skip to main content

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

jim_on_lookout_mtn

16 years ago

We are thinking of adding several of these as a hedge. All of the literature says they will take sun but we really need to know how much is too much. Also, I have terrible luck cutting the blooms of the macrophyllas. They always seem to wilt. Thanks for any help or advise. Jim and Eva

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

luis_pr
16 years ago
They take sun well in the northern states but, in states around the gulf, they would fry in full sun. Choose a location that protects them from the worst of the hot summer sun by providing shade by noon or so. Here near Dallas Texas, they actually fry if allowed to get sun sometime after 11am. Dappled morning sun is best.

There are some forum members who live in Alabama. I hope they can chime in and tell you when do their plants start getting shade.

As far as the problem with wilting of cuttings, I included a link below on that subject. Let me know if it helps!

Good luck, Jim and Eva!
Luis

Here is a link that might be useful: Bloom Cuttings Info
ego45
16 years ago
Though Limelight as all paniculatas could take a lot of sun, this particular cultivar will lose its lime color of the flowers pretty fast if planted in too much sun.
Therefore, even for the northern gardeners prefered position is a part sun, not a full sun. Otherwise you'd be better off to grow strait PG, not a Limelight.
Related Discussions
Help: Obsessed with Green Hydrangea
Q
Comments (16)
It doesn't just have to be 'Annabelle' - having grown and planted scores of hydrangeas over the years as well as selling hundreds more, I can state with a fair amount of certainty that most white flowered hydrangeas, regardless of type, will produce immature flowers that have distinctly greenish tones. FWIW, even most colored hydrangeas will offer a greenish tone while still in mostly bud. It is just part of the color change the flowers of these plants go through from immature/mostly bud stage, to full flower and finally to faded or aged flower. Specific cultivar, siting and climate will all play a factor - the degree to which this is noticeable is variable. In warmer climates this coloring is less pronounced, especially if in more sun. And despite what you may read online, even 'Limelight' does not hold its green tone throughout the bloom cycle - it eventually becomes a creamy white and then fades to a rosy pink. It might also be helpful to know that hydrangeas for the cut flower trade - like those in the photos - are greenhouse grown and heavily manipulated to develop specific traits, like coloring and larger, heavier blooms on very young plants.
...See More
Forcing Hydrangea Paniculata 'Limelight'
Q
Comments (43)
Ugh, my comment did not read like I intended it to read. Sorry, pilarfish6. That is what happens when your dogs are asking for treats while you are on the computer! Hee hee hee. Picture this request: feed me, feed me, feed me because I am meeeelting... Ha! You gotta love them! Yes, you will have blooms by September. But Limelight first produces blooms with a lime color, which then turns white and finally, the blooms add a mix of pinks and-or greens as the blooms further mature. If your intention is to provide lime green blooms only, or white blooms only or late colors from late blooms then it becomes difficult to get the colors timed precisely. When the wedding comes, for example, the lime greens may have turned white or be transitioning to white and be a mix of colors. Or the white ones may have started getting blotches of green or pink. Sorry about that being unclear in the previous note. Mea culpa.
...See More
patio project almost finished
Q
Comments (16)
Thanks, everyone, for the responses AND for all of the help/suggestions along the way. Chelone, I am considering adding some thyme or something as groundcover between stones. Can I plant it right in the stone dust, or must I add soil? As for the kitty, that's Molly. All of my (3) cats take turns asserting their ownership over new things. They like to pretend they own things exclusive of the others, so they usually are not to be found in photos together. Here is Tiger (Chelone read about him in a post elsewhere): He's mad because I wouldn't let him out in the rain. Here are some pictures from outside the fence as requested by Treeskate. I could also use some help with a couple if things. Yesterday I moved my Viburnum burkwoodii 'Mohawk' back several feet because it was not thriving where the runoff from the new patio bed was affecting it. So it's now in front of the window well and will hopefully disguise that for me. I popped a Buddleia in the space in between that and my Limelight. When the Limelight and Viburnum grow in I'll move the Buddleia. Here is the new area, finished last night: I'm looking to fill in the mulched area with some kind of groundcover that won't be too invasive but will cut down on the need for weeding until the shrubs fill in. Any ideas? Oh, and don't mind the two different types of mulch - - that's what I get for shopping at two different nurseries! For those of you wondering about Martha, you might be able to just make out her stones in the distant background of the first picture. I've moved them more times than I care to think about. No word yet from the people who are supposed to be working on it. . . Here is a picture from the front. I could use some suggestions for what to plant in place of the pachysandra, which will (eventually) come out. To the left are some peonies and a clematis. Any help much appreciated!
...See More
Need help with my Limelight Hydrangea
Q
Comments (13)
It may need some water or the cold weather (32 or less) may finally be getting to the leaves. I do not see any mulch around the base so the soil may dry out fast if sandy and-or if windy. I recently had to water mine because they are in a protected location and sometimes light rain does not reach them well. But the lack of mulch and your well draining sandy soil would allow the soil to dry fast so check first if this is going on by inserting a finger into the soil to a depth of 4" to see if it feels dry, moist or wet. January is also the coldest month in your area so this could also affect the leaves and finally make them dry out although my aunt in Ocala sometimes reported this as late as February. Scheduled temps in the 20s will "help" dry the leaves out so keep the soil moist the night prior to cold temp dips. Water once a week or once every two weeks in the winter if winter is dry.
...See More
ostrich
16 years ago
ego is SO RIGHT - I have my Limelight in full sun here in NE Ohio and what a mistake! Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful plant still, but my blooms are mostly just white. The lime color does not last at all - the blooms turn white almost right away! Sigh.... maybe I should relocate it!? But then I don't have any more partial shade locations.... sigh.....
luis_pr
16 years ago
It makes sense, ego45. The green color in hydrangeas is caused by immature blooms. So the more sun they get, the faster the blooms will switch color.
jeff_al
16 years ago
even the tomato plants are reaching for the shade down here this time of year! *lol*
i would select another shrub for a full-sun position if i were you unless you can provide irrigation on a daily basis.
they will wilt if sufficient moisture is not available and the heat of southern summers without shade can make them look bad. mine gets morning sun and afternoon shade(around noon) and blooms well.
actually, nothing in the hydrangea group looks good this year in my yard due to the drought. all flowers and even foliage appear downsized/stunted. 'limelight' has not flowered yet and the late gardenias are pitiful looking.
i can't imagine how bad they would look in all-day sun.
yellowgirl
16 years ago
Limelight...part sun/shade no doubt. Even though eventually they will need less water than their macrophylla relatives, ALL NEW hydrangea plantings will need heavy watering for at least the first season, maybe two.

