Professional Growing Information 
I pre-ordered three Limelight Prime hydrangeas (quart size) in the winter of 2022 and they were delivered in early May of 2023. Being new to gardening I was excited to see my hydrangeas grow from baby shrubs to their full glory. The shrubs leafed out beautifully and grew fast, but became very leggy. They bloomed profusely, but because they were leggy, the branches flopped under the weight of the big blooms, especially after a rain. This surprised me as the Prime was supposed to be sturdier than the original Limelight so I was a little concerned and disappointed. However, I was not disappointed in the blooms! The flowers were large and the color was as described – beautiful lime, turning creamy white, and then turning dark pink/light burgundy in the fall. (In zone 8a, our nights are not cold enough for the blooms to turn deep burgundy.) One afternoon in the winter of 2023, I was watching The Gardening Simplified YouTube channel and the hosts mentioned that when you buy a shrub in the quart size, you are essentially taking on the job of the grower, and performing the required pruning of the baby plant, slowing it’s growth to allow the plant time to create a strong structure (paraphrasing). I wish that information had been provided on the PW website when I placed my order. It would have been very helpful to a new gardener! In early March of 2024, I pruned the shrubs back to about 1/3 their size and they came back big and beautiful with very sturdy branches. In summation, I am thrilled with my Limelight Prime hydrangeas and I am confident that their new strong structure will support the beautiful blooms for years to come!
Limelight Prime® Panicle Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata
- Part Sun to Sun
- Sun
- Summer
- Fall
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Details
48 - 72 Inches48 - 60 Inches48 - 60 Inches1.2m - 1.8m1.2m - 1.5m1.2m - 1.5mFeatures
The next generation of 'Limelight' is here! Introducing Limelight Prime® hydrangea.
In a very short time, Limelight hydrangea became one of the most popular plants ever - but that doesn't mean that there wasn't room for improvement. So we've spent years developing this new selection that does everything better than the original, from bud to bloom and beyond. Here's how Limelight Prime hydrangea is different:
- blooms much earlier, creating a longer display. This is especially valuable in colder climates, where 'Limelight' might not bloom until late August.
- bolder, brighter color. As the green blooms age, they develop pink and red tones that are far more vivid and showy than conventional panicle hydrangeas.
- stronger stems. Though strong stems is a crucially important factor in the panicle hydrangeas we select for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs, you can count on Limelight Prime to hold its big blooms up all summer long.
- useful smaller size. Limelight Prime reaches a very garden- and landscape-friendly 4-6'/1.2-1.8m tall and 4-5'/1.2-1.5m wide.
What's the same? You can count on Limelight Prime hydrangea to produce dozens of big, beautiful, mophead blooms every year, even in cold climates. It also makes a fantastic cut flower, both fresh and dried. And it's still one of the easiest to grow, most rewarding hydrangeas you can plant.
Limelight Prime hydrangea will be available in better garden centers beginning spring 2021; click here for a list of retailers.
Long BloomingFall InterestDeadheading Not NecessaryCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:DeciduousHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:48 - 72 Inches 1.2m - 1.8mSpacing:48 - 60 Inches 1.2m - 1.5mSpread:48 - 60 Inches 1.2m - 1.5mFlower Colors:GreenFlower Colors:PinkFlower Colors:RedFlower Shade:Green, turning bright pink and red shades in fallFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:GreenHabit:UprightContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:New WoodBloom Time:Early SummerBloom Time:Mid SummerBloom Time:Late SummerHardiness Zones:3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8bWater Category:AverageNeeds Good DrainageSoil Fertility Requirement:Average SoilSoil PH Category:Acidic SoilSoil PH Category:Alkaline SoilSoil PH Category:Neutral SoilUses:Border PlantUses:ContainerUses:Cut FlowerUses:Dried FlowerUses:Good for ScreeningUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:Limelight Prime hydrangea is an excellent choice for a commanding specimen or flowering hedge. It's also nice as a backdrop for a garden, or as the centerpiece of a perennial or flower garden.
Maintenance Notes:Prune by cutting back the main branches by one-third in late winter or early spring. You may also prune in late fall, once it has gone completely dormant, if desired - you'll find more information in our Ultimate Guide to Panicle Hydrangeas.
Panicle hydrangeas require well-drained soil. As such, we do not recommend amending the soil when you plant them, as explained here.
Fertilize in early spring (just as the ground begins to thaw in cold climates) if desired, using a granular rose fertilizer. You may fertilize monthly through late July for more rapid growth, but this is not necessary for a healthy, abundantly-blooming plant.
Limelight Prime® Hydrangea paniculata 'SMNHPPH' USPP 32,511, Can PBRAF -
4 Reviews
544321Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
Barbara, North Carolina, United States, 27 weeks ago
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Gorgeous Plant. I have it in a large container and this is its second year - now about 3 feet tall and wide. Covered in deep pink blooms, it makes me happy every time I go outside.
Bonnie Lynn, New Jersey, United States, 2 years ago -
Beautiful. Getting established and already reliably flowering. Bit more compact then Limelight which is useful. Another winner!
CarolinaGuy, North Carolina, United States, 3 years ago -
Outstanding
Andrew J Nanoff, California, United States, 3 years ago
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