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Pinky Winky hydrangea

Pinky Winky hydrangea is a type of flowering shrub with pink and white flowers that change color throughout their blooming season. The Pinky Winky plant is one of the hardiest hydrangea varieties and can survive cold winters and hot, dry summers. Pinky Winky is a cultivar of panicle hydrangea and is known for its low-maintenance care requirements and reliable flowering characteristics.

Pinky Winky hydrangea basics

The Pinky Winky Hydrangea is a cultivar of panicle hydrangea. Each of the branching stems has several flowers connecting back to the main branch. Pinky Winky flowers are cone-shaped panicle bloom clusters. Panicle hydrangeas are the hardiest type of hydrangea and are more likely to survive and thrive in harsh climates.

The Pinky Winky produces large blossoming flowers that can grow up to 16 inches in length. These blossoms start white but gradually turn pink later on in the season. When the plants change throughout the season, they often produce a two-toned flower that contains both pink and white. Sometimes these blossoms mature into a deep red color after they turn pink.

The Pinky Winky shrub is a large hydrangea plant that can grow up to 10 feet tall but averages around 6 feet. You’ll need to make plenty of space around this plant if you want to let it reach its full size! The Pinky Winky Shrub grows to be around 5-6 feet wide. These shrubs can be planted and utilized as hedges in the garden.

Pinky winky hydrangea label

Buying Pinky Winky hydrangea plants

The Pinky Winky Hydrangea is a Proven Winners Color Choice Flowering Shrub. You can generally buy them at any garden center that stocks Proven Winners (and they can usually order one in for you if they’ve sold out of in-stock inventory).

Pinky Winky Hydrangea is also available as a hydrangea tree.

Pinky winky hydrangea flowers

Where did the name Pinky Winky come from?

Believe it or not, the namesake for the Pinky Winky Hydrangea came from a beloved children’s show-The Teletubbies. The breeder of these particular flowers, Johan Van Huylenbroeck, had a son who loved the Teletubbies, especially the Tinky Winky character. So as a tribute to his son, Huylenbroek named these flowers “Pinky Winky”, referencing their coloration in the tribute.

Pinky winky panicle hydrangea - proven winners - tag

Planting Pinky Winky hydrangea

The Pinky Winky can survive in many different conditions, but it should be planted in well-drained soil with moderate levels of moisture. Pinky Winky hydrangeas need to be planted in moisture-filled soil and watered regularly for at least the first year. However, once these plants have been established, they can survive in drought-like conditions.

When planting these hydrangeas, you should plant them about 6 to 8 feet apart. If you are growing them in a hedge, then you should plant them 5 to 6 feet apart. These plants should not be planted very deep in the soil. Only dig the hole as deep as the hydrangeas are in their current pot.

Pinky Winky flowers can be planted in either the spring or the fall. If you plan on planting in the spring, you should plant after the frost. If you plan on planting in the fall, you should plant early enough for the roots to establish themselves before the winter months.

Plant care for Pinky Winky hydrangeas

Care for ‘Pinky Winky’ is similar to growing most hydrangea plants. These plants should be given adequate sunshine and often prefer direct sunlight. In warmer climates, however, it is a good idea to give them partial shade in the afternoon if possible.

Fertilizer is not usually necessary for successful hydrangea growth, but if you want to increase the growth, the best type of fertilizer is a slow-release fertilizer. You should avoid any fertilizer with high nitrogen content, as it can lead to a hydrangea with lots of leaves but few flowers.

Pinky Winky hydrangeas are fast-growing shrubs that can grow several feet in one growing season. They can grow up to 4 to 5 feet tall and wide when the plant has matured.

Pinky Winky hydrangeas can be transplanted when they are in their dormant stage and have no leaves on their stem. Transplanting is usually done in early spring or late fall.

Pinky winky hydrangea shrubs for sale at garden center

Fertilizer for Pinky Winky hydrangea

Pinky Winky Hydrangeas are generally fed in the early spring and sometimes in mid-summer. Different fertilizer products have different guidelines for how much and how often to apply the fertilizer to the soil around the plant.

As with most plants, you will need to be careful as to how much and how often you fertilize your Pinky Winky Hydrangea. Too little fertilizer combined with naturally poor soil means your plants will develop paleness in their leaves and poor, slow growth.

For this reason, be careful only to fertilize Pinky Winky Hydrangea when needed. Be sure to read the instructions on the specific fertilizer you choose, as application amounts and frequencies vary between brands. Read more about hydrangea fertilizers.

Unlike some other types of hydrangeas, Pinky Winky Hydrangea is not affected by the pH levels in the soil and will grow and produce colorful blossoms no matter what the pH is.

Pruning the Pinky Winky hydrangea

Pinky Winky Hydrangeas are plants that do not need to be pruned. They grow well on their own. Many gardeners prefer to prune them to keep them looking tidy, but it is not strictly necessary.

You should prune your Pinky Winky hydrangeas in the early springtime. These hydrangeas bloom on new wood every year, so feel free to cut off brown twigs that have reached too high.

Start by removing any branches that are dead, damaged, diseased, or dying. Some gardeners like to prune off any branches that are touching or crossing one another. Others prefer to prune their Pinky Winky hydrangeas into shapes or train them to grow into trees.

Pinky winky hydrangea flower

Common pests that attack Pinky Winky hydrangea

Pinky Winky Hydrangeas can be attractive to pests, including aphids, spider mites, slugs, and Japanese beetles. Fortunately, recognizing them is fairly straightforward. These pests are all possible to conquer if you have the right tools.

One is to wash the leaves and stems down with soapy water. Another is to treat the whole plant with an organic insecticide. Be sure to follow the application instructions and frequency guidelines on the specific product you choose.

Diseases affecting Pinky Winky hydrangeas

Pinky Winky Hydrangeas are less prone to disease than many other varieties. That said, they are somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew, bud blight, leaf spot, and bacterial wilt. Most of these are caused or exacerbated by overwatering, too much shade, or too little ventilation within your plant.

One way to treat disease is to decrease watering and increase air circulation around the plant. Alternatively, transplant it to an area with better soil drainage or more air movement. Organic fungicides also tend to be effective in treating fungal infections in Pinky Winky hydrangeas. Follow the application instructions and frequency guidelines listed on the product you choose.

Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a quintessential Canadian gardener. An engineer by trade, she tends to an ever-expanding collection of plants. In her world, laughter blooms as freely as her flowers, and every plant is raised with a dash of Canadian grit.

Mary Jane is a certified Master Gardener and also holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. She's also a proud mom of three, teaching her little sprouts the crucial difference between a garden friend and foe.

When she's not playing in the dirt, Mary Jane revels in her love for Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, ice hockey, and the surprisingly soothing sounds of bluegrass covers of classic hip-hop songs. She invites you to join her garden party, a place where you can share in the joy of growing and where every day is a new opportunity to find the perfect spot for yet another plant.

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