Hi, I’m a horticultural consultant, if you’re trying to decide between Limelight Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’) and Incrediball Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Incrediball’), here’s a comparison based on my experience with both. They’re both beautiful choices for the garden, but they do have some differences in terms of appearance, care, and overall growth habits.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Incrediball: Size & Growth Habit
Limelight tends to be a much larger shrub—it can grow up to 6–8 feet tall and wide. Its upright and more open form means that it needs more space to spread out. It’s perfect for filling larger garden spaces or creating a dramatic focal point in the landscape. Because it’s so big, you’ll likely need to prune it back more heavily to control its size.
Incrediball, on the other hand, is much more compact, reaching around 4–5 feet tall and wide. Its denser, rounder shape makes it great for smaller spaces or if you want a bushier look without worrying about it getting too big.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Incrediball: Flowering
Limelight starts blooming a little later in the summer, around July to August, and keeps its flowers until fall. The blooms are cone-shaped (panicles) and change colour from lime green to creamy white, then to pink as they mature. So, you get a long-lasting and ever-changing display of colour, which is nice if you want that extended show.
Incrediball blooms a bit earlier, usually starting in June, with large, round, snowball-like flowers that are white. The blooms are massive, and the plant will stay in full bloom for 6–8 weeks, typically through July. While it’s not as colour-changing as Limelight, the big, round blooms give it a distinct and striking appearance.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Incrediball: Watering & Soil
Both plants like moist, well-drained soil and need regular watering, especially in dry spells. Limelight is slightly more drought-tolerant once established, while Incrediball can be a bit more sensitive to drying out, so it might need more consistent moisture, particularly during its blooming period. For both, it’s best to avoid letting the soil stay soggy, so good drainage is key.
As for soil, both prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 5.5–7) and will thrive in loamy soil, but Limelight is a little more adaptable to different soil types. If your soil tends to be a bit heavier (like clay), you might need to amend it for better drainage for either of them.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Incrediball: Sunlight
Limelight prefers full sun, but it can tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates, where a bit of afternoon shade can protect the leaves from getting scorched. In full sun, it’ll bloom most abundantly.
Incrediball also does best in full sun, but it can handle a bit more shade than Limelight, which makes it a good option if you have an area that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. It still performs well in sun, but a little more flexibility with light can make Incrediball easier to place in tricky spots.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Incrediball: Pruning
Since both hydrangeas bloom on new wood, you can prune them heavily in late winter or early spring. I usually cut back the Limelight to about 12–18 inches to control its size and encourage strong, fresh growth. It’s a little more aggressive with pruning since it’s bigger and needs shaping.
Incrediball doesn’t require as much pruning. I typically just prune it moderately, taking off about one-third of the plant, since it’s naturally more compact and doesn’t get as large. Both plants benefit from deadheading spent blooms throughout the season to keep them looking tidy, though this isn’t necessary for health.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Incrediball: Fertilizing & General Care
Both benefit from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, and possibly a light second feeding in early summer to encourage blooming. For Incrediball, though, it’s important not to over-fertilize, as it can be a bit more sensitive to extra nutrients.
Neither plant is especially fussy, but like all hydrangeas, they thrive best with regular care. I make sure both have consistent moisture, especially during their flowering season and use a mulch to help retain moisture and protect the roots.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Incrediball: Winter Care
Both hydrangeas are hardy in USDA zones 3–8, so they’ll do well in most parts of the country. They don’t require a lot of winter care, but a layer of mulch around the base can help insulate the roots in colder climates. I usually leave the dried blooms on Limelight and Incrediball through the winter for added interest, as both have beautiful winter silhouettes.
Summary,
If you’re looking for a larger shrub with dramatic, ever-changing blooms, Limelight is the way to go. It needs more pruning and a bit more space but offers a longer blooming period and striking colour changes.
If you want something more compact, with huge, round blooms that stay mostly white, Incrediball is the better option. It’s easier to manage and doesn’t require as much pruning, making it great for smaller gardens.
Ultimately, both are great choices depending on your garden’s needs—Limelight is better for larger spaces and a longer bloom display, while Incrediball is perfect for smaller gardens or if you want a plant with big, showy blooms without worrying about it getting too large.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.