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Growth Rate
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Moderate to fast; forms a dense, compact, and upright habit.
Mature size: approximately 3–4 feet tall and wide, smaller than many other paniculata types.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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No |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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Butterflies and bees are drawn to its nectar-rich fertile blooms.
Deer resistant once mature but may browse tender new shoots.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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Bloom period: Mid-summer to early fall (July–September).
Foliage season: Spring through fall; deciduous in winter.
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Ideal For
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– Compact landscapes, foundation plantings, borders, mixed shrub beds, and large patio containers |
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Leaf Description
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Deciduous, dark green, ovate leaves with serrated edges and a smooth texture.
Provides a lush backdrop to the brilliant white flower clusters and turns yellowish-green in fall.
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Flower Description
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Large, full conical panicles of star-shaped pure white florets with a soft blush of pink as they age.
Blooms emerge in mid-summer and persist through early fall, holding color well into cooler weather.
Dense clusters create a “sparkling” look—hence the name Sweet Starlight™.
Flowers are excellent for fresh bouquets and dried arrangements.
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Planting Instructions
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Choose a sunny to partially shaded location with moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and about the same depth as the root ball.
Loosen the soil around the planting area and mix in compost or peat moss to improve aeration and drainage.
Position the plant so the crown is level with the soil surface, backfill, and water thoroughly.
Apply a 2–3 inch mulch layer (shredded bark or compost) to retain moisture and regulate temperature, keeping mulch away from the base of the stems.
Space plants 4–6 feet apart if planting in groups or borders for proper air circulation.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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Blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter or very early spring before new growth starts.
Remove spent flower heads and weak or crossing stems to maintain shape.
For smaller, stronger stems and larger blooms, cut back to 12–24 inches annually.
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Water Needs
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Keep soil consistently moist, especially during the first growing season.
Once established, moderately drought tolerant but performs best with regular deep watering during hot, dry periods.
Mulching helps maintain even moisture.
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Light Needs
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Prefers full sun to partial shade (best flowering with 6+ hours of sun).
In hotter climates, afternoon shade helps protect blooms and foliage.
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Harvesting
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Flowers can be harvested fresh for arrangements or dried by hanging upside down in a well-ventilated space.
Produces small, inconspicuous seed capsules after flowering—not ornamental or edible.
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Fertilizing
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Feed once in early spring with a slow-release balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or 14-14-14).
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote leafy growth over flowers.
A light topdressing of compost mid-summer can refresh nutrients.
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Pollination
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Pollinated by bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Produces sterile decorative florets along with fertile inner flowers—ornamental and pollinator-friendly.
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Companion Plants
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Perennials: Astilbe, Echinacea, Heuchera, and Salvia for contrast in texture and color.
Shrubs: Spiraea, Weigela, or dwarf Buddleia for layered summer interest.
Grasses: Panicum, Calamagrostis, or Miscanthus add movement and contrast to hydrangea’s large blooms.
Design tip: Combine with darker-leaved plants (e.g., Physocarpus ‘Diabolo’ or Heuchera ‘Obsidian’) to highlight its luminous white flowers.
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