Limelight Prime is the refined form of the classic Limelight panicle hydrangea: big, football-shaped blooms that open a cool celadon green in summer on a more compact, stronger-stemmed shrub of 5 to 7 feet. As nights cool, the flowers age through pink to red and burgundy and hold until frost.

Panicle hydrangeas are the sun-tolerant ones; morning sun to nearly full sun works here with decent water. It blooms on new wood, so cut it back by a third in late winter without losing a single flower. The blooms cut and dry beautifully for arrangements.