I don't know where you are, but it is a plant that loses its leaves in the fall so it would seem natural for it to not look as nice now as when you planted it unless you are in the southern hemisphere. A photo might help, however. You can try to add a photo in a followup in this thread, or I often find I can add a photo if I edit the original post.

Here's how to add your zone and location to your profile so that it posts automatically and folks don't have to ask:

Go to Your Houzz in upper right of every page, click Edit Profile, and on the left side click advanced settings. Well down the advanced settings page is a blank labeled Climate Zone for Garden Forums along with a link to find your zone.

If you add info on your state or the nearest large city you will get even better information since zone only relates to average coldest winter temperatures.

Then return to the top of the page and click Done Editing.

Success! Here is a picture of my limelight hydrangea and I'm in Jacksonville, FL.

Hopefully someone who has experience growing Hydrangeas in warm zones will have advice for you.

This time of the year and because the weather has been unusually warm, I continue watering them somewhat normally to provide about 1" of rain per week as my bushes' leaves are a nice lush dark green. That probably equates to 1 gallon of water a week or every 2 weeks. This must be latest ever before they go dormant; normal would be some time in late Nov or early-to-mid Dec.

How is your hydrangea doing? I just planted a bunch of these as a hedge and they are looking fabulous, just following others with problems regarding this hydrangea in case I ever need it :)

I "need" a beautiful shrub that will be planted in a prominent location in my backyard. Pruning gets harder as I get older. I am also considering a Viburnum, but do love the hydrangea flowers. The location is in full sun and I am considering a limelight hydrangea. My Endless Summer has been wilting everyday this very hot summer. Will Limelight have the same problem?

Mopheads tend to have this problems because their leaves are so large that they loose moisture faster than the roots can absorb them. This is common (a) on the first few years before they develop a larger root system, or (b) in any unusually warm, windy or dry summer month(s). Once established, this problem should be reduced provided it is not very dry/hot/windy or you forget to water.

As such, Limelight -with smaller leaves- will not wilt as much. But I am not saying it will never wilt; it still could wilt (a) in the first summer if its root system is small, (b) if it does not get enough water or if it does not rain enough, (c) if it is very windy or very warm. Once established, it should be a great shrub. Most people in the northern states do not post to report this problem with Limelight.

Keep both well mulched all year around.

Thank you - that information is a great help.

vivien23, I don't grow Hydrangea paniculata Limelight, but I have a few other cultivars of Hydrangea paniculata: Quickfire, Pinky Winky, Fire and Ice,and Dharuma, all of which are growing in beds that are in full sun but rarely if ever get any supplemental moisture. I haven't seen any of them wilt ever, even this summer when the weather was dry enough to have watering restrictions, something unusual here, but I am in a cooler zone than you are. Mine are well-mulched and as Luis mentioned, you will have to water it the first season or two until it is well-established. H. paniculatas are a great plant for not pruning, though if the dead flower heads bother you, you may want to remove them in the spring before bud break. However, if you don't want to prune, be sure to give it plenty of room, which for Limelight is at least 8' in all directions.

Babs - also great information. Which of your hydrangeas do you like best? I'd be happier with a plant smaller than Limelight. Its location will be about 20 ft from the house and will be an accent plant summer and winter.

I love Quickfire which gets to be about 6' in all directions, but it probably isn't to everyone's taste. Some folks like the large densely packed panicles of Limelight, but I love QF's lacy flowers, long bloom season (last week in June until hard freeze here, several weeks longer than PW or Limelight), and rich pink fall color. Fire & Ice and Dharuma are still smaller plants in their first year in the garden, so I don't have enough information on them.