Besides the hosta, crape myrtle, magnolia, sedums, and knock out roses, what plants in my garden are performing beautifully through the drought, the severe storms, and the high temperatures of late July and August and showing no signs of stress and not a bit of stage fright?

It has to be our tough, drought resistant limelight hydrangeas. After the native oak leaf hydrangeas have taken their final bow and the colorful macrophylla or mopheads have exited stage left, the stars of the late summer theater take center stage under the bright, hot lights of August. The blooms of the limelight begin as a show stopping fluffy white with a touch of green, then turn a chartreuse color followed by pink blush in the fall.

In morning sun garden and in our part shade gardens, in loamy soil or not, in heat or drought, the blooms dance and sing and perform for us from dawn to dusk. They are as graceful as a ballerina yet strong enough to hold the enormous clusters of blooms high on sturdy stems.

Bravo! These wonderful performers deserve a standing ovation on a daily basis.

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3 -8

Bloom Time: Begins in late July through first frost.

Bloom color:  Soft lime green

Fall color: Green with a tinge of pink.

Size: My 3 year old plants are 6 feet wide, 6 feet high and still growing!

Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Soil: Prefers loamy soil but adaptable.

Pruning: Best if done in late fall or early spring. It blooms on new wood. For larger blooms, it can cut back hard.

Watering: Medium.