• Photo of Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 (Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874s)

Plant Profile: Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874

Names

Limelight Hydrangea

  • Photo of Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 (Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874s)

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

Genus:Hydrangea

Species:paniculata

Family:Hydrangeaceae

The 'Limelight' hydrangea showcases distinctive light-chartreuse flowers in late summer that transition to a deep, vibrant pink. This robust variety, originating from Holland, produces reliable flower heads that can measure between 6 to 12 inches long. Like all hydrangeas, 'Limelight' thrives in well-drained loamy soil with moderate moisture levels. Once established, it can withstand short periods of drought. It flourishes best in full sun to partial shade, with a preference for morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Being shallow-rooted, it benefits from a 2-3 inch layer of compost or mulch, and the soil's pH does not influence the color of its blooms.

Allow ample space for 'Limelight' as it can grow to a height of 6 to 8 feet at maturity. Its blossoms are perfect for creating beautiful fresh bouquets or dried arrangements. This cultivar boasts sturdier stems than many other hydrangeas, enabling it to support its large flowers even during heavy rainfall.

For those seeking a more compact option, the 'Little Lime' cultivar shares many traits with 'Limelight' but grows to only half its height. Both varieties bloom on the current season's growth and are resilient against late-season frosts.

In terms of pests and diseases, 'Limelight' may occasionally attract aphids and mites, but these are seldom problematic. It can be somewhat susceptible to leaf spot, rust, mildew, bud blight, and bacterial wilt, and it is also vulnerable to deer damage.

For further details on Hydrangea paniculata, additional resources are available.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Feature Summary

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Image Gallery

Tags

#arching
#deciduous
#fall color
#poisonous
#perennial
#easy to grow
#pink flowers
#green flowers
#mulch
#deciduous shrub
#cut flowers
#afternoon shade
#chartreuse
#cottage garden
#accent plant
#hedges
#repeat bloom
#dried flowers
#moist soil
#well-drained soil
#multistemmed
#neutral ph
#dappled sunlight
#showstopper
#morning sun
#long bloom time
#rich soil
#rounded
#borders
#cold tolerant
#cutting garden
#acidic soil tolerant
#naturalized area
#dried arrangements
#winter hardy
#border back
#humidity tolerant
#urban conditions tolerant
#fall color red
#remontant
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses
#pollution tolerant
#ppw
#woodlands

Similar Plants

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Feature Summary

Attributes
Fruit
dehiscent oval; does not attract wildlife
Brown/Copper
< 1 inch
Flowers
Flower heads range from 6-12 inches long, consisting of both fertile and sterile flowers.
Pink
White
Green
Cream/Tan
Good Cut
Showy
Long Bloom Season
Good Dried
4-5 petals/rays
1-3 inches
Bark
Grey-brown and shreds when mature, irregularly furrowed
Light Gray
Light Brown
Furrowed
Shredding
Poisonous to Humans
Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, sweating.
Hydrangin, a cyanogenic glycoside.
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Shrub
Poisonous
Arching
Multi-stemmed
Rounded
Erect
Open
Low
Medium
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
3a
3b
9a
9b
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Landscape
Cutting Garden
Cottage Garden
Shade Garden
Border
Hedge
Accent
Specimen
Pollution
Humidity
Urban Conditions
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Attributes

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Country Or Region Of Origin

Holland

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Fruit

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Fruit Description

dehiscent oval; does not attract wildlife

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Fruit Color

grass
Brown/Copper

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Fruit Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Fruit Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Flowers

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Description

Flower heads range from 6-12 inches long, consisting of both fertile and sterile flowers.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Cream/Tan
filter_vintage
Green
filter_vintage
Pink
filter_vintage
White

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Leaves

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Description

prominent veins

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color

spa
Red/Burgundy

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Bark

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Bark Description

Grey-brown and shreds when mature, irregularly furrowed

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Bark Color

grass
Light Brown
grass
Light Gray

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Surface/Attachment

Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Poisonous to Humans

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Poison Symptoms

Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, sweating.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Poison Toxic Principle

Hydrangin, a cyanogenic glycoside.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Whole Plant Traits

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Cultural Conditions

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
3a
thermostat
3b
thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Stem

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874 Landscape

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' PP #12874: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy