Sep 2, 2022

Bailey Hydrangea Receives Five-Star Rating

Bailey Nurseries’ First Editions panicle hydrangea ‘White Diamonds’ has received a five-star evaluation from the 2022 Plant Evaluation Program at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Evaluated by Chicago Botanic Garden staff from 2011 through 2019, ‘White Diamonds’ was put to the test to evaluate ornamental traits as well as landscape performance. Given minimal maintenance, the hydrangea was planted in a trial garden that was exposed to wind in all directions and received up to 10 hours of full sun during the growing season. It was also not deadheaded, fertilized, winter mulched, or chemically treated for insects or diseases.

In Issue #47 of Plant Evaluation Notes, Director of Ornamental Plant Research Richard Hawke shared their findings and stated, “The sterile florets of White Diamonds opened green and turned sparking white before aging to rosy-pink in mid-August. By late August, flowers turned green again with some pink highlights and pink spotting. The 2-inch sterile florets were large compared to most cultivars.”

“White Diamonds has been in these Chicago gardens for over a decade and the five-star rating shows it to be a true landscape performer,” said Layci Gragnani, brand and business development manager. “That rating, paired with its exceptional upright white blooms in the summer and spectacular shades of pink in the fall, solidifies White Diamonds as a stunning focal point in the landscape.”