Panicle Hydrangea, Tree Hydrangea 'Limelight' (Hydrangea paniculata)

Panicle Hydrangea, Tree Hydrangea 'Limelight'
Hydrangea paniculata

For size comparison, note the 4" wide fence post (right side) immediately behind the bloom!

Beautiful picture! I have a question, mainly because I grow a variety of hydrangea to dry and am thinking of getting this cultivar. What is the final color of the blossoms when they start to dry - white or lime green? The reason I ask is that most PG's turn rosy, some with green undertones, at which point I cut them (they get a papery feel). They will hold that color when dry for about 6 - 9 months and then fade to an antique white.

Thank you so much for the compliment! I think the color will depend on temperature and the amount of sunlight it gets. I live in Charleston, SC where the plant is exposed to temps consistently in the upper 90's F for months. My plant is also getting 2-3 hours of direct sunlight a day. As a result, mine varies from light lime to off-white. It is supposed to turn the rosey color you mentioned. Mine gets lightly "dappled" with the rosey hue but does not turn completely. I have read that hight temps and direct sunlight may cause the blooms to "brown" before they have the chance to turn red. (Note that I also have Homigo which is supposed to turn rosey but does not.) I see that you live in New York. I think the plant would be more likely to turn rosey in your location. Here is a picture of some blooms that I cut and brought inside to cheer me during my convalesence after knee surgery. Note that they have the dappled rosey hue; they are now dry and look the same. Sheryl

Ouch...sorry about the knee! Thanks for the info! Yes, the colors would probably be more pronounced up here - we don't have a problem with too much sun. Sometimes, I wish we did - those sunless days can get to you when you get a string of them!

I was trying to make up my mind between getting a "Limelight" and a "Unique" hydrangea. I cut blossoms from a Unique that is owned by a friend here and marvel at their size and color, but I'll probably be gone by the time my bush gets as big as hers - it's a tree!

I'd get one of each and "delete" lawn to make room. :-)

All of the "official" photos of Limelight show some blooms that are a color between deep rose and rust. I just think that the sweltering sun and heat here sap all of the energy from the blooms before they can get to the rosey stage. As for size/growth, Limelight has grown faster than any of my Hydrangeas (over a dozen, lost count). When I planted it late Summer of 2003, it was in a 1 qt pot and was about 12" high. This summer it was some 5' wide and the blooms were just a few inches from the top of the 6' privacy fence. The blooms are 10-12" in diameter and high. It is an awesome sight and the blooms last for quite a long time. BTW, I think the lime flowers would look awesome beside anything red. Wish that I could help with the decision, but I have never seen Unique. Sheryl

Thanks Sheryl,
Maybe I will get both! ;o) I don't think Unique grows all that quickly. I've got a spot where I have a dying Japanese Maple - will probably be gone next spring the way it's going. Maybe I'll put the limelight there. It would get full sun, but then it's "Ithaca" sun, which means it's sunny about 40% of the time!