The blooms on Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ initially opens to a creamy white blossom. Then when the blooms fade they take on a green tint that eventually turns a deep mauve color. As you can see here the edges of these green sepals are turning pink. Before long the entire blossom will have a rosy glow. This color-changing effect gives this plant constant interest through out the season.
I just posted this past Tuesday about the blooms on my Clematis ‘Sweet Autumn’. As some you might recall they were full near the lower edge of this vine. Here less than a week later and the entire mass of vines is blooming. It is so spectacular at this time of the year. There were a couple of butterflies hovering near the plant when I took this picture. I don’t blame them, the fragrance is so wonderful that you can’t help but want to linger in this part of the garden.
Perennial Garden Lover 
Posted by Megan on August 31, 2008 at 4:28 am
I love the stage where the flowers are green. I have a variegated lacecap hydrangea that goes from green to blue and back to green again. I’d happily skip over the blue stage entirely.
Posted by Kathleen on August 31, 2008 at 4:57 am
Wow, your sweet autumn clematis is gorgeous!!
Posted by beckie on August 31, 2008 at 5:09 am
I have noticed hydrangeas more this year than ever before. I think it is because I now know about the many different kinds where as I only knew of the mop heads before. Limelight can be seen growing all over our area and I am fascinated with it’s color and how long it stays in bloom. Sweet Autumn Clematis is another plant I have seen but never knew just what it was. The ones I am seeing are glorious just as yours is. These 2 plnats have made it to my wish list for next year. Thanks for sharing them.
Posted by Shibaguyz on August 31, 2008 at 9:18 am
That is one beautiful monster of a clematis there PGL! If we had room for something like that we’d put one of those in. For now though, I think we’ll do with our neighbor’s jasmine peaking over our fence.
Posted by Sue Swift on August 31, 2008 at 10:19 am
The clematis is gorgeous. Lovely to have things in flower just as the sumer plants are fading.
Posted by Cosmo on August 31, 2008 at 11:01 am
I can’t believe I just found your blog–I’m right down the road in James City County. Have you found the Tidewater Gardener (Les) and the Transitional Gardener (Jeff)? Jeff’s in the Hampton area, too, and Les is in Norfolk. Anyway, I look forward to catching up with your blog–100 postings since May–WOW. I’ve done like 15! Anyway, nice to meet you–Cosmo
Posted by Meadowview Thymes on August 31, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I can’t believe that clematis! I have never seen anything so beautiful!
Posted by Laurie and Chris on August 31, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Oh my goodness I can’t believe how full your Clematis ‘Sweet Autumn’ has gotten in such a short period of time. It looks so pretty.
Posted by tina on August 31, 2008 at 3:01 pm
The fragrance is great! Yours could be a twin to mine so I can smell it for sure. It is so beautiful.
Posted by Rose on August 31, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The Limelight hydrangea is lovely, but the Sweet Autumn clematis is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for reminding me–I’m going to my son’s for a birthday party today, and I wanted to see if I could get a start from his plant. I’ve been wanting one of these clematises for a long time.
Posted by Brenda Kula on August 31, 2008 at 4:04 pm
My hydrangea I planted last year bit the dust, I’m afraid. I’d planted it on the shady west side of my yard, and I don’t get over there much as it’s near the street. (I primarily garden on the east side I always show photos of). And apparently the sprinkler heads were bad and it didn’t get watered adequately. I’ve had them fixed, but I don’t know if it will bounce back… So sad. Your photos inspire me though, to get a clematis!
Brenda
Posted by PGL on August 31, 2008 at 4:40 pm
The color changing effect in Hydrangeas is very interesting Megan.
Thanks Kathleen, I'm pretty impressed with the 'Sweet Autumn' right now too. 🙂
I'm glad I could inspire you to give these plants a try Beckie. They are wonderful additions to my garden & will be the same for yours. 🙂
Thanks Guyz! You have any inch of space in your garden utilized that this monster would really take over. 🙂 I bet your neighbor's Jasmine is really lovely & wonderfully fragrant as well.
Thanks Sue! It is nice to have another wonderful season of blooms ahead when the summer flowers fade.
Hi Cosmo! Nice to meet you too. I wasn't even aware of you other VA gardeners. Nice to meet fellow Virginians! I've added you all to my blogroll so I can check out your posts too! I didn't realize I hit 100 till you mentioned it, lol. It's been an addiction for me, this blogging. 🙂
It is pretty spectacular Linda. I'm glad you are enjoying the blooms with me. 🙂
Thanks Laurie & Chris, it is amazing how quickly things can reach full flush in the garden isn't it? 🙂
Thanks Tina, I knew you would understand how beautiful & wonderfully fragrant this Clematis is in the garden.
Thank you Rose. I'm glad you enjoyed my blooms today. 🙂 I hope you get a cutting from your son's plant. It's very easy to grow.
