Thanks @luis_pr, I reached out to @ostrich in another thread regarding Little Hottie, and she had a similar experience as I. It's didn't display much vigor for her either.

I've grown more cultivars of panicles than I can count...since there is seemingly new introductions every year, with the differences being so subtle they are barely distinguishable between each other. However, in my book you can't beat the old stalwarts...Limelight, Pinky Winky, Quickfire, Little Quickfire and PeeGee...throw those in a full sun spot without any special care and they perform like rockstars.

Panicles do not perk up much here in Texas either. Sigh. With daily 100s from June through September or October, they do poorly. VS goes from white to brown many times here and does not get any nice or long pinks. They need shade by 3pm or so here; 5pm when I was in Atlanta, GA. I understand your desire for less drooping. Do realize that your shrub is quite underdeveloped, not yet a year old so hang on longer since you already invested some money. A small root system cannot uptake as much soil moisture as needed so I would hope it improves with a larger root system and with some more time. Since it is supposed to stay dwarf, I am also not surprised to hear that lacks vigor since the opposite would result in a shrub that might not stay dwarf. But maybe they could have made it more "floriferous". Have you considered a spot with direct sun from sunrise to sunset (assuming you are not in a "hot" place? Ostrich is in Canada. Where are you?

UPDATE (August 27/2026):

I have had 4 of this particular hydrangea for now 2 full years. It is a late blooming paniculata, not coming into its own until at least mid August. Given my location (CDN zone 6a) this is just fine and in fact, kind of good as it is nice seeing beautiful fresh white flowers on a hydrangea so late. This past winter all 4 were eaten down to about 6 inches by rabbits. I know paniculatas bloom on new wood but even so it was nice to see them bounce back just fine. They are each about 2 foot tall by up to 3 foot wide (with flowers). Here is one of them today:

Thanks luis!

There has to be 8+ hours of direct sun, but my trees are casting more shade each year, so I'll keep an eye on that.

I've noticed this from day one.

Removing the twiggy growth was what I wondered about and will do that.

I haven't fertilized at all yet but considering my soil type and nutrient levels, I'll do a little next spring.

Thanks again! ;-)

When I went back to get them, already sold out. Kicking myself cause I'd love to get blooms faster in my super short growing season.

At this time of the year, inventory levels drop but some places put panicles for sale. keep an eye for sale ads.