Hydrangea paniculata 'Switch' ®

Description and General Information

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Switch’

• Common Name: Switch Hydrangea

• Plant Type: Compact deciduous flowering shrub

• Growth Habit: Neat, bushy, and rounded; typically reaching 60–80 cm in height and spread, making it perfect for small gardens, patios, and container displays.

• Foliage: Fresh green, lance-shaped leaves that remain attractive throughout the growing season.

• Flowers: Dense conical panicles of creamy-white blooms that gradually turn blush pink, deepening to rich red tones as autumn approaches.

• Flowering Period: July to September, with colours intensifying through the season.

• Seasonal Interest: Exceptional multi-stage colour transformation, lush green summer foliage, and striking autumn tones.

• Garden Uses: Ideal for patio pots, low borders, edging, small mixed beds, or as a mass planting in modern gardens.

• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland, coping well with winter temperatures.

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Best grown in full sun to partial shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal to protect blooms in hotter weather.

• Soil Preferences: Moist, fertile, humus-rich soil that drains well while retaining adequate moisture.

• pH Range: Neutral to slightly acidic (pH 5.5–7.0). Colour change in H. paniculata is not affected by soil pH.

• Moisture Needs: Consistent moisture is key—avoid letting the soil dry out completely during summer.

• Planting Time: Plant in spring or autumn, giving roots time to establish before the extremes of summer or winter.

• Spacing: Allow 60–80 cm between plants for mature spread.

• Shelter Needs: Choose a sheltered spot to protect blooms from strong winds.

• Companion Planting: Works beautifully with ornamental grasses, low perennials like heucheras, or other compact hydrangeas for a layered effect.

• Container Growing: Exceptionally well-suited for pots—use a quality loam-based compost with added organic matter and ensure good drainage.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water regularly, especially during warm weather and when grown in containers.

  • Ensure even moisture without waterlogging.

• Feeding:

  • Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to promote strong growth and abundant blooms.

  • Supplement with a potassium-rich liquid feed every 4–6 weeks during flowering.

• Pruning:

  • Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.

  • Cut back stems to a strong pair of buds to encourage vigorous new shoots and large flower heads.

• Mulching: Add a 5–8 cm layer of organic mulch in spring to lock in soil moisture and improve soil health.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally healthy; occasional aphid infestations or powdery mildew may occur—maintain good airflow and treat promptly if needed.

• Winter Care: Fully hardy; in colder regions, mulch around the base for added root protection.

• Weed Control: Keep the root zone clear of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

• Longevity: With consistent care, ‘Switch’ will remain a reliable and compact flowering feature for many years, providing bold colour transitions in a small footprint.

• Size
  C 6

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.