Plant DetailShow Menu

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' is often confused with:
Hydrangea paniculata Flower Form
Native alternative(s) for Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight':
Hydrangea arborescens Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Glowing Embers' Hydrangea macrophylla 'Glowing Embers'
Hydrangea paniculata Flower Form
Hydrangea serrata 'Omacha Variegata' Hydrangea Serrata 'Omacha Variegated'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' has some common insect problems:
Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage
Twospotted Spider Mites on Landscape Plants
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' has some other problems:
Wind Damage
White-Tailed Deer

Limelight Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

Phonetic Spelling
hy-DRAN-jee-uh pan-ick-yoo-LAY-tuh
Description

'Limelight' is a cultivar of the panicle hydrangea, a perennial, woody, deciduous shrub or small tree in the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). The parent plant is native to eastern and southern China, Japan, and Sakhalin and Kuril Islands. The name hydrangea is derived from Greek and Latin and taken to mean water vessel, in reference to the "cup-like form of the seed-capsule."

Give 'Limelight' plenty of room as it will easily reach a height between 6 to 8 feet when mature. Unique, light-chartreuse blooms appear in late summer and fade into a rich deep pink. This hardy introduction from Holland has reliable flower heads ranging from 6 to 12 inches in length. The blossoms make attractive fresh bouquets or dried arrangements. This cultivar has stronger stems than most Hydrangea and can hold up the large flowers even after heavy rain.

Like all hydrangeas, 'Limelight' prefers good loamy soil with modest amounts of soil moisture. When established, this selection will tolerate brief periods of drought. Grow it in full sun to light shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is preferred. They are shallow-rooted and will benefit from a 2 to 3 inch layer of compost or mulch. Soil pH does not affect bloom color. It can be severely pruned in late winter or spring as it blooms on the current season's new growth, not on the woody stems formed during the previous year.

If you prefer a more compact variety, the cultivar 'Little Lime' has many of the same characteristics and grows half as tall as 'Limelight'. Both these varieties bloom on the current season's growth and are not troubled by late-season frosts. 

This shrub is winter hardy, tolerates, heat, humidity, salt, and thrives in urban conditions. Consider 'Limelight' for an Asian, cutting, or butterfly-themed garden. Or plant it in a cottage, courtyard, or in a shaded woodland garden. Planted in groups it works well as a border or hedge but is also delightful as a single specimen. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • opposite serrate leaves, whorled at branch tips
  • large, cone-shaped inflorescence
  • stout stem, reddish-brown streaked with gray

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids and mites occasionally visit but are rarely a problem. Some susceptibility to leaf spot, rust, mildew, bud blight, and bacterial wilt. It is susceptible to damage by deer and has brittle stems that are easily wind damaged.

More information on Hydrangea paniculata.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Hydrangeas in the Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#deciduous#heat tolerant#easy to grow#pink flowers#green flowers#mulch#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#afternoon shade#fall interest#chartreuse#cottage garden#air pollution tolerant#moist soil#well-drained soil#multistemmed#rich soils#neutral pH#deer browsing plant#dappled sunlight#frost tolerant#showstopper#morning sun#long bloom time#rounded#border planting#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#naturalized area#Asian garden#dried arrangements#winter hardy#border back#humidity tolerant#urban conditions tolerant#fall color red#remontant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#ppw#wind damage prone#repeat flowering#perennial#hedge#woodland#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#deciduous#heat tolerant#easy to grow#pink flowers#green flowers#mulch#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#afternoon shade#fall interest#chartreuse#cottage garden#air pollution tolerant#moist soil#well-drained soil#multistemmed#rich soils#neutral pH#deer browsing plant#dappled sunlight#frost tolerant#showstopper#morning sun#long bloom time#rounded#border planting#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#naturalized area#Asian garden#dried arrangements#winter hardy#border back#humidity tolerant#urban conditions tolerant#fall color red#remontant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#ppw#wind damage prone#repeat flowering#perennial#hedge#woodland#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hydrangea
    Species:
    paniculata
    Family:
    Hydrangeaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Root Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Holland
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Open
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    dehiscent oval; does not attract wildlife
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flower heads range from 6-12 inches long, consisting of both fertile and sterile flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    prominent veins
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Shredding
    Bark Description:
    Grey-brown and shreds when mature, irregularly furrowed
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Hedge
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Pollution
    Salt
    Urban Conditions
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses