Limelight Hydrangea Care
Limelight is a hydrangea paniculata cultivar that features bright green blossoms on a large leafy shrub, and these tips will help you care for this lovely plant. In the fall, the blooms turn a rosy color and both green and pink flowers can appear together on one plant. A tall plant and vigorous grower, limelight tops out at between 72 and 96 inches.
Planting
Place multiple plants at least 84 inches apart, as the plants can grow as wide as they are tall. Paniculata hydrangeas have the same lush look as macrophylla or mop-top hydrangeas, but they are less fussy growers and tolerate a wider range of growing conditions. In contrast to the globular shape of mop-top flowers, limelight has large conical blooms that sit upright on sturdy stems.
Best Conditions
Plant your limelight plants in either full sun or partial shade. The plants tolerate many different soil types, but amending heavy clay soils with some mulch is a good idea. Protecting your hydrangea from scorching hot afternoon sun protects leaves and blooms but total shade can result in lanky growth and sparse flowering. Fertilize in early spring and do any pruning early, before growth begins. The plants bloom on new wood, so if you prune the plant long after it leafs out and puts on new growth, you will lose out on the summertime flower show.
Potential Threats
Limelight is more tolerant of dry conditions than most hydrangeas, but keep it moist especially when it blooms. If the plant dries out completely, it will drop the flowers first to protect itself. Watch out for snails and slugs on the plants particularly in shady moist locations. Limelight is spectacular as a large potted plant, but you watch it carefully to make sure the pot never dries out.
Try planting limelight at the back of a mixed bed, and pair it with some unusual colored flowers such as chocolate cosmos or chartreuse flowering euphorbias to maximize the beauty of this plant in your garden.
