Hydrangea limelight

general characteristics

The history of this shrub is quite curious: in the 18th century, the French scientist Philibert Commerson, who gave the name to the flowers - Hydrangea, accidentally discovered bushes with huge white flowers in Japan.

The plant belongs to the Hortensia family. Currently, there are about 80 species, which also include the Paniculata subspecies.

Hydrangea paniculata "Limelight" also has the following names: Hydrangea, Hydrangea Limelight, Hydrangea green or lemon.

This variety was bred by breeders - botanists from Holland and has several international awards: in 2006 Limelight was awarded by the Pennsylvania Society of Gardeners (USA), and in 2008 already a prize-winner of the Royal Society of Gardeners of Great Britain.

Advantages and description of the variety

This shrub has a number of advantages that truly make it a favorite for home gardens. It looks great as a hedge and just as a stand-alone unit in any flower bed.

• Hydrangea Limelight grows rather quickly, has a large and wide crown. The height of the bush often reaches several meters, and sometimes three. The same plant and diameter.
• A distinctive feature is very strong stems and shoots. The plant absolutely does not need various kinds of props.
• The sheets are small, dark green in color. Lush whitish-lemon large inflorescences look advantageous against the background of greenery. Hydrangea blooms all summer and changes color in autumn.
• Hydrangea grows about 25 cm per year with proper care.
• The leaves are dark and green, the shape is elongated, with pointed ends and along the edge with fine teeth.
• Inflorescences are large, white or whitish-yellow, acquire a pinkish tone by autumn.
• The stems are very strong, dark brown in color, slightly pubescent. Shoots are straight and extend upward.

Experienced gardeners note this feature of the bush: growing in the shade or partial shade has a lime-colored flowering, and those that grow in the open sun delight the eye with lush white cone-shaped inflorescences reaching a length of up to 25 cm.

The plant blooms until the end of September, but if planted in a quiet, windless place, where there are also no drafts, it can maintain flowering until the second half of October.

Hydrangea "little lime": description

Today it is one of the most demanded and favorite varieties. The plant is distinguished by abundant and long flowering and can be a wonderful decoration of the garden from July to September. It has low compact bushes about 1.2 meters high. The stems are quite tough, strong, erect, do not require the use of additional supports during flowering. In front of you in the photo is a Little Lime hydrangea. The photo proves once again: she is the undisputed favorite of the season. Dense inflorescences in the form of hemispheres of a yellowish-lemon shade turn white over time, and at the end of summer they turn tender and "burn" against the background of dark green jagged foliage. The Little Lime Hydrangea is a dwarf hybrid of its famous cousin, the Limelight Paniculata.

Ideal growing conditions are considered partial shade and acidic loose soil with regular watering and feeding. The plant perfectly tolerates cold and frost, and in the spring requires formative pruning. This promotes abundant and long-lasting flowering in the summer.

Experienced gardeners say that there are never too many hydrangeas. It is worth trying just once - and this beauty will take over your heart forever. Many people joke: always go shopping with an empty trunk in order to buy as many of them as possible! And so many times.

Panicle hydrangea is one of the four most popular species cultivated in Russia. Hydrangea paniculata got its name from the shape of the flower. It is a variegated "panicle" at the very end of the branch, which is shrouded in large leaves of various shapes. Indoor Hydrangea Care Guide.

The flowers of hydrangea paniculate are flat in shape, and across are about 15 centimeters. The length of one panicle is 35 centimeters, and it is 20 centimeters in diameter.

The foliage of the panicle hydrangea is:

• Velvety;
• Serrated;
• Serrated;
• Broadly ovate;
• Chereshkova;

In terms of saturation and brightness of color, the foliage is located from top to bottom, from the brightest to the palest at the foot. The maximum length of a hydrangea leaf is 12 centimeters.

The difference between hydrangea paniculata and tree-like

The two leading types of garden hydrangeas are the tree hydrangea and the panicle hydrangea. Both plants have a lot of positive qualities, but they also have disadvantages:

1. Treelike hydrangea is a typical shrub, unlike its paniculate counterpart, which is more like a small tree in shape, often multi-stemmed and less often a single-stemmed plant.
2. Panicle hydrangea tolerates low temperatures well. Young shoots of panicle hydrangea are gaining strength by autumn and are completely covered with "bark", for this reason, even they are not afraid of Russian frost. The same cannot be said about the tree hydrangea. In winter, all young shoots freeze in her, because they do not have time to get stronger. And the next year, fresh shoots are released again and bloom in the same color. If you cover this species under the snow, then next year the shrub will be filled with strength and will again continue on its way to the sun's rays.

