Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

A popular hydrangea with lime-green conical blooms that age to pink.
Strong upright habit
Long-lasting flowers
Excellent focal shrub
 
This may well be our all time favourite plant! It's beautiful, tough and flowers reliably and abundantly every year. 
 
Summary
Robust and visually striking with large, lime-green blooms fading to dusky pink in autumn.
Thrives in a range of soil types and light conditions, unlike most other Hydrangeas
Doesn't flop in the rain like Hydrangea 'Annabelle' for example.
Generally resistant to slugs and snails, making maintenance easier.
 
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' is a stalwart in the Urban Plot gardens. Celebrated for its hardy nature and long show-stopping blooms it produces large, conical flower heads that start a fresh lime-green, transitioning to creamy white and pink hues as the season progresses. It's an eye-catching addition to any garden, bringing a burst of colour from early-summer into autumn. Its robust nature means it’s relatively low maintenance, providing prolonged interest with minimal effort.
 
This hydrangea thrives in partial shade, but can tolerate more sun than most Hydrangeas, making it more versatile for various garden locations. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but is also adaptable to different soil types, including clay and sandy soils. 'Limelight' grows to a height of 1-1.5 metres with a spread of around 90cm, forming a neat, rounded habit that's both striking and manageable. Regular pruning in late winter or early spring helps maintain its shape and encourages vigorous blooming.
 
When designing a planting scheme, consider placing 'Limelight' as a focal point in mixed borders or as a standalone specimen. Its bright blooms contrast beautifully with darker foliage plants like Heuchera or Salvia, and it complements late-summer perennials such as Rudbeckia and Echinacea. Notably, 'Limelight' exhibits a commendable resistance to most pests including slugs and snails. This resilience, coupled with its aesthetic appeal, makes Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' an indispensable low-maintenance choice for most garden types.