Hydrangea paniculata Puffer Fish® 'NCHP1'

Puffer Fish® Hydrangea is a deciduous cultivar in the Hydrangeaceae family developed by Dr. Tom Ranney of the NCSU horticultural department. This is a compact shrub with a dense habit growing 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.

Puffer Fish® Hydrangea will flower best if given full to partial sun in fertile, well-drained soils. In hot summer areas, some afternoon shade is desirable. As it blooms on new wood, pruning can be done in late winter to early spring if needed and in spring apply a slow-release fertilizer specialized for trees and shrubs.

In summer, the large, fluffy white clusters of flowers nearly cover the entire plant. As the blooms age, they turn lime green, and then a fresh sprig of white flowers emerges from the tips of the aging clusters. 

Use this hydrangea in borders, groups, as a hedge, in a foundation planting or as a specimen. The flowers will attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, scales, nematodes and mites may be seen but are rarely a problem. This plant may be susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot, rust, bud blight and bacterial wilt. It may be damaged by deer.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.