Hydrangea paniculata [Bobo] 'ILvobo' (Huylenbroeck 2010) Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan, 8/2020 - Dwarf Panicle Hydrangea, hye-DRAIN-juh puh-nick -you-LAY-tuh, Mature size: 2-3', Opens white, transitions to Pink, USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8, Michigan Bloom Month 6-9, In Garden Bed J2,18 for 14 MONTHS (Blues). Planted in 2019.
Missouri Botanical Garden: 'Ilvobo', commonly sold under the trade name of BOBO, is a compact cultivar that typically grows in an upright rounded mound to only 2-3' tall and to 3-4' wide. It is the product of an open pollination in a controlled breeding program that took place in Melle, Belgium in 2003 between Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond' (female parent) and an unknown Hydrangea paniculata (male parent). 'Ilvobo' is particularly noted for its dwarf/compact mounded shape, free branching habit, early flowering, strong stems, and conical flowering habit. Abundant sterile white flowers bloom early and profusely in large flower panicles (each to 11" long). Strong stiff stems hold the panicles upright with no drooping. Flowers gradually acquire pink to light purple tones as they mature. Flowers typically bloom from July through September. Ovate, serrate, dark green leaves (to 2 1/2" long) produce generally undistinguished fall color.
2020 note: Produced a bloom after a couple of months in the garden last year. Is about 18 inches high and wide after 14 months in the ground. Garden soil in this area is mostly clay. Not sure what kind of trimming I will do with this shrub. Will check out plant structure this winter. If it maintains a mounded ball shape, I may just leave it. So far, I really like the size. Seems at home in the perennial garden.
Additional photos of this plant (search of my flickr photostream):
https://www.flickr.com/search/...[Bobo]%20%27ILvobo%27
