Limelight Hydrangea is an award winning shrub. This beautiful paniculata hydrangea has very large flowers that are held upright by strong stems. The Limelight Hydrangea flowers will start off lime green color, which is a perfect accent for hot summer days. As the blooms age, they turn to hues of cream, pink, red and burgundy. The fall color is just beautiful as these cone-shaped flowers last longer than most any other plant in the garden. These are perfect for cut flower arrangements, either fresh or dried. The plant does like moisture, but cannot tolerate soggy conditions or “wet feet”. Planting in well-drained soil is more important than the type of soil. This shrub is widely adaptable to most soil types, as long as it does not get root rot. Limelight Hydrangeas perform best in locations that get full sun or at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. In warmer climates, it is best to provide afternoon shade. In colder climates, the more sun the plant gets the better. To prune the Limelight Hydrangea, simply cut off ? of the total height of the shrub. Prune your Limelight in late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges. Because this shrub blooms on new wood, you do not want to potentially cut off any flower buds for the upcoming season. You can also trim off any dead or sick branches during the year as needed. Pruning this shrub helps the plant grow a strong base with upright branches that are strong enough to hold all of the large flower heads. It also encourages the plant to put more energy towards growing flowers. To fertilise, apply a slow release (or controlled release) general fertiliser designed for woody plants such as roses or trees. Apply in early spring before new growth starts to emerge.
