Limelight hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) is a low-maintenance shrub that blooms in the late summer and fall. This variety is easy to grow and thrives in U.S Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Limelight hydrangea features large, white flower clusters that cover the shrub from late August to mid-September.
How To Plant Limelight Hydrangea
Here is the complete process explained in detail on how to plant limelight hydrangea:
Step 1:
1. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball and filled with compost.
Step 2:
2. Remove the plant from the container and place it in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above ground level.
Step 3:
3. Backfill around the root ball with soil, tamping down gently to remove air pockets.
Step 4:
4. Gently firm around the base of the plant and water thoroughly to settle soil around roots.
Step 5:
5. Water regularly for two weeks after planting to help establish plants in their new location and reduce transplant shock; then water as needed throughout growing season.
Step 6:
6. Mulch plants with bark mulch or pine straw to conserve moisture, reduce weeds, keep roots cool, and improve appearance of planting bed over time (mulch can be removed in fall).
Step 7:
7. Prune after flowering has finished by removing dead wood, suckers at base of plant, and any damaged branches; prune back to healthy wood that extends beyond an outward-facing bud (see “How To Prune Roses” on page 15).
Step 8:
8. Fertilize three times during growing season: early spring when buds begin to swell, mid-summer when flowers begin to fade, and late summer just before first frost date (avoid fertilizing after mid-August). Apply fertilizer evenly around base of plant according to label directions using a watering can or hose-end sprayer set at low pressure (do not use high-pressure sprayer);
water well immediately following application; avoid getting fertilizer on leaves or stems because it may cause burning damage if left on foliage too long; repeat application every 4 weeks until first frost date if desired for best results (see page 7 for more information about fertilizers).
Step 9:
9 . Keep area free of weeds by hoeing between plants every 2 weeks during growing season; hand pull any weeds that emerge between mulch rows in fall before they go to seed or spread roots into surrounding beds;
do not let weeds go to seed! If you have trouble keeping weeds under control while your hydrangeas are young, try broadcasting a preemergent herbicide such as corn gluten meal when you apply your first round of fertilizer in early spring (apply before buds swell);
this will help prevent most annual weed seeds from germinating each year until your hydrangeas become established — but note that these products will not kill existing perennial weed plants so you’ll still need to hand weed between established shrubs every 2 weeks during growing season until perennials die back naturally each year.)
Step 10:
10 . Watch for signs of disease or pests including: aphids, spider mites, leaf spots/blights/diseases/rusts/mildews/fungal infections/scale insects — treat appropriately if necessary according to label directions when symptoms appear on individual plants or overall garden infestation appears severe enough that it could harm entire garden (refer back to pages 8–10 for more information about specific diseases);
also watch for signs of insect pests including Japanese beetles, rose chafers/cabbage worms/cabbage loopers/white grubs — treat appropriately if necessary according to label directions when symptoms appear on individual plants or overall garden infestation appears severe enough that it could harm entire garden (refer back to pages 10–13 for more information about specific insects);
also watch for signs of animal pests including deer — protect new growth from browsing deer by wrapping stems with hardware cloth guards made out of galvanized wire fencing material cut into 5″ × 6″ strips which can be secured with twist ties at least 6″ above ground level starting when new growth begins until stems are tall enough where they’re no longer vulnerable;
if deer problem persists even with guards in place consider installing a fence made out of metal posts set 6′ apart topped with electrified wire fencing material which is effective at keeping deer away from gardens containing edible crops like fruit trees and vegetables — see pages 14–15 for more information about animal pests) ;
also watch for signs of other problems including slugs & snails — treat appropriately if necessary according to label directions whenever you notice them eating leaves or causing other damage since they can quickly cause serious problems once they start feeding on your hydrangeas;
also watch carefully over time for signs that rabbits may be chewing stems since they often chew off tender new growth tips just below where leaves attach which causes unsightly brown stubs instead of attractive smooth branches — protect young shoots by wrapping them loosely with plastic mesh material secured tightly around stem just above where leaves attach using twist ties until stems grow tall enough where they’re no longer vulnerable);
Tips for How To Plant Limelight Hydrangea
Here are 5 things to take care of with respect to how to plant limelight hydrangea:
1. Before you plant your hydrangea, it is important that you make sure it is dry. If not, the roots will rot and die before they can take hold in their new environment.
