Little Lime® Hydrangea - 3 Gallon

Little Lime Hydrangea - Compact Panicle Hydrangea | 3-5 Feet Tall, Individual Plants

Experience award-winning compact performance with big lime-green blooms that transform to pink in a perfectly sized package. The Little Lime Hydrangea is a hardy, award-winning deciduous shrub that has become the most popular dwarf version of the celebrated Limelight hydrangea for its manageable size and exceptional flowering. This exceptional compact flowering shrub has become selected as landscape plant of the year and awarded a Gold Medal from The Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society. With its large conical flower heads that start chartreuse green and gradually change to pink and burgundy in fall and strong stems that support substantial blooms on a compact frame, the Little Lime Hydrangea creates stunning seasonal displays that bloom continuously from late summer through fall frost. The perfect 3-5 feet tall and wide mature size along with exceptional winter hardiness down to USDA Zone 3 creates year-round garden structure while providing reliable blooming performance on current season's growth. Unlike larger hydrangeas that outgrow their spaces, this compact variety provides full-sized flowers that actually intensify in color with cooler fall temperatures.

Why You'll Love the Little Lime Hydrangea

Perfect Compact Size: Growing 3 to 5 feet tall and wide at maturity with mounded habit makes this the perfect choice for mixed borders, containers, low hedges, foundation plantings, and small garden spaces where substantial blooms are desired without overwhelming size.

Extended Seasonal Interest: Space them 3-5 feet apart for borders or 30-36 inches apart for hedging and they quickly establish to provide large chartreuse cone-shaped blooms that transition to pink and burgundy. These compact shrubs have strong stems perfect for cut flower arrangements.

Outstanding Cold Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, these are the most cold and heat tolerant of all popular hydrangeas, withstanding winter temperatures as low as Zone 3. Once established, these deciduous shrubs provide reliable performance across diverse climate conditions.

Low-Maintenance Excellence: A versatile landscaping choice due to blooming on current season's growth and requiring only late winter pruning - perfect for gardeners seeking maximum floral impact with minimal ongoing maintenance in a compact package.

Little Lime Hydrangea Details

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Jane' (Little Lime)
• Type: Deciduous compact panicle hydrangea
• Mature Size: 3-5 feet tall × 3-5 feet wide (mounded habit)
• Growth Rate: Moderate — grows fast and blooms profusely once established
• Light: Full sun to partial shade (at least 6 hours sunlight for optimal blooming)
• Soil: Organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils
• Water: Consistent moisture; avoid overwatering or poor drainage
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils and thrives in urban conditions. However, panicle hydrangeas do not tolerate overwatering or poor drainage, so excellent drainage is essential.

Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal blooming. In warmer climates, afternoon shade helps prevent stress during hottest periods.

Hardiness: USDA zones 3-8, making it suitable for the widest range of climates. Very hardy and easily withstands harsh winters with no special winter care needed.

Care Instructions

Watering: Provide consistent moisture during establishment, but avoid overwatering or waterlogged conditions. Drought tolerant once established but performs best with regular watering.

Pruning: Prune as needed in late winter to early spring before new growth begins. Blooms on current season's growth, so pruning flexibility allows for size control and improved flowering.

Fertilizing: If desired, fertilize in early spring with granular rose fertilizer once ground has thawed for optimal growth and abundant blooming.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: Little Lime Hydrangea's compact size and substantial blooms make it suitable for: mixed borders, containers, low hedges, foundation plantings, cut flower gardens, mass plantings, and screening utility areas.

Hedge Excellence: Plant 30-36 inches apart center to center for low privacy hedges, or space 3-5 feet apart for borders with individual specimen impact and seasonal color transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Little Lime Hydrangeas for different uses? For hedging, plant 30-36 inches apart center to center. For borders or mass plantings, space 3-5 feet apart center to center for optimal mature growth.

Do the flowers really change from green to pink throughout the season? Yes, large conical flower heads start chartreuse green and gradually change to pink and burgundy in fall as temperatures cool, providing continuous color evolution.

Are Little Lime Hydrangeas truly cold hardy and low maintenance? Exceptionally hardy from zones 3-8, easily withstanding harsh winters with no special care needed, requiring only optional late winter pruning for size control.