SHREVEPORT, La. – For this week’s KTBS Garden Club segment, Akin’s Nursery owner Jennifer McGimsey showcased the beauty and benefits of limelight hydrangeas — a hardy variety known for thriving in sunny locations and providing months of changing color.

Benefits of Limelight Hydrangeas

Unlike many traditional hydrangeas that prefer shade, limelight hydrangeas are identified by their cone-shaped blooms and their ability to tolerate full sun. Gardeners should look for the word “panicle” when selecting hydrangeas that can handle more sunlight.

These plants begin the season with creamy white and green blooms, which gradually transition into soft shades of pink as they mature. “You can let these beautiful, graceful blooms age on there and stay on all winter, and then come back and trim them up,” said McGimsey.

Limelight hydrangeas come in several forms, including tree shapes, large shrubs, and compact dwarf varieties. While dwarf selections may remain around three feet tall, standard limelight hydrangeas can grow up to six feet or more.

Another advantage of limelight hydrangeas is their simple maintenance. Because they bloom on new wood, gardeners don’t have to worry about accidentally removing future flowers when pruning. They can be trimmed back in late winter or at the very beginning of spring before the next growing season begins.

With their long-lasting blooms, changing colors, and easy-care nature, limelight hydrangeas can be a standout addition to any garden.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.