The panicle hydrangea “Limelight” is a relatively new variety that stands out for its initially green-white, later lemon-yellow flowers. The inflorescences are very dense and appear very compact, with only the sterile flowers being visible. For lush flowers, “Limelight” should be cut back every year, as this hydrangea variety only blooms on new wood.
How do I cut a “Limelight” hydrangea correctly?
To properly prune a “Limelight” panicle hydrangea, carry out a clean-up pruning in the fall and a pruning in the spring. The more vigorous the pruning, the more flowers will develop. It can also make sense to thin out the oldest shoots to allow light and air inside.
Remove inflorescences or not?
Experienced gardeners remove the dried inflorescences in late autumn or at the beginning of winter. Of course, you can also leave them standing and simply cut them away with spring pruning, but experience has shown that this significantly increases the risk of gray mold infestation, especially in very wet winters. In fact, the spores of this harmful fungus find an ideal shelter for the winter in the dry inflorescences, only to become active again with the returning warmth as soon as the budding has begun.
Cut back “Limelight”
Above all, the annual rejuvenation or thinning cut should not only be carried out on the panicle hydrangea “Limelight”, but generally on all hydrangeas. Pruning prevents aging and preserves the plant's ability to bloom.
Cleaning in autumn
You should closely inspect your “Limelight” panicle hydrangea every fall. Any damaged, stunted or deformed parts must be removed. Above all, if two branches rub against each other, cut off the one that points inwards or the less beautiful of the two, because rubbing damages the bark and opens the door to disease.
Provide light and air through thinning cuts
Pranicle hydrangeas whose interior has grown too dense must be thinned out. Finally, removing branches and twigs at the base inside allows air and light to circulate in the heart of the shrub.
Pruning in spring
Panicle hydrangeas like the “Limelight” variety bloom on this year’s wood and can therefore easily be cut back in early spring. You can assume that the more vigorously the pruning is carried out, the more numerous and larger the flowers will be. “Limelight” can easily be cut back radically to 15 to 30 centimeters; the shrub will then sprout even more vigorously during the growth phase. However, if you don't want to proceed quite so radically, then just cut out the three to four oldest shoots from the middle and shorten all side shoots to a length of approx. 10 centimeters.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to cut cuttings, choose top cuttings from non-flowering side shoots. The best time to propagate cuttings is the growing season between June and August.
