AWARD WINNING

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photo of Pieter Zwijnenburg

Meet the Breeder

Pieter Zwijnenburg
Boskoop, Netherlands

AWARD WINNING

‘Limelight’

Hydrangea - Panicle

Hydrangea paniculata

'Limelight'

PP#12,874; CBR#2319

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A very large specimen of Limelight hydrangea covered in lime green mophead flowers in front of a house "} Limelight hydrangea blooming in a landscape surrounded by colorful annual flowers Closeup of the lime green blooms of Limelight hydrangea The blooms of Limelight panicle hydrangea taking on pink red and burgundy tones Limelight flowers in a vase showing the deep pink coloration they develop later in the growing season Closeup of the lime green mophead bloom of Limelight panicle hydrangea A Limelight hydrangea blooming in front of a white raiiling with a red daylily to its right YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Award winner
  • Long blooming
  • Very hardy
Description

Award-winning variety with distinctive lime-green blooms. Our 'Limelight' hydrangea has become a garden classic, representing the best of the genus across North America. Refreshing green blooms in mid-summer transform to pink, red, and burgundy in autumn. The blooms are well distributed and held up on very strong stems. Multiple awards, including the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit; Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal, American Society of Cut Flower Growers Cut Flower of the Year 2007, Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

Awards
Gold Medal Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; 2008 Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit; Plant of Merit 2011, Missouri Botanic Garden; Louisiana Super Plant, ASCFG Woody Cut Flower of the Year
USDA Zone
3 - 9 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
6 - 8'
Width
6 - 8'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Green, Pink, Red
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Adaptable to most any soil except very wet or excessively alkaline soils.

Pruning

In late winter or early spring, cut back by about one-third its total height, just above a set of large buds. This ensures that the growth for the season will come vigorous buds lower on the plant and also serves to remove any remaining dried blooms. Alternatively, cut back in autumn once the plant has gone completely dormant. May be cut back harder if desired, though this tends to produce stems that are unable to achieve maximum stem strength the following season.

Uses

Specimen; mixed borders; mass plantings. Makes a good hedge or screen. Excellent for cut flowers, both fresh and dried.

Growing Tips

Panicle hydrangeas are the most sun tolerant hydrangeas and are also resistant to wilting. In cooler climates, full sun is recommended for best stem strength and flower set. We have heard reports of success with 'Limelight' in Dallas, TX, and Orlando, FL with afternoon shade and well-drained soil. Flower color is unaffected by soil chemistry. If flowers turn brown and dry instead of aging to pink or red, this indicates that the plant needs more water or that nighttime temperatures are too high for the transition to occur.