Beloved by gardeners around the world, panicled hydrangea ‘Jane’ are a group of flowering shrubs, small trees, and woody vines. Many panicled hydrangea ‘Jane’ have large, showy flower clusters – hundreds of ornamental cultivars are available. In many places, their flowers are symbolic of love or passion.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
The ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is a patented cultivar that is a dwarf variety of the ‘Limelight’ hydrangea. Compared to its famous eight-foot-tall sibling, ‘Limelight’, the ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea may look too small. But don’t think this petite shrub can’t make a statement in the garden—it still has a big personality. This variety, which grows up to 12 inches per year and maintains a compact and manageable size of three to five feet tall and wide, adds a visual “wow” factor when loaded with large flowers.
‘Limelight’ and ‘Little Lime’ are varieties of Hydrangea paniculata, a typically tall, deciduous shrub native to Japan and China. Panicle hydrangeas bear conical clusters of flower petals, blooming from mid-summer until fall. ‘Little Lime’, also known as ‘Jane’, has oval green foliage and produces tightly packed green panicles in the summer. The chartreuse blooms brighten to a soft white, then turn rosy pink and finally burgundy as they age, extending the show into the fall.
Cool fall nights result in the most dramatic color, so results can differ depending on where you live. A border of several plants can result in a multi-colored cotton candy effect in the garden. Another nice feature of ‘Little Lime’ is the sturdy, branching stems that hold the flower heads upright with little drooping. Plant in early fall or late spring. Like all hydrangeas, the ‘Little Lime’ is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The native environment of ‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas is under sparse forest, so it is adaptable to partial shade. Too little sunlight will reduce the flower number or even produce no flowers, and too much sunlight may cause sunburn to flowers. In gardens, the best place to plant panicled hydrangea ‘Jane’ is a place where it can fully receive the morning sunlight while being partially shaded in the afternoon. The colder the climate, the longer sunlight exposure is needed. In the coldest hardiness zone, it requires at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. In the warm areas where it is best adapted, 3 hours of sunlight a day is enough.
Watering
‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas demands a very large amount of water. The recommended watering frequency is at least three times a week. Please note that the frequency should be appropriately increased in dry areas or during hot summers. The soil should always be kept moist, but free of accumulated water. The watering frequency may be adjusted in different seasons according to this criterion. Furthermore, water should be quickly supplemented if panicled hydrangea ‘Jane’ leaves begin to wither.
Soil
‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas requires soil that is rich in humus and well-drained. It likes moist soil but is not resistant to waterlogging. If the soil is heavy, coarse sand or organic fertilizer can be added to improve draining and permeability. This can also increase the organic matter content. If the soil easily dries out, cover it with organic mulch to keep it moist while maintaining ventilation.
The soil pH will affect flower colors of some varieties of bigleaf hydrangea. ‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas growing in acidic and aluminum-rich soils will bloom in blue, while in alkaline soils they bloom in pink. An appropriate amount of aluminum sulfate or lime can be added to the soil to adjust the pH if you want to control the flower color.
Fertilizing
‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas only need light fertilization. Add a controlled, granular, slow-release fertilizer in early spring according to the label instructions. Add a second fertilizer application in late summer to encourage more blooms. Keep the plant healthy throughout the fall and winter by amending the soil with compost or adding mulch around the roots.
Planting Instructions
The ideal planting time for ‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas is early spring or late autumn. A very high survival rate can be obtained by transplanting ‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas after it has gone completely dormant. Additionally, it can also be planted in late spring and early summer, but make sure the soil is always moist and well-draining. During the initial stage of transplanting, pay attention to shading. Proper shading will reduce the evaporation rate and prevent sunburn.
For transplanting, dig a pit 61 cm wider than the diameter of, and as deep as, the plant’s root ball. Cover the pit with soil and pile up a small soil mound aboveground to help with water drainage. If planting in a flowerpot, make sure the diameter of the pot is at least twice as big as the root ball.
Pruning
Unlike many hydrangeas that bloom on old wood and should be pruned after flowering, ‘Little Lime’ blooms on new wood and should be trimmed to the preferred size and shape in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. The later you prune, the later that ‘Little Lime’ can produce flowers. The only prune required is to remove dead wood, which provides ‘Little Lime’ a trim to encourage new growth and abundant buds. For winter interest, you can leave dried blooms on the shrub in the fall.
Potting and Repotting
As a dwarf hydrangea variety, the ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea grows well in containers. Ensure the container is well-draining so excess moisture does not create a wet soil environment, leading to rot or other fungal diseases.
Repot hydrangeas during dormancy in early spring. After waking from its dormancy, it will have more energy to adjust to its new environment—plant hydrangeas in a pot with good drainage and large enough to add soil around the roots.
Overwintering
The ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea is relatively cold-hardy, so adding a thin layer of mulch around the roots can protect it throughout the winter in most environments. Use pine straw, oak leaves, or wood mulch. Avoid planting hydrangeas in an area susceptible to strong winds.
If growing ‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas in containers, these plants are more susceptible to frost damage and need to move to a warmer location or use thicker mulch for insulation throughout the winter. Adding a burlap or cloth covering around the container plant can help provide insulation. Remove the covering after the last frost passes and ensure enough air circulation and proper drainage throughout the season change.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The ‘Little Lime’ hydrangea is relatively carefree and disease-resistant. While this hardy plant is generally trouble-free, some insects, diseases, and problems can become an issue. Insects such as aphids, soft scales, whiteflies, and spider mites can infest hydrangeas. Wash these pests away by spraying the foliage with a water hose for a few days until the infestation is gone. If the problem persists, an insecticidal soap and pruning damaged or diseased plants can help rid the plant of pests.
Some diseases include leaf spot, rust spot, and mildew. Avoid diseases from developing by providing proper air circulation and avoiding wet soil. Additionally, when watering, avoid wetting the foliage and instead focus on the roots.
Common Problems
While ‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas are easy to maintain, there are still some common problems to know about so you can treat them if an issue occurs. Here are some things to know:
- Leaves Turning Yellow
If hydrangea leaves turn yellow unexpectedly during the growing season, it likely receives insufficient watering—either too much or little. Additionally, too much fertilization can damage the root system. Avoid yellowing foliage by allowing the soil to dry entirely before watering to prevent soggy conditions.
- Leaves Turning Black/Brown
Leaves turning brown can signify too much fertilization, which can burn the foliage and roots. Keep constantly moist soil to help avoid over-fertilization and only add applications to healthy plants. Hydrangea rust causes foliage to develop orange-brown spots on the underside of the leaves. When watering, this fungal disease spreads the spores throughout the foliage, eventually causing the leaves to drop off. Always water the base of the plant to prevent the fungus from spreading, and keep the foliage as dry as possible to avoid rust. Fungicides can help treat rust if the issue persists.
III. Harvesting and Storage
‘Little Lime’ hydrangeas inflorescences can be divided into two categories according to their shapes: Lacecap and Mophead. Both can be used as cut flowers. The inflorescences can be cut with sharp scissors as soon as they fully bloom. The best time to pick flowers is early morning, which helps avoid the effects of evaporation. The stem should be cut at a 45-degree angle and soaked in cool water as soon as possible to prevent moisture loss.
