Summer Superstarts: Bobo & Pinky Winky Hydrangeas

If your garden feels a little tired by late July, you’re not alone. The vibrant flush of spring bulbs and early summer blooms begins to fade, leaving behind quiet pockets in your beds and borders. But don’t let those empty spaces go to waste, this is the perfect time to plant for late summer and early fall color! Two of our favorite solutions? Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’ and ‘Pinky Winky’, low-maintenance, long-blooming Proven Winner panicle hydrangeas that truly earn their space in the landscape.

Unlike their fussier cousins, the Hydrangea macrophylla (commonly called mophead or bigleaf hydrangeas like the Endless Summer series), which often need careful pruning and sulk without perfect soil or consistent moisture, Hydrangea paniculatas are practically unbothered. They bloom reliably on new wood, meaning you’ll enjoy flowers year after year regardless of winter damage, and they thrive in full sun, a rare trait in the hydrangea world!

🌿 Bobo is a compact, dwarf variety reaching only about 3 feet tall and wide, but don’t let the size fool you. It’s absolutely covered in large, conical white blooms that blush pink in cooler temperatures. It’s perfect for foundation plantings, low hedges, or filling in tired perennial borders.

🌸 Pinky Winky, on the other hand, adds height and drama. It grows to 6 feet tall and features white flowers that transition to deep pink from the base upward, giving it a two-tone ombré look that’s garden-photo worthy.

🤓 Plant Geek Fact: The name paniculata refers to the panicle-shaped flower clusters—cone-like instead of the rounded globes you see on blue and pink macrophylla types. These panicles allow for excellent airflow, making the plant more resistant to disease and less prone to flopping.

Both Bobo and Pinky Winky are beautiful reminders that your garden’s glory days don’t have to end with the 4th of July. Late summer blooms keep the party going and these hydrangeas are your perfect guests!

We have an extensive selection of paniculata Hydrangea – like, A LOT! Stop and see why we love them so much!