I here ya Jeff...my ES have a hundred blooms...but they are all 3 inch blooms and leaves on many are very small this year. I have irrigation, but nothing replaces good old fashioned rain!! Last year we had almost none. This year we are finally getting some rain, unfortunately, it has come with incredible winds that are doing their own form of damage. It's always something. So far, a pretty disappointing hydrangea season in my yard, but I'll take what I can get......yg
jim_on_lookout_mtn
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks to everyone for your advice. We are going to try Limelight in a partially sunny spot and give it plenty of water this summer...if the well holds out. Just saw on the national news this morning that our area is 20" below average in rainfall. Also bought a couple of Lady in Red and have no real info on this one either. I do know that I was told that it did not put on much bloom but the foliage and stems are the selling points. I am planting them near some Lady in Red ferns . Eva
User
16 years ago
Does your Limelight have buds already? Mine does not and I inherited this hydrangea with the house so I don't know if it is too late. The thing is huge and I want to prune it too but I'm waiting until it flowers.???
luis_pr
16 years ago
If you do not care about the flowers, prune Limelight now.

Limelight blooms on new wood so it can be pruned at any time IF bloomage is not important (prune in spring, fall or winter if bloomage is important).

Luis
silvergold
16 years ago
I prune mine typically just as they are leafing out. If you prune now in your warmer zone, they may still bloom but later.
dirtdigger_2006
16 years ago
My Lady in Red is in bloom now as well - it it beautiful - it has red/magenta/blue lace caps and for my first year planted I am very happy. I have a small Limelight from Bluestone and I don't expect much from it this year. Good thing I planted it in part sun/shade from what I've heard here.

Related Stories

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Hydrangea Arborescens Illuminates Garden Borders and Paths

By Curtis Adams

This long-blooming eastern North American native shrub finds a home in landscapes around the world

FLOWERS Why You Should Give Hydrangeas a Place in Your Yard

By Laura Gaskill

The exuberant mop-headed beauties evoke dreams of an endless summer by the sea

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Have a Ball With Hydrangeas

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Even if you don't tinker with the hue by changing the soil, hydrangeas have an entertaining range of uses in all kinds of landscapes

MOST POPULAR 20 Ways to Work White Magic in Your Yard

By Paintbox Garden

Create enchanting outdoor spots with fresh white fences, florals and furniture

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING The 3 Ingredients of a Magical Night Garden

Conjure an enchanting scene with luminous plants and lighting that evokes just the right level of landscape mystery

PLANTING IDEAS 8 Sumptuous Shade Garden Plant Combinations

By Olander Garden Design

Enjoy these plant combinations made for spots with varying levels of shade and different garden zones

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy

WINTER GARDENING California Gardener's January Checklist

Winter-defying blooms and pruning saws earn a cheer, while California-focused gardening design books get a well-deserved shout-out

FALL GARDENING 6 Deer-Resistant Flowering Vines to Plant This Fall

Have a major deer problem? Here are some of the only vines that have a chance of not being eaten

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Green-Only Gardens Draw the Eye and Soothe the Spirit

Use plant and foliage variety to create a monochromatic landscape as visually pleasing as it is calming

Sponsored

More Discussions

Transplanting Hydrangea

0

Is Magical Revolution the same as Everlasting Revolution?

3

Need info on Hydrangea Delft Blue

5

Hydrangeas Pruning?

2

What are your favorite companion plants for hydrangeas?

0