Comparing Pinky Winky and Quick Fire Hydrangea

We love hydrangeas! They’re beautiful, they add a touch of class to any garden, and they’re easy to grow.

There are many types of hydrangeas, but the two most common ones people grow are the Quick Fire and Pinky Winky.

Pinky Winky is a new variety of Hydrangea, a flowering shrub that grows well in shade or full sun. This new cultivar was developed by  Dr. Johan Van Huylenbroeek, a famous breeder. The name ‘pinky winky’ refers to its leaf color.

Quick Fire is basically a more vigorous hybrid version that offers an exciting alternative to the well-known Pinky Winky. This variety grows best in full sun with rich soil that drains well. It reaches 6-8 feet tall and produces pink flowers resembling little faces on their stems!

In this article, we will show you how these two cultivars of hydrangea compare. We’ll discuss the similarities and differences between Pinky Winky and Quick Fire Hydrangea.

Quick Fire Hydrangea vs Pinky Winky: Overview

This Quick Fire and Pinky Winky are two of the most popular hydrangea varieties available. Both bloom in late May or early June, depending on the climate you live in, and both have dark green foliage that turns burgundy in autumn.

Both varieties of hydrangeas are drought-tolerant once established but prefer well-drained soil and full sun exposure or partial shade. They also prefer soil with a pH of 6 to 7.

Pinky Winky Hydrangea vs Quick Fire Hydrangea: What’s The Difference?

Here we have two beautiful hydrangeas that are very similar in appearance and growth habits but with subtle differences that might make one more suitable than the other in your garden.

Let’s take a look at what these differences are and how they might affect your garden.

Size

Quick Fire Hydrangeas are generally smaller than Pinky Winky Hydrangeas. 

The flowers are smaller, and the bush is generally less tall. This means that if you are looking for a large shrub or hedge, then Quick Fire will probably not be suitable. However, if you want a mid-size shrub that you can grow in a pot, then it is ideal.

Flower Color

Pinky Winky is one of the most popular hydrangeas on the market today because it has such striking coloration.

Pinky Winky forms new white flowers on top of the panicle until mid-summer when the flowers start turning pink. The young flowers on top are white, while the lower part of the panicle is pink.

Quick Fire turns pink but does not form new flowers, so its flowers are always pink. On the other hand, Pinky Winky has a two-color effect: its older flowers are crimson or red with a pink hue, while the newer flowers are white.

If you want a more vibrant color palette for your yard or garden, consider adding Pinky Winky to your collection instead of Quick Fire Hydrangea.

Bloom Time

Pinky Winky blooms about one week earlier than Quick Fire. It usually blooms around late May or early June, while Quick Fire often blooms in June.

The difference in bloom time is negligible, though, and really only affects gardeners who have both plants on their property.

Shape

The Quick Fire Hydrangea is a shrub that grows to 6 feet tall and wide. It has a rounded, upright shape with a slightly wider middle. On the other hand, the Pinky Winky Hydrangea grows to 8 feet tall and wide and has a more rounded, spreading shape.

The Quick Fire Hydrangea is a semi-dwarf variety that doesn’t grow as large as its taller counterpart.

Pruning

Pinky Winky needs pruning more often than Quick Fire because it tends to grow into a large shrub over time. 

Quick Fire has a more compact growth pattern, so it doesn’t need as much pruning. But if you do need to prune, trim after flowering for best results!

Light Exposure

The Quick Fire Hydrangea prefers full sun to partial shade. 

The Pinky Winky Hydrangea is more adaptable and will do well in similar light exposures to that of its cousin, except for those that are deep shade.

Soil Type

Hydrangea prefers soil that is well-drained but not too dry. 

If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, adding organic matter will help improve drainage and add nutrients to your soil. If you’re planting in an area that gets a lot of rain during the summer months, adding mulch around the base of your plant will help keep the roots cool and moist.

Watering

The Quick Fire Hydrangea loves to be watered but can tolerate drought conditions if necessary. It will grow best with 1 inch of water per week during its growing season (March-May).

Pinky Winky also loves water, but you don’t want to overdo it! Water only when the soil becomes dry at least 2 inches down or when leaves start to wilt. Also, be careful about watering during hot weather as this may cause fungus disease problems for your plant.

Both plants should be kept moist all year round, though.

The only trick is to ensure that you don’t overwater these plants. You can water deeply and regularly, but don’t let the plant sit in water.

The roots need oxygen and will rot if they are sitting in waterlogged soil. In fact, it’s best to let your plants dry out between watering. A good rule of thumb is to water them once or twice a week, depending on how much rain you’ve had and how hot it has been.

Disease

Both varieties are susceptible to powdery mildew, which is a fungal disease that can affect their leaves if they are not properly maintained. 

Both varieties also tend toward scale infestations if they are not given adequate nutrition or if they have too much shade or dampness around their roots.

Conclusion

There are many similarities between these two plants, the first being that they are both shade-loving shrubs. The real question is which one you feel will better suit your personal needs. If you can provide each plant with the right amount of water and fertilizer, either would be a suitable choice. Just make sure that you’re comfortable with its height and width, as well as any special needs (such as pruning) that they might have.