The Limelight Hydrangea is one of the most popular varieties of hydrangea for the home garden. These shrubs are as easy to care for as they are lovely to look at!

Which hydrangeas are trees?

Hydrangea trees do not naturally grow into the shape of a tree. Left to their own devices, all hydrangeas will grow into shrubs with multiple stems. The only type hydrangea that can be made into a tree is Hydrangea paniculata. Nurseries prune them into single trunk trees when they are very young.

Which hydrangea tree blooms the longest?

The blooms of panicle hydrangeas are a mix of frothy, fertile florets and showy, sterile florets. The showy florets, varying in size and quantity by cultivar, provide the long-lasting bloom show, which is enhanced by a metamorphosis from white to varying shades of pink.

What is the difference between a hydrangea tree and a hydrangea bush?

The main difference between a hydrangea shrub and a tree is training, pruning and proper care. The ideal time to prune is early spring. Remove old twigs that didn't produce healthy growths and remove suckers from the trunk of the tree.

Where is the best place to plant a hydrangea tree?

Many people plant hydrangeas in beds next to their homes or fences. This is because hydrangeas love the warm morning sun, but they dislike the heat of the afternoon. The best place to plant hydrangeas is in a sheltered location with sunny mornings and shady afternoons.

Understanding and Planting a Standard Hydrangea

How fast do tree hydrangeas grow?

Hydrangeas are classified as rapid growers, or 25 or more inches per year until the plant reaches maturity. A "tree" format plant will become at least 3 inches wide at a point 4 1/4 feet high and grow at least 13 feet high.

How big does hydrangea tree get?

If you are thinking about growing hydrangea trees, check your hardiness zone. Tree hydrangeas thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8a. Planted appropriately, they can grow to 25 feet (7.6 m.) high and 20 feet (6 m.)

How long does a hydrangea tree live?

Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs, sometimes living for up to 50 years if properly cared for. They enjoy morning sun but afternoon shade, and they need frequent watering during the growing season. Prune them in the fall after the blooms fade so they can grow on strong stems the following summer.

How big does a limelight hydrangea tree get?

Limelight Hydrangea (tree form) will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines.

Which hydrangea is the prettiest?

Limelight hydrangeas are known for their large blooms that gleam in full sun. The new Limelight Prime panicle hydrangea does everything better than the original Limelight, from bud to bloom and beyond.

What's the easiest hydrangea to grow?

Oakleaf varieties are the easiest type of hydrangeas for beginners to grow. Why are oakleaf hydrangeas so easy? They aren't picky! Oakleaf hydrangeas can tolerate colder weather, handle more sun, withstand drought, are more disease/pest resistant and grow in sandy soil better than other hydrangeas.

What is the hardiest hydrangea?

Hydrangea paniculata is one of the hardiest species; it thrives in Zones 4-8.

What is the smallest hydrangea tree?

'Paraplu' Hydrangea macrophylla

The 'Paraplu' hydrangea is a true dwarf variety with a mature height of around 3 feet, which makes it excellent for growing in containers.

What colors do hydrangea trees come in?

The bloom colors are what really make the hydrangea stand out: They range from pink to blue, including all shades of lavender to violet to purple, as well as green and white.

How fast does a limelight hydrangea tree grow?

How fast do limelight hydrangea trees grow? These trees can grow 1 to 2 feet per year, up to a height of around 8 feet.

What does a limelight hydrangea look like?

Appearance. Limelight hydrangea trees grow in a rounded shape with deep, dark green foliage. In summer, their 10-inch, pale green flowers bloom from new wood growth. These enormous blooms change color throughout the season, shifting to creams, whites, and even pinks through fall before the leaves drop in winter.

How much sun does a limelight hydrangea tree need?

'Limelight' Panicle Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata. The 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).

How do I protect my hydrangea tree in the winter?

Protect your in-ground hydrangea in winter by making a frame around the plant using stakes. Wrap chicken wire around the stakes to form a cage. Fill the cage with pine needles and/or leaves to fully insulate your plant. Oak leaves work well because they do not settle as easily as other materials.

Should you cut dead flowers off hydrangea tree?

No need to worry – this is simply a sign that it's time to remove the flowers, a process called deadheading. When you deadhead hydrangeas, you aren't harming the plants at all. Removing the spent blooms triggers flowering shrubs to stop producing seeds and instead put their energy toward root and foliage development.

How long does a hydrangea tree bloom?

Its creamy white blooms arrive in late summer and fade to green during fall. This unique Hydrangea tree will tolerate almost any condition. The bloom time is lengthy and stretches from summer through fall. The flowers of the Limelight hydrangea are upright and elongated and up to 12 inches long.

How deep should I plant a hydrangea tree?

Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. The base of the plant (where the stem meets the soil) should be level with the top of the planting hole. Set the plant in the hole and fill it half full with soil.

Can hydrangea trees be in full sun?

Tree hydrangeas grow well in full sun to partial shade, meaning at least four hours of direct sunlight on most days. In hot climates, they will benefit from some afternoon shade.

When should you buy hydrangeas?

If possible, buy your plant when it's blooming, so you're sure you're getting the flower type—and color—you want. You should be able to lift or slide (lay the plant on its side) the hydrangea from its pot to get a look at its roots.