It was bred from paniculata hydrangeas, whose name refers to the shape of the flower trusses.
The leaves of this fast-growing hardy shrub also feature attractive fall foliage, becoming tinged with deep red.
Wait until they start to turn blush pink before cutting them for drying.
Limelight hydrangeas feature dramatic color changes through the season; in autumn the white blooms change to bright rose pink.Chrissy/ Flickr /CC by 2.0
Plant Limelight hydrangea in the early spring or fall.
Warning
Like all hydrangeas, the plant is toxic to humans and pets.
Limelight hydrangeas make good landscape specimen plants but they do need room to spread.
Give them a good natural mulch like shredded pine bark.
Light
The ideal amount of sunlight depends on your climate.
Soil
Hydrangeas in general prefer a rich, well-drained soil.
For paniculata hydrangeas, a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.1-7.0 works well.
Water
Hydrangeas have moderate watering needs once they are established.
They do best in evenly moist soil.
However it’s best to plant it where it won’t be vulnerable to damage from high winds.
Hydrangeas don’t require any special humidity conditions.
A muggy hot summer day may cause blooms to droop a bit.
Fertilizer
Hydrangeas benefit from light fertilization.
Apply a granular flower food fertilizer in the spring, and again in late summer.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Remove any dead wood and broken branches and cut down all the healthy stems by about one-third.
Propagating
Limelight hydrangea is a registered trademark and propagating it by cuttings or seeds is prohibited.
Potting and Repotting
The smaller varieties of Limelight hydrangea are suitable forcontainer growing.
A terra-cotta pot is ideal because it lets excess moisture evaporate and the soil stays cooler than in plastic.
The material is also heavy enough so the plant does not topple over easily.
Fill the container with loose, well-draining potting mix.
Roots growing out of the drainage holes will indicate when the hydrangea needs repotting to a larger container.
These fungal diseases are more likely in humid weather and when there is lack of air circulation.
The shrub might get aphids and mites but they don’t affect the overall plant health.
It reaches 6 to 8 feet in height and width when mature.
The old, dead wood needs to be removed to make room for new growth.
Limelight hydrangea needs at least partial sun to prosper.
In a southern climate, afternoon shade is best whereas in northern climates, the plant tolerates full sun.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Hydrangea.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’.North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
