The plant is vigorous with an upright growth habit. It can be planted in groupings and mass plantings as a screen or a hedge, or as a specimen in perennial borders. The 6-inch panicles sit on sturdy upright stems, which makes them good choices for fresh flower bouquets or dried arrangements. Unlike bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), the flower color of Hydrangea paniculata cannot be changed by altering the soil pH. Quick Fire is the registered trade name of the cultivar. The asexual propagation of the plant with vegetative material (cuttings) is protected by U.S. Plant Patents. The shrub blooms on new wood—the woody stems that develop in the current growing season. This has two advantages. Even a severe winter cannot damage the buds because there are none on the plant. It also means that you can wait until the early spring to prune the woody growth without decimating the bloom. The panicles might get heavy, but since they grow on sturdy stems, they usually only bend without breaking. Deadheading is not necessary, which adds to the low maintenance of the shrub.
Light
The ideal light setting for Quick Fire hydrangea depends on your location. In northern areas, it can be planted in full sun. However, in the south, it is better off in a spot with some early afternoon shade so it’s not exposed to the strongest midday sun.
Soil
Quick Fire Hydrangea grows in most soils, as long as they are well-drained. Soil high in organic matter is ideal, not only for the nutrient content but also because it is less prone to drying out. Apply a generous layer of mulch to keep the soil moist, and avoid locations where the soil is exposed to sun and wind. The soil pH does not have any impact on the flower color.
Water
After planting and during the first growing season, water the plant every few days in the absence of sufficient rain. Established shrubs do best in moist but not soggy soil. During extended dry periods, if the plant shows wilting foliage, water it slowly and deeply; it should spring back promptly.
Temperature and Humidity
Quick Fire hydrangea is very hardy and cold winters do not affect the bloom because this cultivar blooms on new wood. In hot weather, protect the plant against heat stress by keeping the soil moist. High humidity in combination with a lack of air circulation can lead to the spreading of fungal disease.
Fertilizer
When planted in soil enriched with organic matter, it is sufficient to fertilize Quick Fire hydrangea once in spring with a high-phosphorus fertilizer (such as 15-30-15) which encourages blooming.
Types of Fire Hydrangea
‘Little Quick Fire’ is a dwarf variety of ‘Quick Fire’. It grows to only 3 to 5 feet tall and to 2 to 4 feet wide, about half the size of the main cultivar. It is a good choice for any landscape where Quick Fire is too tall and wide, or for container growing. It is usually sold in 3-gallon containers.‘Quick Fire Fab’ shares the early and extended bloom time, easy maintenance, and other features with Quick Fire hydrangea but its flowers are different. While Quick Fire has open, airy, lacecap flowers, Quick Fire Fab has large, dense, football-sized mop-head flowers. They are creamy white at the beginning and, like Quick Fire, matures into a blush pink and then into a brighter and deeper red or pink watermelon color as the bloom continues. What also distinguishes the flowers of the two cultivars is the shape of the florets. The florets of Quick Fire Fab are cruciform, which creates an unusual textural effect that is not found in other hydrangeas.
Pruning
Quick Fire hydrangea, like the other panicle hydrangeas, blooms on new wood, so it is best to prune it in the early spring. You’ll be able to identify the dead wood, last year’s spent blooms, and the new growth. The thickest buds are located in the lower two-thirds of the plant, so make sure not to cut any growth below that level. You can prune Quick Fire hydrangea to grow like a tree on a single trunk but its natural growth is as a large, multi-stemmed shrub that is pruned annually.
Common Problems With Fire Hydrangea
Quick Fire hydrangea is relatively unharmed by serious pests and diseases. It is susceptible to bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, as well as powdery mildew. The latter occurs on the foliage especially in humid conditions and when there is poor air circulation. One way of preventing powdery mildew is to leave sufficient space between plantings. If you’ve had powdery mildew on the plant, make sure to rake up and safely remove all the foliage in the fall to prevent it from reinfecting the plant next year. If the fungal infection is severe, you can treat the plant with a fungicide. As for insects, Quick Fire hydrangea might attract aphids and spider mites.
