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Key Takeaways
Limelight hydrangeas,H.
paniculata ‘Limelight’, are deciduous shrubs that grow rapidly up to 10 feet tall.
Annual pruning maintains pleasing size and shape and encourages flowering.
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Limelight is a paniculata species producing impressive cone-shaped flowers on new spring growth.
The optimal time to prune this shrub is late winter or early spring before bud break.
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Reasons to Prune Limelight hydrangea
Limelight hydrangeas grow rapidly, adding 1 to 2 feet every year.
Pruning is necessary to keep new growth from getting leggy and putting out smaller flowers.
Dense, crowded branches inhibit air circulation and create vulnerability to disease and pest infestation.
However, dead and diseased branches can be removed any time of year.
Here’s how to prune your Limelight hydrangea correctly.
Removing more than one-third can lead to seasonal stunting and diminished flowers.
Shrubs become stressed with droopy branches and weak growth.
7 Pruning Tips to Encourage Growth
Begin annual pruning when your hydrangea is fairly young.
Limelight hydrangea flowers on new growth and should be pruned in late winter or early spring before bud break.