Plant Record

'Limelight'
Hardy Hydrangea

Cultural/Growing Information

pH: B (5.8 - 6.2)

EC (2:1 Extraction Method): C (1 - 2)

Fertilization Recommendations: M-H (150-300 ppm)

Rooting Out: A (65-72°F or 18-22°C)

Growing On: A (60-65°F or 16-18°C)

Holding Temperature: A (40-50°F or 4-10°C)

Light Levels: Moderate to High

Water Requirements: Moist to Wet

Pinching/Growth Regulators: Flowers continuously from July until frost. A light pinch after flowering will result in fresh terminals 6-8 weeks later. NOTE: If you hard prune after mid summer flowers will be delayed until the end of September.

Pest and Disease Management: Aphids, Leaf Spot, Spider Mites

Special Notes: NOTE: Even though Limelight is a REBLOOMER if you hard prune in mid summer flowers will be delayed until the end of September. Versus a light pinch which will produce flowers by early September. Try staging your crop and have 3-4 blocks pinching a block every 2 weeks.

Vernalization: Required

Spring Outdoor Finish?: N - Do not finish outside

Over wintering Temperature (Zones 2-7): polyhouse - all others

Shade Requirements: None, Full Sun

Heat Zone (high to low): 8-1

Type: Deciduous

Flowers On: New Wood

Planting & Timing Information (Nursery): Spring to Fall, 1 ppp

Planting & Timing Information (Greenhouse): Spring to Fall Finish, 1 ppp

1 GL or 8"/ 50 tray (Greenhouse): 12-18 weeks, 2-3 pinches (green plant)

1GL or 8"/ 2.25" (Greenhouse): 6-10 weeks, sold green (will bloom with an additional 6-8 weeks after final soft pinch)

1 GL or 8"/ 2.25" - Pinch (Nursery) 6-8 weeks, 2 pinches

1 GL or 8"/ 2.25" - Shear (Nursery) 8-10 weeks, 2 shears

1 GL or 8" / Quick Turn - Pinch (5" liner) (Nursery): 4-6 weeks, 1 pinch

1 GL or 8" / Quick Turn - Shear (5" liner) (Nursery) 4-6 weeks, 1 shear

2 GL / 2.25" - Pinch (Nursery): 8-10 weeks, 2-3 pinches

2 GL / 2.25" - Shear (Nursery): 12-16 weeks, 2-3 shears

3 GL / 2.25" - Pinch (Nursery): 14-16 weeks, 3-4 pinches

3 GL / 2.25" - Shear (Nursery): 16-20 weeks, 3-4 shears

3 GL / Quick Turn - Pinch (5" liner) (Nursery): 10-12 weeks, 3-4 pinches

3 GL / Quick Turn - Shear (5" liner) (Nursery): 12-16 weeks, 3-4 shears

3 GL / 1 gallon shift - Pinch (Nursery): 6-8 weeks, 2-3 pinches

3 GL / 1 gallon shift - Shear (Nursery): 8-12 weeks, 2-3 shears

5 GL / 1 gallon shift - Pinch (Nursery): 10-14 weeks, 3-4

5 GL / 1 gallon shift - Shear (Nursery): 16-20 weeks, 3-4 shears

'Limelight'
Hardy Hydrangea

General Information

Description
An exciting hardy Hydrangea from Holland, 'Limelight' has unique bright chartreuse blooms in mid-summer that hold bright and refreshing color right into autumn when the blooms change color to a rich deep pink. The autumn display of chartreuse and pink blooms on the same plant is breathtaking! The color makes a great addition to the garden and it blends wonderfully with all other colors. Use 'Limelight', either fresh or dried, in bouquets to make a unique floral design. This is an easy to grow plant with reliable flowering and flower color regardless of soil pH. The flower heads are of good size, ranging from 6 to 12 inches and are held upright on the shrub. The blooms are well distributed making a very nice plant and display.

Consumer Comments:
This Hydrangea is a show stopper: right now, first four months in the ground, full, full sun, lots of fresh air, it is blooming like mad: big, fat beautiful creamy, to bright white elongated blooms. They are sturdy blooms, and take a good wind. They don't collapse. It has doubled in size since April, and I'm looking forward to all the color changes it will go through. The shape of the plant is graceful and strong. It's a garden high-light. The Limelight I planted last year is equally fantastic, and it's in part shade. Last year the blooms got so big and the color changes were so amazing to see, you couldn't believe all that beauty on one plant. Because of that one plant, I went out and got three more.

A great looking plant! PLENTY of flowers and it tripled in size the first year we put it in the garden. We went out and bought three more.
Barry, MI

Growing Tips
Prefers good, loamy soil. Most adaptable of all hydrangeas to different soil types. Most urban tolerant and very difficult to kill. Best if pruned back in late fall or early spring. Blooms on new wood. Make sure to prune off spent flowers when they turn brown. Prefers medium moisture, not as water dependent as Hydrangea macrophylla. Will tolerate drought. Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees and shrubs. Follow the label for the recommended rate of application.

Exposure
Plant in sun or partial shade

Height
72-96"

Spacing
84-96"

Hardy Temp
-40°F (-40°C)

Zone(s)
3

Uses
Good in groupings and masses, in perennial and shrub borders, as a speciment, screen, or hedge. Good in containers, mixed containers, and as a cut flower.

Features
Reliable, soft green summer flowers change to pink in fall. Prune back in late winter/early spring. Great for cuts. Blooms every year. Soil pH does not affect bloom color.

Patent:
Hydrangea LIMELIGHT 'Limelight' PP12874 Patented; 2319 Patented

There are no other plants in this series

Awards Won

2010 - Plant of Merit
  -University of Georgia
2009 - Knock Your Socks Off
  -University of Georgia
2008 - Award of Garden Merit
  -Royal Horticulture Society at Wisley Gardens
2007 - Fresh Cut Flower of the Year
  -Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers
2007 - Knock Your Socks Off
  -University of Georgia
2007 - Way Hot 100
  -Garden Design
2006 - Gold Medal Plant
  -Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
2005 - Way Hot 100
  -Garden Design