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Annabelle Hydrangeas

Annabelle hydrangeas make a wonderful addition to a shady spot. Bright green leaves serve as a nice backdrop to the show of white flower clusters most of the summer. The flower clusters, known as mopheads, grow from 8 to 12 inches in diameter.

This hydrangea begins to bloom in June and puts on a great show for up to two months. There is sometimes a smaller repeat bloom in the fall. The deciduous shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall. The leaves grow from 3 to 8 inches long.

It is native to the southern United States. This cultivar occurs naturally. The flowers are excellent choices for cut arrangements and for drying. This is an easy plant to care for, it blooms profusely from the first year and it remains in bloom for a long time.

Landscaping Ideas

Annabelle hydrangeas work well in borders, hedges, as foundation plantings or accents in your landscape. They look lovely in a mixed shrub border or in a mixed grouping in the middle of a lawn. They are a popular old-fashioned bush that fits well into many landscape styles.

This hydrangea offers three seasons of interest. It blooms in summer, it still looks interesting in the fall and in the winter, the winter seed head left from the spent blossoms becomes magical when frost enhances it.

Caring for your Annabella

Annabelle hydrangeas are easy to care for. They tolerate shade, heat and humidity. About the only thing they are fussy about is water. They do not tolerate drought.

Plant in an area where they can get shade from the hot afternoon sun. You will be thanked with long lasting blooms. Water regularly to prevent wilting.

Prune in either late fall or early spring to get larger blooms. If you prefer numerous smaller blooms, let it grown. Propagate with seed or softwood cuttings in the spring or hardwood cuttings in the winter.

This plant is prone to issues with slugs, gray mold, powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust and ringspot virus. Cut flowers for bouquets or to dry for dried arrangements.

Annabella Information

Scientific Name: Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

Best Soil: Medium, well drained soil though it is somewhat adaptable; not drought tolerant

Light: Part shade; sun in cooler areas

Growth Rate: Fast

Foilage: Green

Fall Color: Insignificant

Bloom: White clusters that reach up to 12 inches in diameter

Mature Size and Shape: Grows 3 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide in a mounding fashion

Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9

Plant Spacing: Plant 3 feet apart for a hedge

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