In late summer it bears large conical panicles of creamy white fertile flowers, together with pinkish-white sterile florets.

Florets may open pale green, grading to white with age, thus creating a pleasing "two-tone" effect.

[6] Numerous cultivars have been developed for ornamental use, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[7] Those cultivars marked (PBR) are protected by plant breeders' rights from unauthorised propagation.

Other cultivars include: Hydrangea paniculata is sometimes smoked as an intoxicant, despite the danger of illness and/or death due to the cyanide[15][unreliable source?]

[16] Hydrangea is derived from Greek, meaning 'water vessel', in reference to the shape of the capsules.