Panicle Hydrangea, Tree Hydrangea 'Limelight'

Hydrangeapaniculata

Family
Hydrangeaceae (hy-drain-jee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Hydrangea (hy-DRAIN-juh)
Species
paniculata (pan-ick-yoo-LAY-tuh)
Synonym
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Sun Exposure
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom Color
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Time
Rose/Mauve
Pale Green
Foliage
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Other details
Deciduous
Propagation Methods
Seed Collecting
From softwood cuttings
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Water Requirements
Where to Grow
Shrubs
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Anniston, Alabama

Vincent, Alabama

Wetumpka, Alabama

Judsonia, Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas

El Dorado Hills, California

Susanville, California

Littleton, Colorado

Marietta, Georgia

Norcross, Georgia

Ashkum, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Litchfield, Illinois

Plainfield, Illinois

Saint Charles, Illinois

Westmont, Illinois

South Amana, Iowa

West Des Moines, Iowa

Narka, Kansas

Louisville, Kentucky

Russell, Kentucky

Folsom, Louisiana

Cockeysville, Maryland

Frederick, Maryland

Silver Spring, Maryland

Mashpee, Massachusetts

Middleton, Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts

Springfield, Massachusetts

Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Hillsdale, Michigan

Holland, Michigan

Laingsburg, Michigan

Lansing, Michigan

Oxford, Michigan

Spring Lake, Michigan

Trout Creek, Michigan

Longville, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Wyoming, Minnesota

Madison, Mississippi

Natchez, Mississippi

Seminary, Mississippi

Lees Summit, Missouri

Carson City, Nevada

Manchester, New Hampshire

Bedminster, New Jersey

Mays Landing, New Jersey

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Bayside, New York

Clinton Corners, New York

Colden, New York

Croton On Hudson, New York

Elba, New York

Indian Lake, New York

Manorville, New York

New York City, New York

Rochester, New York(2 reports)

Southold, New York

Candler, North Carolina

Greenville, North Carolina

Morehead City, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Jamestown, North Dakota

Pekin, North Dakota

Cincinnati, Ohio

Defiance, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Streetsboro, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Eugene, Oregon

Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Sarver, Pennsylvania

Bristol, Rhode Island

Lincoln, Rhode Island

North Smithfield, Rhode Island

Bluffton, South Carolina

Chapin, South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina

Lamar, South Carolina

North Augusta, South Carolina

Pickens, South Carolina

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Pierre, South Dakota

Knoxville, Tennessee(2 reports)

Lancing, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee

Sweetwater, Tennessee

Quitman, Texas

Middlebury, Vermont

Alexandria, Virginia

Arlington, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia

Clarksville, Virginia

Disputanta, Virginia

Linden, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia(2 reports)

Urbanna, Virginia

Buckley, Washington

Lake Forest Park, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Medford, Wisconsin

Menasha, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

17
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
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A
Narka, KS | August 2016 | positive

I planted four Limelights three years ago, zone 5b in north central Kansas. They've taken some time to establish themselves, but this yea...Read More

R
Downingtown, PA | August 2015 | negative

This cultivar is relatively new on the market and is very popular in southeast PA and many other regions. My negativity towards this is t...Read More

S
Penn Hills, PA | June 2015 | positive

I have both a mature shrub and tree. Both are absolute showstoppers in August, producing flower heads as large as human heads! The colora...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | April 2015 | positive

This is the most popular cultivar of H. paniculata, a tough, easy, vigorous, fast-growing, adaptable species. Like the species, it has mu...Read More

D
D
Rochester, NY | July 2014 | neutral

I purchased this tree late last summer- it was in full bloom and was beautiful- this year, however, nothing has bloomed- the tree is fu...Read More

N
Bayside, NY (Zone 7a) | June 2012 | positive

I planted a 5' tall grafted, heavily pruned, dormant, tree-form "Limelight" in April 2012. It leafed out immediately and is now forming ...Read More

P
P
(Arlene) Southold, NY (Zone 7a) | October 2011 | positive

Easy to propagate from layering.

M
Saint Louis, MO (Zone 6b) | September 2010 | positive

Planted this March while still dormant, this was my Limelight's first season. It was entrancing from the start... First, the chartreuse ...Read More

K
K
Alexandria, VA (Zone 7a) | April 2010 | positive

Nice plant. I had to moved it to more sun because it was not doing to well in the shade for me. I planted it in full sun and it has done ...Read More

J
Oklahoma City, OK | April 2010 | positive

I work part time in a local nursery that has served several generations of excellent gardeners. Since its first year of introduction, th...Read More

R
Middleton, MA | August 2006 | positive

Had great success this being the second yr...been supplying the neighbors with flowers.

S
Richmond, VA | August 2006 | neutral

Ehhhh! That pretty much sums up this plant. Though it doesn't stand out, it won't go unnoticed in the garden. I would describe mine as...Read More

B
Appleton, WI (Zone 5a) | November 2005 | positive

Very nice form and color, easy to grow - why wouldn't you own one?

Z
Z
Jackson, MS (Zone 8b) | October 2005 | positive

Has bloomed here in central MS in partial shade. Have trouble with the regular peegee, but this one does bloom here. Very light green t...Read More

P
Medford, WI | August 2005 | positive

does well despite our cold winters

A
North Augusta, SC (Zone 8a) | July 2005 | positive

This hydrangea didn't come out as green as I had hoped, but the blooms are huge and plentiful. Fast grower and so far disease and pest fr...Read More

B
| April 2005 | positive

I purchased Limelight spring 2004,and am really impressed. It bloomed all summer in my zone 3 garden, the color was the most beautiful sh...Read More

L
Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) | December 2004 | positive

Information from both "Hydrangeas for American Gardens," by Michael A. Dirr (2004) and "Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas" C.J. and D.M. Van Gel...Read More

D
Charleston, SC (Zone 9a) | November 2004 | positive

In my Zone 8b garden, the color ranges from faded green to off-white. The color is not as bright as I had hoped. However, on the plus s...Read More

D
D
Dea
Frederick, MD (Zone 6a) | July 2004 | positive

The blooms are lime in color and then soften to an off-white/white as they progress.

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