Hydrangea paniculata 'Vanille Fraise' standard panicle hydrangea (Pot Size 7.5L) sold by Boma Garden Centre

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Vanille Fraise’ trained as an elegant standard on a clear 80–120 cm trunk — a showstopping focal point for formal garden designs, patio containers, and pathways. Bred by Jean and Eric Renault in France and recognised with the Bronze Medal at Plantarium 2006, its name translates as “Vanilla Strawberry” — perfectly describing its colour transformation through the season.From July through to October, the crown produces loose, fluffy pyramid-shaped panicles that open creamy vanilla white before blushing to soft pink and deepening dramatically to rich strawberry-red as temperatures cool. Remarkably, all colour stages are often present simultaneously — creating a two-tone display of cream and deep pink at once that is quite unlike any other paniculate hydrangea.Best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. The standard form develops the richest red tones in a sunnier position, but the soil must stay reliably moist. Rated RHS H5 — reliable across most of the UK. Prune the crown hard each late winter (RHS Pruning Group 4); never prune the clear trunk.