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'Limelight' Panicle Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata

Flower Season
  • Fall
Mature Size
8' 8' 2.4m 2.4m
Height: 6' - 8'
Spread: 6' - 8'
Height: 1.8m - 2.4m
Spread: 1.8m - 2.4m
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  • Details

    72 - 96 Inches
    84 - 96 Inches
    72 - 96 Inches
    1.8m - 2.4m
    2.1m - 2.4m
    1.8m - 2.4m

    Features

    The myth, the legend, the plant: 'Limelight' hydrangea.

    This unique panicle hydrangea revolutionized landscaping across North America. Huge, football-shaped flowers open in an elegant celadon green that looks fresh and clean in summer's heat. The blooms age to an array of pink, red, and burgundy which persists through frost for months of irresistible flowers. You can use 'Limelight' hydrangea just about any way you can imagine: as a showy flowering hedge, to screen off air conditioners, as an attention-getting specimen, in containers, flower gardens, or anywhere around your home. A long-time favorite of professional florists, it also makes an excellent cut flower, fresh or dried.

    Top three reasons to grow 'Limelight' hydrangea:

    - It's a time-tested classic that graces the yards of thousands of homes across North America

    - Large flowers have a unique color that looks great with any style and color of house.

    - Blooms every year, even in cold climates - winter doesn't faze it at all.

    Award Winner
    Long Blooming
    Fall Interest
    Drought Tolerant

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Shrub
    Shrub Type: 
    Deciduous
    Height Category: 
    Tall
    Garden Height: 
    72 - 96 Inches 1.8m - 2.4m
    Spacing: 
    84 - 96 Inches 2.1m - 2.4m
    Spread: 
    72 - 96 Inches 1.8m - 2.4m
    Flower Colors: 
    Green
    Flower Shade: 
    Green
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Shade: 
    Green
    Habit: 
    Mounded
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Part Sun to Sun
    Light Requirement: 
    Sun

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Blooms On: 
    New Wood
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Summer
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Fall
    Bloom Time: 
    Mid Fall
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Fall
    Hardiness Zones: 
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Uses: 
    Cut Flower
    Uses: 
    Dried Flower
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Maintenance Notes: 

    This extremely durable, long-lived plant is easy to grow. It likes full sun in cold climates, afternoon shade in warmer ones, but it does require well-drained soils that do not remain soggy for any amount of time. 

    To prune, simply cut back by one-third its total height every spring. If you wish, you can apply a granular fertilizer formulated for woody plants (like a rose fertilizer) at that time as well.

    'Limelight' Hydrangea paniculata USPP 12,874, Can 2,319
  • 106 Reviews

    5
    76
    4
    26
    3
    1
    2
    2
    1
    1
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • I have both Limelight shrubs and a treeform that I have been growing for just over a year now. They survived our Michigan winter and woke up in the spring ready to steal the show. The shrubs especially put on SO much growth. I got them as small quart size pots beginning of last spring and now the largest is about 4ftx3ft and the other is closer to 3ftx3ft. The treeform and my shrubs alike have numerous blooms now that we are into August. Absolutely no regrets getting my Limelights!

      Charity
      , Michigan
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • Limelight is one of the BEST investments a Gardner can make. It has a POWERFUL PRESENCE and low maintenance. I have 6 of them. Gold leaves in Autumn and snow covered panicles in winter here in beautiful Michigan.

      Marie White
      , Michigan
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
    • I’m so disappointed with the Limelight Hydrangea Tree/Bush. Within a couple weeks of planting, nearly half of the grafted branches have snapped and it just looks so sad. The weight of the blooms + immature branches + a little bit of rain = a terrible combination. I bought a more mature plant at a higher price, and planted in a prominent spot in my landscape. I was so excited, but now I’m just sad. In my opinion, this plant is not well designed/engineered grafted plant and it’s just not suitable to thrive or even hold up to normal natural conditions, especially when it’s young. Something Mother Nature just didn’t intend.

      Jon
      , Ohio
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
    • I’m so disappointed with the Limelight Hydrangea Tree/Bush. Within a couple weeks of planting, nearly half of the grafted branches have snapped and it just looks so sad. The weight of the blooms + immature branches + a little bit of rain = a terrible combination. I bought a more mature plant at a higher price, and planted in a prominent spot in my landscape. I was so excited, but now I’m just sad. In my opinion, this plant is not well designed/engineered grafted plant and it’s just not suitable to thrive or even hold up to normal natural conditions, especially when it’s young. Something Mother Nature just didn’t intend.

      Jon
      , Ohio
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
    • This plant lives up to the hype, it’s gorgeous and healthy. I have 2 bushes that are covered in enormous blooms every year. The color progression of the flowers is stunning and they make marvelous bouquets. Buy this plant!

      A Ed
      , Virginia
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
    • This plant lives up to the hype, it’s gorgeous and healthy. I have 2 bushes that are covered in enormous blooms every year. The color progression of the flowers is stunning and they make marvelous bouquets. Buy this plant!

      A Ed
      , Virginia
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
    • Love this plant! I planted five along one side of my driveway this past spring (2021). Just in this growing season they've doubled their size- and that's even with deer nibbling on them before I got serious about applying deer spray regularly.

      Kate Driscoll
      , Georgia
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. There are just so many great things! Purchased 5 of these from a local "blue" box store with a TON of new growth for a great price. They did have a few weeds growing in the container as well but were easily removed. The ones we purchased were in 3 gal containers and easily 3 ft. tall. They are full and foliage looks beautiful. Using 1 in a large flower bed and the other 4 to mix in with a property boarder. We intend to add Natchez Crepe Myrtles, and pink crepe myrtles & Camillias to tie in Pink crepe myrtles already on the property elsewhere. We also have Bobo Hydrangeas as well as a Rave hydrangea and blue big leaf. Can not wait to see these compliment their own seasons and enjoy hydrangeas all through the year! Zone 7b, all in full sun.

      Heather Cole
      , North Carolina
      , United States
      , 4 years ago
    • I am noticing in the daytime their leaves are wilted and sick looking. In the evening they look great. So, is this normal? The get morning sun and then filtered sun in afternoon.

      Sonja
      , Illinois
      , United States
      , 4 years ago
    • Hi ProvenWinners I have planted Limelight Hydrangea which had larger, dark green leaves and did not turn very pink in fall/ winter, when I lived in Zone 3 area. I moved to zone 7 area and planted another limelight. in fall. In summer I found the leaves are not soft textured, narrow , not dark green and they are more shrub type with thin stems. I would like to know whether you have two varieties in Limelight Hydrangea. If so what are their latin names ? I have not planted little lime as the tag from nursery centers say it is limelight hydrangea particulate. Your clarification is much appreciated. Thank you.

      Meg
      , British Columbia
      , Canada
      , 4 years ago
  • 11 Awards

    Award Year Award Plant Trial
    2020 Consumer Top Hydrangeas University of Guelph
    2010 Plant of Merit University of Georgia
    2010 Plant of Merit University of Georgia
    2010 Plant of Merit University of Georgia
    2009 Knock Your Socks Off University of Georgia
    2009 Knock Your Socks Off University of Georgia
    2009 Knock Your Socks Off University of Georgia
    2007 Knock Your Socks Off University of Georgia
    2007 Knock Your Socks Off University of Georgia
    2007 Knock Your Socks Off University of Georgia
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  • 3 Videos

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