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Hydrangea paniculata 'SMNHPM' QUICK FIRE FAB® panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to East Asia, naturally found in the mountainous forests and valleys of China, Korea, Japan, and Russia’s Sakhalin Island. It is distinguished by its prominent conical panicles composed of small fertile and showy sterile florets that shift in colour throughout the season – from white to soft pink to burgundy – and it exhibits excellent tolerance for full sun exposure. The species was botanically described in 1829 by German physician and botanist Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796–1866), who discovered it during his time in Japan. It was introduced to Europe through botanical expeditions and collections in the 19th century, with early cultivars such as ‘Grandiflora’ and ‘Floribunda’ becoming popular in garden culture by the late 1800s.
A key milestone in the breeding of panicle hydrangeas came in 1892, when C. S. Sargent brought seeds back from Japan to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. From these, the cultivar ‘Praecox’ emerged – documented as the first variety with notably early blooming. It was praised in the journal Garden and Forest as early as 1897, and in 1922, Sargent called it one of the most beautiful shrubs in the Arboretum. The original plant still grows there as a living botanical monument over 100 years old. Thanks to its durability, long bloom period, and low maintenance requirements, Hydrangea paniculata has become one of the most beloved ornamental shrubs of the temperate zone.
The Quick Fire® series of panicle hydrangeas was launched in 2005 with the goal of extending the flowering season and offering cultivars with exceptionally early blooms. Developed by American breeder Tim Wood of Spring Meadow Nursery, the series aimed to combine sturdy stems, changing flower colouration, and reliable growth. Over time, additional size variations emerged – Little Quick Fire® in 2012, Tiny Quick Fire® in 2020 – all sharing the distinctive traits of the collection. The current flagship is Quick Fire Fab®, introduced in 2021 by breeder Megan Mathey. It features spherical mophead blooms with striking X-shaped florets and intense color transformation. The series quickly gained popularity for its adaptability, visual appeal, and ease of care. It provides gardeners with continuous blooms from early summer into fall – without compromise. Quick Fire® cultivars are also part of the Proven Winners® brand, known for high-performance plants suitable even for amateur growers.
QUICK FIRE FAB® is a medium-sized panicle hydrangea with a strong, upright growth habit, reaching about 150–180 cm in height and approximately 120 cm in width. From early summer well into autumn, it produces rich mophead-style inflorescences composed entirely of sterile florets with distinctive X-shaped petals. The flowers change color dramatically throughout the season – from lime green and snowy white to soft pink and deep red – creating a bold explosion of colour in any garden. Thanks to this transformation and its prominent floral architecture, Quick Fire Fab® makes an almost iconic statement, adding depth and dimension to the landscape. Its rigid stems do not bend after rain and maintain shape without staking, making it a dependable choice even in exposed settings.
Its deciduous leaves are broadly ovate, healthy, and medium green, turning yellow and burgundy in autumn. The stems display a soft purplish hue that complements the colorful blooms. As Quick Fire Fab® flowers on new wood, it benefits from annual pruning in early spring – leaving about 10–20 cm of previous year‘s branches. Its size makes it ideal as a standout specimen or for mid-level structure in mixed borders. It pairs beautifully with tall, boldly colored perennials with similar site requirements, such as delphiniums or foxgloves. For underplanting, richly toned heucheras work wonderfully, while medium-sized ornamental grasses like fountain grass add softness without obscuring its form. If you’re seeking a hydrangea that opens the season with elegance and finishes it with fire, Quick Fire Fab® is the perfect choice. The cultivar is protected under U.S. patent PP32513, granted in 2020.
Panicle hydrangeas grow best in full sun, though they can tolerate light partial shade. They are not particularly fussy about soil type but thrive in rich, well-drained conditions. Once established, they cope well with brief summer droughts, though consistent moisture helps keep them healthier. They respond well to fertilization, producing larger blooms and bushier plants. They adapt to any exposure and soil pH. Hardy down to –34 °C (USDA zone 4) and suitable for outdoor planters where they’ll simply need more frequent watering.
Last update 17-07-2025
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