Both species have a wide range of colors, anyone can choose the plant that they like. And it will be a great addition to the natural ensemble in the garden.

Hydrangea paniculata, varieties with photos

Everyone who has a garden wants it to be beautiful and buys a variety of flowers. But sometimes there is a feeling that something is still missing and the flower garden needs a background. Ornamental shrubs are best for this. Maybe lilac or jasmine? Perfectly! Only, unfortunately, after flowering, these plants do not look presentable and frustrate with their dry inflorescences.

Is there a shrub that could please the eye during and after flowering? Of course there is! And this is an amazing hydrangea. Gardeners of Siberia love her very much. How to properly care for a plant to achieve rich color?

Hydrangea is a small tree with chic dense inflorescences. This shrub has become so popular due to the fact that it blooms not just beautifully, but very beautifully! Impossible to take your eyes off! She decorates the garden from mid-summer to late autumn.

Many consider the hydrangea to be a finicky plant, but we found out if this is really so and what types of hydrangeas even a novice amateur gardener can grow at home.

Care of panicle hydrangea "Lightlaym"

The plant is quite unpretentious, but there are still some requirements:

• Regular watering.
• Top dressing and fertilizers.
• Timely and competent pruning and formation of the bush.

Irrigation schedule

It is necessary to water the bushes depending on the air temperature: in the summer several times a week, in the off-season at least once every few weeks.

It is necessary to ensure that the soil is always moderately moist. Dry soil can rob shrubs of the lush flowering we expect.

Fertilizing and fertilizing hydrangeas

It is imperative to feed and fertilize the hydrangea. And it is worth starting at the end of spring, when the bush is in the stage of active growth. During this period, nitrogen-containing fertilizers or mullein infusion are suitable. The plant begins to prepare for the flowering stage and builds up its green mass well.

When the shrub begins to bloom, then phosphorus and potassium also need to be added. They contribute to the correct and rapid formation of inflorescences. You can also purchase special fertilizers for hydrangeas, which are purchased in specialized stores.

Pruning a bush

Hydrangea bushes are also formed by regular pruning of several types. Direct pruning to shape the bush is carried out in the spring, before flowering. Moreover, the old branches should not be touched, because buds will be tied on them. And only young shoots are removed.

Selected shoots are shortened by one or two thirds. Branches that grow inside the bush are also removed. With sanitary pruning, old and dry shoots and inflorescences are removed from the bush. The whole and healthy twigs are shortened by several buds.

Anti-aging pruning is carried out for old bushes. Sometimes the entire crown under the root system is completely removed. Often no more than 5 - 6 healthy shoots are left, which are cut into 4 - 5 buds. The remaining branches are removed.

Preparing for winter

Hydrangea is considered a plant that overwinters well even at high subzero temperatures. But young bushes should be protected from bad weather and cold for the first 2-3 years.

1. First, pruning of diseased and dry branches should be carried out.
2. Then the bush is carefully hilled and the soil is covered with dry grass or sawdust.
3. There is a method in which the branches are bent to the ground and fixed. Then fallen leaves or spruce branches are poured onto the bush. The top layer is roofing material.
4. The second method is to make a circle around the bush, which is filled with foliage over the entire area.

Bushes older than 3 years are not insulated. They already have enough strength to withstand bad weather and frost. If you support the seedlings in the first years of growth, then the hydrangea will not require special care later.

If you want to plant this plant in a recreation area, you will definitely not go wrong. Its wonderful white inflorescences are uplifting and pleasing to the eye. By following some recommendations and instructions, even a novice gardener will be able to decorate his flower garden with Limelight panicle hydrangea.

Limelight hydrangea care

Hydrangea cannot be called a capricious plant. It doesn't require a lot of attention, although some aspects are worth keeping in mind.

Watering mode

The shrub is hygrophilous, so in the hot months of summer you need to water it 2 times a week, based on a bucket per bush. In spring and autumn, the volume of water and the number of irrigations are significantly reduced - up to 1 time in 3 weeks.

Top dressing

It is necessary to apply fertilizers suitable for all types of hydrangeas once a month during the period of active growth. Do not neglect the instructions and dosages indicated on the package, as improperly applied substances can burn the roots and destroy the plant.

During flowering

When a plant pleases with its spectacular flowering, it needs to be hilled, loosened up the earth so that oxygen can penetrate into the soil, enriching it.

