Hydrangea 'Limelight' (July 6, 2009)
Last July 7th I did a post about my favorite ornamental shrub, the Hydrangea ‘Limelight’. You can read about it here. Well it’s getting ready to bloom again. Soon these buds will open into a slightly chartreuse blossom that fades to a creamy white and then a mauve in the fall. Once it starts it will hold it’s blooms right up until frost when they become a nice tan color. Last winter I left them on the small tree for some interest. Then this spring I gave it a good trim by about a 1/3 along with removing some crossing branches and suckers. It seems that it is a bit behind schedule from last year since some of the small sepal petals were already starting to open up. However after the nice rainfall we received all day Sunday (alittle over an inch) it should catch up quickly. I look forward to the blooms every year and they never disappoint me. It really is a nice focal point in the garden. This is one Hydrangea that stands up to drought conditions and full sun. Mine gets morning sun with maybe a couple of hours later in the day. I know I tend to gush about this fabulous plant, but it really is a great addition to the perennial bed. You can trim it into a small tree form or leave it as a large bush. It requires no extra watering during the heat of summer once it’s established and never gets the dreaded droops like the wimpy Mopheads. Some of you were so impressed you added one to your garden last fall. Hope to see and hear how your new plants are doing too. 
