Add Some Lime Zest to Your Garden with Full Sun Lime Green Shrubs

A lime green shrub can add a fun pop of color to brighten up any outdoor space. Their vibrant chartreuse foliage stands out beautifully against other plants and hardscapes. While many shrubs need some shade protection to maintain their bright lime hues, there are quite a few excellent options that can take full sun exposure.

When planted in the right spot these full sun lime green shrubs will glow brightly transforming a boring landscape into an electrifying garden. Read on for our top recommendations for lime green shrubs that thrive in full sun.

Why Go for Lime?

Before getting into the specifics. let’s look at why lime green shrubs are so special

• Vibrant color – Their neon green foliage adds striking color impact, especially when paired with darker greens or reds They create an energetic, lively look.

• Good contrast – The lime color contrasts beautifully against most other flower and foliage colors. This makes the whole garden look more vibrant.

• ** Brighten shady areas** – Chartreuse plants add light and brightness to partly shaded areas that would otherwise look dull.

• Draw attention – Strategically placed lime shrubs naturally draw the eye, directing attention to a focal point.

• No blooms needed – You get lovely color without flowers. Their foliage provides constant color all season.

• Versatile uses – Lime shrubs work beautifully in beds, borders, container gardens, and more.

With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why it’s worth seeking out full sun lime shrubs. Now let’s look at some star options.

10 Terrific Full Sun Lime Green Shrubs

Here are some of the best lime-colored shrubs that can take full sun exposure:

1. St. John’s Wort ‘Limelight’

This easy-care shrub lights up the garden with bright chartreuse leaves that have a hint of red on the edges when they first emerge in spring. Pretty yellow flowers add more color in summer. Grows 3-4 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 5-8.

2. Spirea ‘Little Princess’

A compact, low-maintenance shrub with wiry lime-green leaves that form a neat, rounded shape. Clusters of white blooms appear in late spring. Grows 2-3 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 4-8.

3. Barberry ‘Golden Nugget’

One of the smallest on our list, this little barberry grows slowly into a bright golden mound about 2 feet high and wide. Its colorful foliage works beautifully in rock gardens. Hardy in zones 4-8.

4. Caryopteris ‘Limelight’

This compact caryopteris lights up borders and containers with its glowing chartreuse leaves and cloud-like clusters of blue flowers in late summer to fall. Grows 30 inches tall and wide. Hardy in zones 5-9.

5. Smokebush ‘Golfstream’

Lime-chartreuse leaves emerge on this popular smokebush in spring, eventually maturing to shades of orange and red for a fiery fall display. Airy plumes of tiny flowers appear in summer. Grows 6 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 5-8.

6. Heavenly Bamboo ‘Lemon Lime’

A lush evergreen shrub with fantastic lime and lemon striped foliage for year-round brightness and color. White flowers tinged with pink appear in late summer. Grows 3-4 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 6-9.

7. Abelia ‘Rose Creek’

This glossy-leafed abelia gives you vivid golden spring growth followed by dainty light pink blooms all summer long. It has a graceful, mounded form and grows 3-4 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 5-9.

8. Copper Canyon Daisy ‘Limelight’

Buttery chartreuse daisy-like blooms shine brightly on this drought-tolerant perennial shrub from spring through fall. The fine lime foliage provides a lovely backdrop. Grows 2-3 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 5-9.

9. Mock Orange ‘Avalanche’

This mock orange lights up shady spots with its vibrant golden spring leaves that contrast beautifully with the pure white, wonderfully fragrant flowers. Grows 6-8 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 5-8.

10. Tulip Tree

A nicely shaped ornamental tree that fills out with big, lime-green leaves that shine brightly from spring to fall. Grows 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Hardy in zones 4-9. Lovely as a backyard accent tree.

Designing with Lime Shrubs

Now that you have a good list to choose from, how do you effectively work these lime beauties into your landscape design? Here are some tips:

• Plant them where their color will stand out and pop against darker greens. Near a fence or structure works well.

• Use them as colorful filler plants amongst brighter flowering shrubs and perennials. The lime makes the other colors shine.

• Plant in groups of 3 or 5 for maximum color impact.

• Use them in block plantings alternating with purple leaf shrubs and perennials for a dramatic contrast.

• Work some into a mixed border or cottage garden bed to electrify the display.

• Use the smaller varieties in containers paired with flowers or foliage in complementing colors.

• Prune lime shrubs as needed to maintain their compact shape and brightly colored new growth.

With the right placement, lime shrubs can take your garden from blah to ta-dah! It’s amazing what a little zing of chartreuse can do. With this list of full sun options, you are sure to find just the right lime shrubs to give your outdoor space a vibrant energy boost.