Panicle Hydrangea, Tree Hydrangea 'Pinky Winky'
Hydrangea paniculata
Family: | Hydrangeaceae (hy-drain-jee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Hydrangea (hy-DRAIN-juh) (Info) |
Species: | paniculata (pan-ick-yoo-LAY-tuh) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Pinky Winky |
Additional cultivar information: | (PP16166, aka DVP Pinky) |
Hybridized | by Van Huylenbroeck |
Registered or introduced: | 2004 |

Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Pink
White/Near White
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Foliage:
Deciduous
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Patented
Propagation Methods:
From softwood cuttings
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Foliage Color:
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are good for drying and preserving
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Cumming, Georgia
Marshall, Illinois
Petersburg, Indiana
Bloomfield, Iowa
Narka, Kansas
Crofton, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Russell, Kentucky
South Deerfield, Massachusetts
Wayland, Massachusetts
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Spring Lake, Michigan
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Polson, Montana
Buffalo, New York
Elba, New York
Massena, New York
Ozone Park, New York
Waterford, New York
Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Pekin, North Dakota
Columbus, Ohio
Defiance, Ohio
Geneva, Ohio
Enid, Oklahoma
Albany, Oregon
Millersburg, Oregon
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Bolivar, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
San Antonio, Texas
Lexington, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Warrenton, Virginia
Seattle, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Positive | On Jun 27, 2018, Curlilocks from Walnut Cove, NC wrote: I planted my Pinky Winky in the fall 2 years ago and had little growth the first year. Second year about 4 feet tall and wide with amazing flowers. Love seeing the pink creep out. Now it is over 9 feet tall, almost as wide and blooms a plenty in various stages. I have not pruned up to now, but I will prune last years tallest next year. I am afraid to see how much taller it could get! Most amazing shrub: deer haven’t touched it, no fertilizer, no watering and wow! Planted in woodland soil, heavily mulched with wood chips and in partial shade. Heartily recommend for those with a large area to fill. |
Positive | On Jul 4, 2012, hcsurprise from Memphis, TN wrote: I was given this plant as a bonus at a plant sale. It was tiny and I have waited a few years for it to grow and bloom. The stems are a nice redish brown but the flowers are pure white. Beautiful but not what I was expecting for Pinky Winky. I would say the plant was mislabeled but there is one picture posted that looks all white which makes me think it it just my environment. Any comments from others? |
Positive | On May 8, 2011, Gracye from Warrenton, VA wrote: Hello! Before I plant my "Pinky WInky," I would greatly appreciate someone telling me if the root system is shallow or deep. I want to plant it over my well system, and I am concerned that the roots will become invasive. Can someone please help? |
Positive | On Aug 2, 2010, stylingstella from Saint Paul, MN wrote: It has taken 2 years, but my two pinky-winkies are doing quite well in zone 3 climate in northwestern Wisconsin. One plant in particular was damaged by deer in the first year, and I think it's going to take another year for it to really look good. But the other plant has lots of blooms and looks strong and healthy. I'm looking forward to seeing the pink color develop as we get into the fall season. Both plants are in very sandy soil, in full sun, with lots of mulch. They don't get that much care, but we've had a good amount of rainfall this year. |
Positive | On Jul 4, 2010, gardening_pam from Keswick, I bought 3 Pinky Winky Hydrangeas 2 summers ago and they are all doing really really well. They are all in different areas with different conditions and flower beautifully. I have one in a part shade location that is full and covered in flowers right now, another in a full sun, moist soil location and am training it to a standard form. The third is in a dry full sun location and is struggling a little more, not as full as the other, but flowering beautifully. With more water, I'm sure it will be more full and lush. |
Positive | On Jun 22, 2010, quasymoto from Bloomfield, IA (Zone 5b) wrote: I bought this and the first year did not get much growth. But in the fall I placed a wire basket around it and carefully filled w/leaves. This year it is short but has buds I am happy with it. |
Neutral | On Aug 20, 2009, bookreader451 from Troy, NY (Zone 5b) wrote: I ordered Pinky Winky this spring as a one gallon. So far I have been disappointed in the performance. I will give it another season to grow but the one gallon Limelight I planted much later has bloomed already. |
Positive | On Aug 20, 2007, ngam from Southeast, MA (Zone 6b) wrote: I like this shrub very much. It is new here this season but already is three feet tall and covered with flowers. There are blooms on every branch and they are held upright. It has nice dark reddish stems that contrast with the dark green foliage and two-toned pink and white flowers. The flowers bloom on new wood so a late spring frost will not prevent future flowers. |