree?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I bought a PG hydrangea tree on sale at a big box store. The description said white PG tree.

What I received was not a Grandiflora like I was expecting but rather a lacecap style with fiertile upright growth including the flowers. It did get a later start because of its shady location and the drought in July which is also a characteristic of Tardiva. The flowers are not all turning pink from the bottom up like Pink Diamond. Is there any way to tell for sure by the leaves and/or flower in the attached photo is a Tardiva?

Featured Answer

Jay 6a Chicago

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

The way I read it grandiflora is the Hydrangea known as Peegee, so yours can't be a Peegee if it's not 'grandiflora'? The straight species Hydrangea paniculata has white flowers that turn pink as they age or when affected by cooler temperatures. Tardiva is exactly the same, so I can't see any difference at all between the true species Hydrangea paniculata and Tardiva. I think it's just the industry's way of conning people into spending more money buying a new Hydrangea that they believe is different from the types they already have. I can't tell if it's Tardiva because there's no difference between it and the straight species Hydrangea paniculata. If someone can point out the difference I'd love to hear it. Now grandiflora is different and has a much fuller, heavier flower set, and Pink Diamond is also unique in the way the pink coloring starts at the bottom of the panical and works it's way up. A fitting name though Tardiva.😆

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Comments (9)

mainegard3
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Jay! You make some very good points and the feedback is appreciated

They do have rhe marketing piece down for sure; i passed little hotiie the other day 🤣
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Jay 6a Chicago
4 years ago
Well I hate deceptive marketing of plants. I bought a bag of tiger lilies with a picture of Lilium lancifolium on the front and they were actually some boring, ugly orange Asiatic lilies.
mainegard3
Original Author
4 years ago
Agreed
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
if you want properly named cultivars.. then you know.. and i know.. and jay knows.. ..... you shouldnt be shopping at bigbox ...

and you really shouldnt blast the industry.. based on what big box does ...

if you want or need duplicates of what you already have.. then propagate them ... grow more for yourself ...

being a collector.. i wanted one of everything... so i never really had to shop for duplicates at another time.. i would be entirely thrilled at what is pictured above ...

and i was thoroughly pissed off.. when i found out there were a few hosta that had like 10 names.. and batturd vendors sold me all of them... one guy.. 4 of them.. and he was no longer my friend ...

ken
mainegard3 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Tim Wood
4 years ago
If it blooms very late, most likely it's Tardiva.
mainegard3 thanked Tim Wood
djacob Z6a SE WI
4 years ago
Were the white flowers lime green before turning white? Is there some pink color developing? It could be a Limelight, though mature ones tend to have fuller blooms. Mine is very fragrant and was covered with bees until the cool weather moved in recently.

debra
mainegard3 thanked djacob Z6a SE WI
mainegard3
Original Author
4 years ago
Based on everyones feedback (thank you all) and observations im pretty sure its Tardiva. The flowers and overall shape i like but its not very impressive coloring up. @ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 thanks for the propagate suggestion; i will attempt that next! You make a good point about the big box stores too. After many years im starting to realize you were right about letting shrubs/trees be and not to overdue this or that. They seem to do just fine without the babysitting…even better ;)
pennlake
4 years ago
I think sometimes PeeGee, PG, is used as a generic common name for hydrangea paniculata. i thought Tardiva was chosen for its very late bloom time. Here in MN its about 6 weeks later than an early one like Quick Fire.