So sad Brenda about your Hydrangea. Mine is planted in the backyard which is the north side of my yard. It seems quite happy there. It gets morning sun & afternoon shade there. I'm glad you enjoyed my Clematis, you should give it or another one a try. They are great plants!
Posted by Susie on August 31, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I hope you post a picture of that hydrangea bloom when it turns a little more mauvey color. That clematis is gorgeous. How long did it take for it to get that large?
Posted by Defining Your Home on August 31, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I love your blog…I’m so glad that I joined blotanical so that I can see all these other wonderful garden blogs! Your garden is gorgeous!
Cameron (Defining Your Home Garden)
Posted by PGL on August 31, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Susie – I promise to post a picture as the Hydrangea blooms change to mauve. 🙂 This plant is about 8 years old. It gets pretty big in one season though. I think it took 2 seasons for it to reach this size of a mass.
Thanks for visiting Cameron. I'm glad you are enjoying my blog & others because of Blotanical. Blotanical is a wonderful way to meet great people!
Posted by Gail on August 31, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Love the Sweet Autumn Clematis! It is blooming all over Nashville!
Gail
Posted by Mother Nature on August 31, 2008 at 9:24 pm
The fall clematis is fabulous. I am glad you showed it in all its glory.
Posted by Karen on August 31, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Whoa, that clematis is really something! And the hydrangea sounds like a real winner too.
– Karen
http://greenwalks.wordpress.com
Posted by DP Nguyen on August 31, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Wow, that clematis is so beautiful. It looks like snow pellets. So pretty.
Posted by Love My Cottage Garden on August 31, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Exquisite!!! I can smell them thru the computer!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by PGL on August 31, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Thanks Gail, it is a wonderful late summer-early fall bloomer here too.
I’m glad you enjoyed it’s full flush Donna. 🙂
Thanks Karen, they are both wonderful plants.
Great description of the flowers DP. It is a great plant.
I wish you could smell them thru the computer LMCG. They are the sweetest scent.
Posted by OhioMom on August 31, 2008 at 10:59 pm
You can see the difference in regions by flowers/trees. Our hydrangea has turned completely already and is, in fact, dropping it’s petals.
That clematis is awesome!
Posted by Anna on September 1, 2008 at 12:38 am
Yea for the Limelight. I need to get an SAC! My neighbor has one and it is a real masterpiece this time of year.
Posted by PGL on September 1, 2008 at 2:42 am
That makes gardening interesting, seeing what other’s gardens look like at this time of the year. Thanks Mom, I’m glad you enjoyed the Clematis ‘Sweet Autumn’. 🙂
I knew you would truly appreciate the Clematis Anna. She is a beauty along with the ‘Sweet Autumn’ Clematis. You should get one, it’s a great plant.
Posted by Nancy J. Bond on September 1, 2008 at 4:46 am
The colors of your Hydrangea Lime Light are among my favorite. Yes, I too will be looking for photos as the change continues! Beautiful.
Posted by Carla on September 1, 2008 at 3:18 pm
You hydrangea is beautiful-I would love to see the mauve end results! Sweet Autumn Clematis is on my planting list this fall!!! Thank your for sharing yours (I’m really looking forward to having it again:)
Posted by Jean on September 1, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Love the green shade of the limelight! I think I’ll try to dry mine before they turn mauve. Thanks@ Now I REALLY NEED a sweet autumn. Jean
Posted by PGL on September 1, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Thanks Nancy, I will be sure to post the color changing Hydrangea since everyone is eager to see it.
I will definitely post the change from green to mauve Carla. I’m glad I could share my SAC with you. You will enjoy having it again I’m sure.
I would love to see your dried blossoms of Limelight Jean. You should definitely get a SAC. It’s a keeper for the fall garden.
Posted by Cynthia on September 1, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Your clematis is just beautiful right now! Wow!
Posted by Lucy on September 2, 2008 at 12:46 am
WOW and WOW again!!! Awesome, just gorgeous!! I want one!
Posted by marmee on September 2, 2008 at 1:14 am
these are two of my favourite blooms. gorgeous!! simply gorgeous!!
Posted by PGL on September 2, 2008 at 1:42 am
Thanks Cynthia. I'm pretty impressed with it right now too. 🙂
You should get one Lucy. It's a very easy to grow plant. But very rampant grower, so be prepared to put it somewhere it can sprawl or trim it back.
Thanks Marmee. I'm glad you enjoyed the Hydrangea Limelight & Sweet Autumn Clematis.
Posted by GardenJoy4Me on September 4, 2008 at 9:41 pm
PGL .. Pinky Winky hydrangea has been an amazing one this year for me .. I bought Cityline Venice but I know it won’t flower until next year … something to look forward to ? I almost bought Sweet Autumn clematis .. now I wish I had seeing yours .. darn !!! LOL