Brighten up your home, garden, or outdoor space with stunning hydrangeas. The gorgeous flowers are large and showcase a stunning range of colors. A brief walk through your local nursery to look at the dizzying array of colors will leave you in awe. But it may also feel a little overwhelming. With so many fantastic options available right at your fingertips, how do you decide which one(s) to bring home?
Hopefully, this article will help you narrow down your search. In it, we explore two hydrangea cultivars — Little Lime (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’) and Bobo (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ilvobo’ Bobo®). You will learn how the two flowers differ, along with many shared characteristics. And once you finish reading, you may know which hydrangea you want to bring home!
Little Lime vs. Bobo Hydrangea: Comparison
Since Little Lime and Bobo are both paniculata cultivars, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between them. Thankfully, there are enough unique characteristics you can fully appreciate each plant individually. The chart below takes a look at how some of these traits compare.
| Little Lime | Bobo | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Classification | Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’ | Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ilvobo’ Bobo® |
| Common Name(s) | Little Lime, Jane | Bobo® panicle hydrangea, panicle hydrangea |
| Origins | Japan and China | Japan and China |
| Size | It will grow between 3 to 5 feet tall, with an equivalent spread. | May grow wider than taller. Its spread is 3-4 feet, and its height is 2-3 feet. |
| Leaves | Deep green, oval, slightly pointy leaves. They do not change color with fall, retaining their green hue throughout the season. | Rough texture. Dark green in color, serrated, and ovate or oval. They reach roughly 2.5 inches long. |
| Flowers | Beautiful flowers ranging from green to pink/burgundy bloom from July through September. Conical shape clusters. Their color changes with age. Bloom on new wood. | When they bloom in summer, the blossoms are large and white. They may turn light pink by the end of their life. The flowers bloom between June and August. The flowers are so large that if the branches are not pruned, the stems will get a downward arch. They grow up to 6-8” long, are conical, and are slightly pointed. |
| Growing Requirements | This deciduous shrub is hardy in Zones 3-8. It needs full sun to partial shade. Due to their size, you can grow them in containers if you wish. Moist soil, but are otherwise low maintenance. Add a few inches of mulch around the base to protect it in areas with large temperature fluctuations. | A deciduous shrub hardy in Zones 3-8. It needs well-draining, rich, and moist soil. Can tolerate full sun or partial shade. |
| Fun Facts | Feel free to trim some flowers to add to your vase. | Can withstand more cold than any other hydrangea. |
Both Little Lime (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’) and Bobo (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ilvobo’ Bobo®) hydrangeas belong to the paniculata species. They are lovely and unique cultivars. All hydrangeas are members of the Hydrangeaceae family. There are nearly 20 genera in the family, with 260 species of flowering plants nestled inside. (Though the total number of genera and species may vary slightly depending on who you ask).
While Little Lime and Bobo have many similarities, there are also a couple of differences. Those are their leaves and flowers. We explore these two categories more in depth below. Then, we will look at guidelines for caring for your hydrangea plant.
Little Lime hydrangea flowers feature drastic color variations.
©Rif Creative/Shutterstock.com
Little Lime vs. Bobo Hydrangea: Leaves
As paniculata cultivars, it would be easy to assume that the leaves of these two beautiful plants are the same. However, they do have some distinct differences.
Little Lime hydrangea leaves are a deep, rich green. Plus, they retain their lush foliage even outside the growing season. And the leaves do not change color in the fall so you can be assured of fabulous greenery year-round. Additionally, they are oval and have a slight point to them.
On the other hand, Bobo hydrangea leaves range from ovate to oval. They are serrated and have a rough texture to the touch. Expect to be treated with dark green leaves under the bright flowers of your Bobo plant.
Little Lime vs. Bobo Hydrangea: Flowers
Your Little Lime flowers bloom fresh each year on new growth. So, feel free to prune back the old wood. You won’t miss out on any blossoms. The stunning flowers showcase a range of colors. They vary from green to pink/burgundy bloom and change with age. Expect to enjoy your lovely, conical-shaped flowers starting from July through September.
Bobo hydrangea flowers are large, conical, slightly pointed, and arrive a little earlier in the summer, in June. You will be treated to their beautiful color until around August or September. The flowers start white. But by the end of their life cycle, they may develop a slight pink hue. And while no one wants to lose precious flowers, you may consider keeping your Bobo plant tightly pruned. The flowers are so large (6-8” long) that if too many grow, the sturdy branches will begin drooping.
Bobo hydrangea flowers start to turn pink as they age
©anovva/Shutterstock.com
How to Care for Your Hydrangeas
There are standard care guidelines, whether you have settled on one hydrangea over the other (or decided to splurge for both).
Little Lime and Bobo hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that are winter hardy in Zones 3-8. So, if you live in one of these climates, feel free to add them to your garden or outdoor space. You can plant multiple together to form a hedge or leave them as stand-alone beauties.
They tolerate conditions from full sun to partial shade. Additionally, they require nutrient-rich soil and have moderate watering needs. Your hydrangea will thrive as long as you keep the soil moist, but not boggy.
Consider adding a thick layer of mulch around the base if you live in a colder climate. This layer will help protect the roots in chilly weather.
Soil amendments are not vital for your Little Lime or Bobo hydrangea. However, if you want to plant your hydrangea in a container, you will need to feed it periodically. A balanced liquid fertilizer should do the trick. Apply it approximately every month during the peak growing season. You can reduce use during the winter.
And finally, pruning is optional. Since the flower buds form on new growth, you may consider pruning back the old growth to make more room. You can also keep your hydrangea pruned back to a specific size if you are short on space. If you do choose to prune, do so in the late spring or early summer before your flowers arrive.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © imamchits/Shutterstock.com
Sources
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Available here: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=273280
- Calloways, Available here: https://www.calloways.com/little-lime-hydrangea/
- Arboretum Explorer, Available here: https://dawesarb.arboretumexplorer.org/taxon-22872.aspx
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Available here: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=274259#:~:text=Hydrangea%20paniculata%2C%20commonly%20called%20panicle,native%20to%20China%20and%20Japan
How to Add Us to Google News
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do you cut back Little Lime hydrangeas?
Since Little Lime hydrangea flowers bloom on new growth, you want to keep your plant pruned. Doing so will encourage healthier growth, an abundance of flowers, and improve overall strength. Prune in late winter or the start of spring.
What are little limes?
This new hydrangea is a dwarf form of the larger Limelight hydrangea.
Do you cut back Bobo Hydrangeas?
No, there is no need to prune Bobo hydrangeas. It is a dense, tightly compacted plant that will not sprawl. However, you can prune it into the desired shape. Opt for late spring pruning before new growth starts.
What can I plant next to Bobo Hydrangeas?
Since hydrangeas grow upright, they create a lovely shaded area underneath perfect for those shade-loving plants. Consider adding a perennial plant to this space. Two great options include coral bells and ferns.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
