Limelight hydrangea is a deciduous shrub that blooms in late spring to early summer. The large, cone-shaped flowers are white, and the plant can reach a height of 6 to 8 feet.
Related plant:
Limelight Hydrangea Bush
About soil condition, the limelight hydrangea grows best in moist, rich soil that is slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. If your soil is not acidic enough, you can add sulfur to lower the pH. The soil should be well-drained but retain some moisture.
Just like other hydrangeas, the limelight hydrangea requires full sun to partial shade in order to thrive. It's best to plant this hydrangea in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. The more sun it gets, the more flowers it will produce.
The temperature condition that is most favorable for the growth of limelight hydrangeas is a temperature that is cool but not cold. This type of temperature is typically found in regions that have a mild climate. However, the plant can also tolerate a wide range of temperatures, including temperatures that are hot and humid.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and crisp. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to turn yellow and drop off.
About fertilizer, this type of plant does best with a low nitrogen fertilizer. An all-purpose fertilizer with a low first number is fine. To promote lots of flowers, use a fertilizer made for hydrangeas. Also, root growth is fast, so make sure the plant has room to grow.
Pruning your limelight hydrangea is important to maintaining the plant's health and preventing overgrowth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. To prune, simply cut back the stems to the desired length. Be sure to make clean, sharp cuts to avoid damaging the plant.
Propagation is usually done by rooting stem cuttings taken from the parent plant in late summer. Place the cuttings in a well-drained, sandy soil and keep them moist. They should root in four to six weeks. Be sure to provide plenty of air circulation to prevent damping off. You can also propagate hydrangeas from seed, but it will take several years for the plant to mature.
Usually, the plant growth rate is rather slow, taking up to five years to achieve their full potential size. However, under the right conditions, they can grow much faster. The ideal situation for rapid growth is full sun and well-drained soil that is moist but not soggy. If the plant is grown in too much shade, the growth rate will be slower.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew and leaf spot. Both of these problems are caused by fungi that thrive in moist, warm conditions. To prevent these problems, water the plant in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. If the plant is already infected, remove affected leaves and destroy them. Treat the plant with a fungicide according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Source:
The Climbing Hydrangea - Penn State Extension
Hydrangea: Identify and Manage Problems - UMD
Growing Hydrangeas - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the
