When 'Limelight' hydrangea was introduced to North America from the Netherlands, it changed the way people thought about what had formerly been known as "peegee" hydrangeas. So much so that now, nearly all varieties of Hydrangea paniculata are known as 'Limelight' hydrangeas! Fast growing, extremely floriferous, and characterized by big, lush green blooms, it puts on a display that you will look forward to every year, year after year. Whether you have room for just a single 'Limelight' hydrangea or plant an epic flowering hedge, you'll be glad it's part of your landscape.

What makes 'Limelight' different from other panicle hydrangeas:

Flowers start green, turn white, then go back to green before turning pink/burgundy in autumn.
'Limelight' is the most heat-tolerant of all panicle hydrangeas, growing well even in USDA zone 9.

Details:
Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' pp#12,874, cbr#2319

Height x width: 6-8' x 6-8'

Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9
Light: Full to part sun
Soil: Any well-drained soil will do. Some drought tolerance on established plants.
Pruning: Blooms on New Wood: prune back by one-third in late winter/early spring for better habit and a slight improvement in stem strength.
Water: Average water needs. Does not tolerate wet conditions.
Fertilizer: Fertilize once in early spring with a rose fertilizer if desired.
Bloom time: Mid-late summer. 'Limelight' is one of the later-blooming panicle hydrangeas, and can bloom quite late in cooler climates. Limelight Prime hydrangea blooms much earlier, if you're looking for similar features and a longer display.
Bloom color: Flowers start green, open to a creamy white, then go to green again. The green color persists through late summer/early autumn; flowers then turn hues of pink, red, and burgundy. The color the blooms turn is a genetic trait that develops with the natural aging of the cells in the florets, and is not influenced by any condition in the soil, like pH level. You can’t change panicle hydrangeas’ color by treating with aluminum sulfate or planting in acidic soil – they will always stay in the pink/red range.
Uses: 'Limelight' hydrangea is a fantastic choice for a flowering hedge, providing seasonal privacy as well as beauty. It's equally effective on its own, however, as a stunning specimen plant, as part of a garden or landscape, or even in a large container.

Drought-Tolerant Hydrangeas

'Limelight' Panicle Hydrangea