Good choice. This may be THE best known paniculata. Can also be grown in tree form and can get a lot of sun the northeast. Also called PeeGee.

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/paniculata.html

Limelight is another very good choice.

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/limelight.html

Both can get quite large so choose a planting site wisely.

thanks for the links. i will try and choose wisely. i had planned on putting it along the fence line. seeing the size i may have to rethink.
ta