Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Proven Winners ColorChoice® Lime Rickey® Hydrangea is a very hardy smooth hydrangea with lime green flowers. As the flowers age, they turn jade green. The flowers are held up by very strong stems, which is a noticeable improvement to the well-known Annabelle hydrangea.
This shrub is native to North America, and great for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Being native also means it is hardier and easier to care for. The shrub blooms every single year, without fail.
Lime Rickey Hydrangea Care
Plant this shrub in an area with well drained soil. It is best to grow this in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight. Morning sun is more beneficial than evening sun. In warmer climates, we recommend providing some shade in the afternoon to help the plant during hot summer days.
To prune the Lime Rickey Hydrangea, do so in early spring right as new growth begins to appear. Trim ⅓ of the total height of the bush. This not only helps the stems become stronger, it will also help encourage new growth and help flowers flourish all year.
Fertilize in early spring before new growth starts to emerge and before you prune. Use a slow release fertilizer that is designed for woody plants such as roses or trees.
Lime Rickey Hydrangea Spacing
Plant the Lime Rickey Hydrangea 4 to 5 feet apart, center on center. If you choose to use the Lime Rickey as a hedge, plant these 40 to 48 inches apart, center on center. These also do well in garden containers. Use the same spacing requirements in containers if you choose to plant more than 1 in a pot.
Lime Rickey® Hydrangea Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 4-5 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-5 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Green
- Flower Description
- Green
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Winter Interest, 3 Season Interest, 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Lime Rickey® Hydrangea
- Botanical Name
- Hydrangea arborescens 'SMNHALR' USPP 28,858
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Mophead Hydrangea
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!