Growth Rate
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- Speed: Moderate growth rate.
- Mature Size: Grows to about 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide, forming a rounded, compact shrub.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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No |
Cold Tolerant
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No |
Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
Drought Tolerant
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No |
Deer Resistant
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Yes |
Edible
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No |
Wildlife Attraction
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- Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
- Wildlife: Deer-resistant, making it a great option for areas prone to deer activity.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Season: Spring through Fall
- Flowering Season: Midsummer through fall
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
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Ideal For
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🏡 Foundation Plantings- Ideal for placing near homes, walls, or fences due to its compact size (approx. 3–4 ft tall and wide) and upright form.
🌸 Mixed Shrub or Perennial Borders- Provides bold seasonal interest and color shift from summer through fall, working beautifully in sunny borders.
🪴 Container Gardening- Its neat growth and striking flower transitions make it an excellent feature in large patio pots or terrace planters.
🎨 Accent or Specimen Plant- The luminous lime flowers make it a natural focal point, especially in modern, tropical-inspired, or small-space designs.
💐 Cut Flower and Dried Flower Gardens- Strong, upright stems support long-lasting blooms that are excellent for cutting fresh or drying.
🦋 Pollinator-Friendly Plantings- Fertile florets in the panicle attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, adding ecological value.
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Leaf Description
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- Color: Dark green, serrated leaves provide a rich backdrop for the lime-green flowers, adding to the plant's tropical appeal.
- Shape: Broad, oval leaves with textured surfaces and serrated edges.
- Size: Leaves are approximately 3-5 inches long, forming a full, dense appearance.
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Flower Description
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- Color: Large panicles of vibrant lime-green flowers emerge in midsummer and slowly transition to soft pink tones as the season progresses.
- Bloom Time: Blooms from midsummer into fall, providing continuous color throughout the warmer months.
- Size of Blooms: The flowers form elongated clusters, measuring up to 8-10 inches long.
- Fragrance: Lightly fragrant, adding a subtle freshness to your garden.
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Planting Instructions
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- Best Time to Plant: Plant in early spring or fall, allowing the shrub to establish roots before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.
Planting Instructions: - Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter. While it can adapt to a variety of soil types, it thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soils.
- Spacing: Space plants 3-4 feet apart to allow room for growth and air circulation.
- Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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- Pruning Needs: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Mojito® blooms on new wood, so pruning encourages new growth and abundant flowers.
- Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage continued flowering.
- Winter Care: This hydrangea is winter-hardy, but mulching around the base in colder zones helps protect the roots from extreme cold.
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Water Needs
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- Watering Frequency: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly in hotter climates.
- Drought Tolerance: Moderately drought-tolerant once established, but for best results, ensure consistent moisture.
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Light Needs
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- Preferred Light: Full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, Mojito® benefits from afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.
- Tolerates: More sunlight than many other hydrangeas, making it suitable for sunnier garden spots with adequate moisture.
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Harvesting
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💐 For Fresh Cut Arrangements- When the cone-shaped blooms are fully open and starting to mature—usually mid to late summer.
- Cut in the morning when plants are hydrated.
- Use clean, sharp pruners to cut just above a leaf node.
- Remove lower leaves and place immediately in water.
- For longer vase life, use floral preservative and recut stems every 2–3 days.
🌾 For Drying- When to Cut:
- When blooms begin to age and feel papery, often late summer to early fall.
- Blooms will retain green, blush, or rose tones depending on stage and drying conditions.
- Drying Method:
- Remove all leaves.
- Hang upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space, or
- Place upright in a dry vase without water.
- Takes about 1–2 weeks to fully dry.
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Fertilizing
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- When to Fertilize: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth starts. A second application after the first bloom can promote continuous flowering.
- Type of Fertilizer: Use a general-purpose fertilizer or one formulated for hydrangeas
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Additional Care Tips
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- Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Pests: Generally pest-free, though aphids, spider mites, and slugs can occasionally affect it. If needed, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Disease: Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Ensure proper spacing to promote air circulation.
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Pollination
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- Hydrangea paniculata Mojito® is self-pollinating, and its vibrant blooms attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.
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Companion Plants
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Hydrangea 'Mojito' grows best in full sun to part sun, in moist, well-drained soil. Its bright coloring pairs well with both bold and subtle textures and tones. 🌿 Foliage & Texture Companions- Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’ – echoes Mojito’s lime bloom tones and provides continuous foliage color.
- Carex ‘Evergold’ – variegated ornamental grass that softens edges and enhances contrast.
- Hosta spp. – in part shade conditions, hostas add lush texture at the base.
🌸 Blooming Companions- Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower) – upright summer blooms in purple or white pair perfectly with Mojito’s green-to-pink palette.
- Salvia nemorosa – spiky violet blooms provide cool contrast.
- Nepeta (Catmint) – low mounding habit and blue flowers create a soft, aromatic base.
🌾 Structural Companions- Boxwood (Buxus spp.) – evergreen form provides year-round structure behind or beside Mojito’s seasonal blooms.
- Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) – vertical grass pairs well in sunny borders for a dynamic summer-to-fall display.
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