Dividing the bush

If it is not possible to water regularly, the area under the bush should be covered with a 10 cm layer of mulch, which will prevent moisture from evaporating quickly.

During the rest period

During the winter sleep period, the hydrangea does not need to be watered or fed. Limelight variety has an average winter hardiness. This means that the plant will endure any frost if it is previously covered with garden material, and the roots are mulched with a thick layer of straw or spruce branches.

Preparing for winter

Before wintering, the bush is examined for damaged shoots, they are cut off. The land around the bush needs to be loosened, the last abundant watering this season should be carried out, after which the soil should be covered and left until spring.

Having paid enough attention to the hydrangea when first planting on the site, you can enjoy the beauty of its flowering for several years in a row without putting in almost any effort. A beautifully trimmed and wildly blooming Limelight will become a source of pride even for a novice summer resident.

Planting and leaving

The best season to plant young hydrangeas is from late April to early May, as it is at this time that the weather becomes consistently warm with abundant, warm rainfall. Warmth, humidity and absence of exhausting heat are optimal conditions for successful adaptation of young shoots.

IMPORTANT. Young hydrangeas should not be planted in too large planting pits, since they have a superficial root system and deep pits can cause rotting of the trunk. When planting hydrangea bushes, one of their properties should be taken into account

It consists in the fact that representatives of the hydrangea family live for a very long time, and when planting, you need to determine a calm area for it, where in the next 15-20 years there will be no big construction or other changes that can disturb its root system

When planting hydrangea bushes, one property must be taken into account. It consists in the fact that representatives of the hydrangea family live for a very long time, and when planting, you need to determine a calm area for it, where in the next 15-20 years there will be no big construction or other changes that can disturb its root system.

Particular attention should be paid to the composition of the nutrient substrate in which you are going to plant the hydrangea. ATTENTION

Ideal soils for limelight hydrangeas are considered to be slightly acidic soils such as black soil and loam with a lot of fertilizers.

ATTENTION. Ideal soils for limelight hydrangeas are considered to be slightly acidified soils, such as chernozem and loam with a lot of fertilizers. Most often, a special top dressing is used for heathers, rhododendrons or azaleas.

Ash and nitrate fertilizers should be treated with caution, when using them, the frost resistance of the plant will decrease, and the turgor of the stems will decrease.

Most often, a special feeding is used for heathers, rhododendrons or azaleas.

Ash and nitrate fertilizers should be treated with caution, when using them, the frost resistance of the plant will decrease, and the turgor of the stems will decrease.

IMPORTANT. Planting hydrangeas in calcareous soils is categorically not recommended, in such conditions the plant will begin to wither and ultimately can lead to the death of the plant, sandy soils are also not recommended .. Young plants are quite difficult to tolerate frosts, especially if the winter was frosty and little snow

In order for young hydrangeas not to freeze out, they must be carefully hilled, and the near-stem zone of the plant should be covered with a fairly dense layer of sawdust, peat and fallen leaves

Young plants tolerate frosts rather hard, especially if the winter is frosty and with little snow. In order to prevent young hydrangeas from freezing, they must be thoroughly piled up, and the near-stem zone of the plant should be covered with a fairly dense layer of sawdust, peat and fallen leaves.

Grown plants quickly become frost-resistant and are able to survive even harsh cold weather, so there is no special need to prepare them for the winter season.

You can find out more about the rules for planting and caring for panicle hydrangea outdoors here.

Lighting

Hydrangea Limelight can tolerate shade quite well, and even bloom under these conditions. But if the florist wants to have a profusely flowering plant, then the hydrangea should be planted in a lit and protected from drafts place.

Watering

Hydrangea loves water extraordinarily, so the land in which the hydrangea grows must be very well moisturized throughout the season. Newly planted plants especially need strong watering.

Pruning

In blooming hydrangeas, timely pruning should be carried out. Due to the large density of the shrub, the inflorescences become small and inconspicuous.

Shoots deep in an uncut bush can suffer from a lack of sun, nutrients and increased moisture loss due to too much foliage.

IMPORTANT.Pruning Limelight hydrangea is best done before the active movement of life juices begins, that is, in early spring.This procedure can be carried out in late autumn, do not forget to prune all old inflorescences to prevent the shoots from breaking off during heavy snowfalls .. Spring pruning will give an incentive for the emergence of fresh shoots, which guarantees a lush hydrangea bloom in the next season

Pruning in spring will stimulate the emergence of fresh shoots, which will ensure lush hydrangea blooms in the coming season.