Overview
Uses: Low hedges, mass plantings, mixed borders, outdoor containers, and cut flower gardens.
Benefits: A compact version of Limelight with the same lime-green blooms that age to white and blush pink in fall. Blooms on new wood and is very cold hardy.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — compact and sturdy.
Bloom Color: Green to White to Pink
Mature Height: 3–5 feet
Mature Width: 3–5 feet
Bloom Season: Summer to fall
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
All the color of Limelight, sized for the front of the house.
Limelight is one of the most widely planted hydrangeas in the country, but at six to eight feet it outgrows a lot of yards. Little Lime® is its compact relative, topping out around three to five feet tall and wide, so it fits under windows, along walks, and in large patio pots.
The flower show follows the same pattern. Cone-shaped blooms open lime green in midsummer, brighten to white, and then take on pink tones as nights cool in fall. On a smaller plant the blooms sit closer to eye level, where the color change is easy to follow.
It flowers on new wood, so it blooms dependably even in very cold climates, and like other panicle hydrangeas it takes more sun than bigleaf types. Cut a few stems for the table in summer, or let the heads dry on the plant for winter interest.
Care
Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Panicle hydrangeas are the most sun-tolerant hydrangeas; in the hottest regions, a little afternoon shade helps.
Any average, well-drained garden soil works. Panicle hydrangea flower color does not depend on soil pH, so there is no need to amend the soil for color.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first season. Once established, water during extended dry spells. Mulch keeps the roots cool and moist.
Feed with a slow release fertilizer in early spring.
Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Cutting the stems back by about one-third encourages strong, well-branched growth. Since it blooms on new wood, spring pruning does not remove the season’s flowers.
Growing in Containers
Little Lime® is compact enough for a large container. Choose a pot with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check moisture often in summer, and feed lightly each spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients from the mix. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea for Sale Online?
Our Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea Grow?
Expect about 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, rounded shape. Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart for a low flowering hedge.
Additional Information
What is the botanical name of Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea?
The botanical name is Hydrangea paniculata Little Lime® ‘Jane’. It is a Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrub.
What are some common names for this plant?
It is most often called panicle hydrangea, and panicle types are also sold under the older name peegee hydrangea.
How is it different from Limelight?
The flowers are the same lime-green color and age the same way, to white and then pink in fall. The difference is size: Limelight grows six to eight feet tall and wide, while Little Lime® stays around three to five feet. Choose Little Lime® for foundation beds, low hedges, and containers, and Limelight where you want a larger flowering screen. Compare more in our Shrubs & Bushes.
Does soil pH change the flower color?
No. Unlike bigleaf hydrangeas, panicle hydrangeas do not turn blue or pink based on soil pH. The shift from lime to white to pink comes from the flowers aging and from cooler fall nights, so it happens in almost any garden soil.
