The key to distinguishing between Limelight Hydrangea and Little Lime Hydrangea is their size. Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: As is clear from its name, the Little Lime Hydrangea is a smaller version of the popular Limelight Hydrangea. Stay with me in this post to tell you more facts about these stunning varieties of Hydrangea paniculate.
Limelight Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’) is a popular cultivar known for its large, conical green flower clusters that turn creamy-white and come in pinkish hues as the season progresses. I admire the ‘Limelight’ variety for its hardiness and long-lasting blooms.
The Little Lime Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’) is a compact cultivar of Hydrangea paniculata, that features similar conical flower clusters that transition from green to white and eventually to pink as they mature, but it remains smaller in size, making it a great option for smaller gardens or container planting.
Key Features to Distinguish Limelight Hydrangea from Little Lime
While both Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ and Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’ are cultivars of the same species and share similar characteristics, key differences can help you distinguish them. Here I provide a comparison based on several important factors:
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: Size and Growth Habit
➡ ‘Limelight’: This variety is larger, growing to about 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters) in height and width, with an upright, bushy growth habit.
➡ ‘Little Lime’: As the name suggests, this variety is more compact, typically growing to about 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) in height and width. It has a more rounded, dense shape than the taller, more open structure of ‘Limelight’.
💡 Distinguishing Tip: The most noticeable difference is size — ‘Limelight’ is much taller and wider, while ‘Little Lime’ is more compact and bushier.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: Flower Clusters
➡ ‘Limelight’: The flower clusters are large, conical panicles that can reach up to 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) in length. The flowers start as lime green and transition to creamy white, then to pink as they age.
➡ ‘Little Lime’: The flower clusters on ‘Little Lime’ are smaller, usually around 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) in length, but still retain the same conical shape. Like ‘Limelight’, they start green, turn white, and eventually become pinkish as they mature, but the overall display is more compact.
💡 Distinguishing Tip: The flower clusters of ‘Limelight’ are larger and more elongated, while ‘Little Lime’ are much smaller and more condensed. I also recommend reading my other post “House Plants with Small White Flowers“.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: Flowering Time
➡ Both varieties typically bloom from late spring to summer, with blooms starting around June and lasting through to fall. However, ‘Limelight’ may flower a bit later due to its larger size and more extended growing season.
💡 Distinguishing Tip: While there’s not a dramatic difference in bloom time, you might notice that ‘Little Lime’ can start flowering slightly earlier in the season and is more prolific in smaller garden spaces.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: Color
➡ ‘Limelight’: Begins with lime green flowers, gradually turning to creamy white, and then pink as the summer progresses, with a strong colour shift toward pink during late summer and fall.
➡ ‘Little Lime’: Starts with a more intense lime-green colour and fades to white, then pink, but because of its smaller blooms, the colour change is somewhat less dramatic compared to ‘Limelight’.
💡 Distinguishing Tip: The colour transition is quite similar in both varieties, but ‘Little Lime’ tends to have slightly smaller flowers with a more subtle transition in colour compared to the larger, more pronounced changes seen in ‘Limelight’.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: Foliage
➡ Both varieties have similar green, ovate leaves, but ‘Limelight’ can have larger leaves than the smaller, more compact foliage of ‘Little Lime’.
💡 Distinguishing Tip: The size of the leaves can offer a clue—’Limelight’ has larger foliage than the smaller leaves on ‘Little Lime’.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: Hardiness and Care
➡ Both varieties are relatively hardy, suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8, but ‘Little Lime’ may have a slight edge in terms of adaptability to smaller spaces and more limited pruning needs, as it naturally stays more compact.
➡ Both prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. However, because ‘Little Lime’ is smaller, it’s easier to manage in smaller garden spaces or containers.
💡 Distinguishing Tip: If the plant grows in a confined space or container, it is likely ‘Little Lime’ due to its smaller, more manageable size.
Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime: Landscape Use
➡ ‘Limelight’ is excellent for larger gardens, as it makes a bold statement with its large blooms and height.
➡ ‘Little Lime’, being smaller, is ideal for smaller gardens, borders, or container planting where a more compact hydrangea is needed without sacrificing the beautiful bloom display.
💡 Distinguishing Tip: If you’re in a space with room for larger plants, you’re likely looking at ‘Limelight’. It’s likely ‘ Little Lime ‘ in smaller, more intimate settings or containers.
For Those Who Are Busy
Here I provided a summary table for a quick comparison between ‘Little Lime’ and ‘Limelight’ Hydrangea.
| Characteristic | ‘Limelight’ | ‘Little Lime’ |
| Size | 6–8 feet tall and wide | 3–5 feet tall and wide |
| Flower Cluster Size | 8–12 inches long | 4–6 inches long |
| Growth Habit | Tall, upright, bushy | Compact, rounded, dense |
| Flower Color Change | Green → White → Pink | Green → White → Pink |
| Flowering Time | Late spring to fall (later) | Late spring to summer (earlier) |
| Leaf Size | Larger leaves | Smaller leaves |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–8 | 3–8 |
| Best for | Larger gardens or landscapes | Smaller gardens, borders, or containers |
The End,
I gave you distinguishing tips that helped you identify the Limelight Hydrangea Vs Little Lime. I told you if the hydrangea is large and upright, it’s ‘Limelight’. If it’s more compact and rounded, it’s ‘Little Lime’. In addition, you found out the flowers of ‘Little Lime’ are smaller and more condensed. So, I think the ‘Limelight’ is more suited for larger spaces, while the ‘Little Lime’ fits well in smaller gardens or containers.
Tell me can you identify which variety you’re working within your garden? don’t forget ask me your questions below this page in the comments.
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.