2. Your soil should be well drained and not too rich or too poor in nutrients. It should be about 3-4 inches deep.
3. You need to dig a hole for your hydrangea’s root ball that is large enough so that the entire root ball fits into it with some space left over at the top of the hole. This allows for room as the roots grow and spread out into the surrounding soil!
4. After you have dug your hole, fill it with water to make sure it is well draining – then remove all of the water from your hole!
5. Put your hydrangea in its new home, making sure that its crown (where the leaves meet) is at ground level!
Interesting Facts About Hydrangea
Here are 5 things you should know about hydrangea:
1. Hydrangea flowers are not actually flowers! They start out as leaves and then the flower is produced from those leaves.
2. The best time to see hydrangea blooms is in June when they are at their peak of color and size.
3. The flowers last for less than a week and then they turn brown, but the leaves continue to grow until fall when they turn yellow and die off. If you want to keep your hydrangea alive year round, you can cut off the bottom 1/3 of the plant before it dies in fall and put it in a vase with water.
Then, place the vase in a cool area (like your basement) where it will go dormant until springtime when you can plant it outside again. If you do this, be sure to place some pebbles or marbles on top of the soil so that it does not rot from sitting in water all winter long.
4. There are over 100 different types of hydrangeas, with many different leaf shapes and flower colors ranging from white, pink, blue, purple, red or even black! Hydrangeas also come in various sizes from dwarf varieties that only grow up to 6 inches tall, to tree-sized varieties that can reach up to 20 feet tall!
5. Did you know that there is an annual Hydrangea Festival held every year at Wisteria Gardens? It takes place on Father’s Day weekend each year and features several vendors selling all things hydrangea related including plants, garden decorations like birdhouses made from old hydrangea stems, books about growing hydrangeas plus lots more!
FAQs
Limelight hydrangeas prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They are not particular about the pH level of the soil, but if your soil is too alkaline, you can amend it with ground pine bark. Limelight hydrangeas do best in full sun to partial shade. Northern gardeners should plant them in a location that gets some afternoon shade to protect them from the cold winter sun.
How do I care for Limelight hydrangeas?
Limelight hydrangeas require very little care once they’re established. If you’re planting them in an area with poor drainage or heavy clay soil, add some organic matter such as compost or aged manure to improve the drainage and loosen up the soil before planting. Water regularly during dry periods and apply a balanced fertilizer every few months during the growing season. Deadhead spent blooms to keep your Limelight hydrangea blooming all summer long!
Limelight hydrangea is a sun-loving plant that will thrive in full sun. However, it can tolerate some shade as well.
How much water does Limelight hydrangea need?
Limelight hydrangea should be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch an inch or two below the surface. It doesn’t like to have wet roots. Watering once a week should be sufficient for most plants, but if you live in a hot and dry climate you may need to water more often.
How much fertilizer does Limelight hydrangea need?
If you are growing your Limelight hydrangea in potting mix, fertilize it every six months with a slow-release granular fertilizer mixed according to package directions. If you are growing it in the ground, add composted manure or other organic matter to the soil each year at about the same time as fertilizer application. This helps feed your plant and keep its pH level balanced.
No, the Limelight hydrangeas do not spread. They are a shrub variety and don’t have any runners that would allow them to spread.
Will they grow in full sun?
Yes, they will grow in full sun. The more sun they get the better they will look. They should be planted in a location where they will get at least 6 hours of sunlight every day. You can plant them in a partially shaded area but you won’t get as much color from them as you would if they were planted in a sunny location.
Yes, Limelight hydrangeas grow very fast. They are one of the fastest growing varieties of hydrangeas available. If you want to grow them quickly, you need to provide plenty of water and fertilize them often. A thick layer of mulch will also help keep the soil moist.
How do I prune Limelight hydrangeas?
Limelight hydrangeas should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The best time is when they are dormant and you can see the buds on the stems that are ready to bloom for the next year. Pruning at this time will encourage new growth and flowers on your plants. You should prune by cutting off about a third of each stem at the base using sharp shears or a good pair of gardening scissors. Make sure you cut back all dead wood as well as any stems that have just flower buds without leaves on them. This will make sure that your plant grows strong, healthy branches that produce blooms in their place instead of dying branches with no flowers or leaves on them.