Annabelle Hydrangea – 3 Gallon Pot

Growth Habit / Form:  Rounded Mound

Flower Color:  White

Flower Size:  1″ flowers in HUGE! 8-12″ diameter rounded clusters

A North American native, ‘Annabelle’ is a smooth Hydrangea variety that produces much larger flowers than the species. During summer, stunning, HUGE rounded flower clusters of 8 to 12 inches in diameter nearly cover 3 to 5 feet tall and wide rounded mound of dark green 4 to 8 inch long serrated leaves. Sometimes there’s a rebloom in fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting and display in flower arrangements. Unlike some of the mophead hydrangeas (H, macrophylla), Annabelle reliably produces her blooms every year, even after severe pruning or intensely cold winters. She prefers life on the partially shaded side and is extremely cold hardy to -40F. Morning and evening sun are fine but give her a break from the direct afternoon sun. At 3 to 5 feet tall and equally as wide depending on pruning and climate, Annabelle is a fine choice for a specimen, in groupings or as a natural hedge. 

Annabelle Hydrangea is very easy to grow. It adapts well to most any average garden soil, preferring moist but well drained conditions. It does not like the soil to completely dry out, at least not in or north central Georgia gardens. So, if there’s a drought you might need to give the plant an occasionally deep soaking. As with so many other ornamental shrubs, constantly wet soil can cause problems with the roots. Annabelle likes growing in part shade. Sun at any time of the day other than the hot midafternoon hours is fine. We suggest at least 4 hours of direct sunlight for best blooming. Does not require pruning but responds well to it for shaping/hedges and size control. Annabelle is unique in that she can be hard-pruned during winter and will still bloom her socks off in summer. During a harsh northern winter, plants may die back to the ground. Since it blooms on new wood, this die-back won’t effect bloom. Simply prune any dead plant parts back to the ground. Smooth hydrangeas produce much larger blooms when pruned to the ground. Best if pruned in late winter or very early spring.

For proper pruning time and techniques on various types of Hydrangea see: How To Prune Various Types of Hydrangea