How To Grow Big Beautiful Limelight Hydrangeas

Excited to talk about how to grow Limelight Hydrangeas today!

And, how to get those big, beautiful blooms.

big beautiful limelight hydrangeas
Photo of our beautiful garden in full sun, from last year.

How To Grow Limelight Hydrangeas


Limelight Hydrangeas (also known as Peegee Hydrangeas, Hardy Hydrangeas and Panicle Hydrangeas) are perfect for gardeners of all levels.

In fact, planting and growing these beautiful flowers is so easy.

You basically just need sunlight and moist soil to yield beautiful large flowers.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to grow and care for your Limelight Hydrangeas.

boxwoods hydrangea and ivy with window

When should Limelight Hydrangeas be planted?


Because Limelights are a deciduous shrub, the best time of the year to plant Limelight Hydrangeas is in the spring or early summer.

The warmer climates have a larger window for planting, this can include fall and early winter.

These Hydrangeas are at their best during the summertime, so it’s key to make sure they have plenty of growth time. 

Where should Limelight Hydrangeas be planted? 


Choose an area in your garden that gets plenty of sunlight (ideally morning sun and/or at least 6 hours of sun during the day.)

Make sure the shrubs are planted at least 7 to 8 feet apart in your garden design in order to give them enough room to grow. 

It’s a good idea to give the base of the plant a thick layer of mulch.

This will help retain soil moisture.

If you live in an area which has very hot summers, partial shade for these plants is good idea.

white and green hardy limelight hydrangeas with boxwoods
Complete love affair with these soft lime and green flowers.

What type of soil should I use to plant and grow Limelight Hydrangeas?


Limelight Hydrangeas can be grown in almost any soil.

Unlike other types of Hydrangeas, the color of the flowers won’t be affected by the soil composition or soil pH levels.

However, it’s important to plant your shrub in the right location, which means moist soil which has been properly drained.

Soggy soil can lead to root rot and bacterial wilt which affects this popular shrub’s overall health.

You want to retain the soil’s moisture and protect the roots from freezing winter conditions.

To do this you need to add a layer of mulch after planting.

In addition, we’ve had great success with slow release fertilizer, a good choice recommended by our local nursery.

How often should Limelight Hydrangeas be watered?


During the first year of planting, make sure the soil is always properly watered.

Depending on the climate and type of soil, you may need to water your Limelight Hydrangea at least 2-3 times a week.

Once established, the plants are tolerant of dry soil but do prefer some moisture.

white fence and white hydrangeas
White blooms from our previous home. These were grown in almost full shade.

How do I prune Limelight Hydrangeas?


When pruning your Limelight Hydrangea, cut off about 1/3 of the total height of the shrub.

Avoid cutting off any of the flower buds, but make sure you snip off any sick or dead branches on a regular basis to maintain a healthy appearance.

These shrubs have strong stems, so a good, sharp set of pruning shears is a must.

Prune your Limelight Hydrangea either in the late winter or early spring to give it enough time for the new growth to emerge on these branches known as new wood.

As these blooms age, they get better and better with each growing season.

cut hydrangeas in blue and white jar
Speaking of pruning, I had to include at least one photo of these lovely blooms in my kitchen! I snipped off the green leaves, but they still look perfect. With a lot of water, these hydrangea blooms will last for quite some time.

What plants go well with Limelight Hydrangeas?

Other varieties of hydrangeas work great as they need similar care.

Boxwood and Holly bushes are also proven winners in the garden with Limelight Hydrangeas.

hydrangeas in early fall
Hydrangeas blooms in flower clusters taken in late July, last year. Love how these flower heads change color!

Even more ideas on sprucing up your outdoor space:

How to choose the best ivy for your walls.

The Best White Exterior House Paint Colors.

Adding a Fresh Lavender Tree To Your Home.

How to Grow Big Beautiful Blue Endless Summer Hydrangeas.

The Best Looking Door Knockers.

A round up of beautiful flower pots and planters.

Our Smokeless Backyard Firepit Review.

Container plants and garden inspiration.

SHOP PRODUCTS TO GROW LIMELIGHT HYDRANGEAS HERE:

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2 Comments

  1. Kim wrote:

    The deer eat every leaf what can I do

    Published on 8.12.22 · Reply
    • Sue De Chiara wrote:

      I believe there are deer repellent sprays you can purchase. We have our entire property fenced off because of this problem, and because I’m so worried about Lyme disease.

      Published on 8.14.22 · Reply