Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle'   –   Smooth Hydrangea

‘Annabelle’ is an outstanding hydrangea variety. A favourite among many gardeners, and noted for its prolific display of huge flower heads – up to 30cm across – that breathe life into shady areas of the garden.

Blooming from late spring through summer, the initially lime-coloured flowers mature to a brilliant white, then return to a pale green in late summer.

This deciduous shrub is wonderful as a backdrop to lower growing perennials, and is often grown as a flowering hedge.

Hydrangea arborescens varieties bloom on new wood, and a hard pruning in late winter or early spring will encourage vigorous growth and larger flower heads.

Prefers dappled shade, but arborescens varieties like ‘Annabelle’ can tolerate more sun exposure than macrophylla varieties. Even full sun can be tolerated if the soil is continuously kept moist.

A vigorous grower, with excellent resistance to insects and disease. Grows 1-1.8 m tall with a spread of 1-1.8 m.

Granted an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.