The Smooth Hydrangea arborescens variation most commonly found is called Annabelle. This is the only Hydrangea arborescens variety that was formerly simple to find at garden centres or even known to the general public.
Beautiful white blooms with heads that are frequently larger than 10″ are produced by Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea. Annabelle flowers every year, even after harsh pruning or bitterly cold winters, unlike the more well-known blue and pink hydrangeas (macrophyllas). The enormous, white “drumstick” blossoms consistently sprout in abundance. ‘Annabelle’ is sometimes grown as a hedge since it may be severely pruned for a clean appearance in the winter.
Both in both hot and cold climates, “Annabelle” puts on a stunning performance. There have been indications that it can survive in American Zones 2 and 3. (officially rated to to Zone 3). In reality, eastern regions of the United States are home to varieties of Hydrangea arborescens. ‘Annabelle’ would be a fantastic substitute if your climate makes it difficult to cultivate macrophyllas.
Is Annabelle a Hydrangea paniculata?
Rarely does a plant’s cultivar name enter common use; examples include “Peace” for roses and “Stella d’Oro” for daylilies. Say “Annabelle,” though, and everyone will understand that you are referring about hydrangeas.
Similar to panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata), ‘Annabelle’, a smooth or wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), blooms on the growth of the present season.
‘Annabelle’, a hydrangea with a fascinating past (more on that in a moment), has come to represent the entire genus, the famous hydrangea that can be found in every neighbourhood and is still frequently requested by name decades after it initially gained notoriety.
In this issue of Smart Gardener, we examine the recent proliferation of new hydrangea cultivars and pose the following query to Andrew Bunting, who recently joined our team as assistant director and director of plant collections:
Bunting has a lot to say about it; he just penned two hydrangea cover articles for The American Gardener magazine, one for the May/June 2015 issue and the other for the May/June 2014 issue.
With good reason, “Annabelle” has been planted—possibly even excessively, according to Bunting. “Every nursery stocks it, it’s fantastic for cut flowers, it’s quite inexpensive, and it’s winter hardy to USDA Zone 3. And to top it all off, it’s an Illinois native cultivar, or “nativar.”
The vast majority of the new cultivars, hybrids, and series that are currently available in all hydrangea categories, according to Bunting, “would function as a ‘Annabelle’ update.”
Two of “Annabelle’s” distant cousins, Incrediball and Invincibelle Spirit, are at the top of his list. The stronger stems of the former have been bred to support its even larger than “Annabelle” flower heads. Incrediball is visible in the front bed of the English Walled Garden, at the pepper pot, while “Annabelle” surrounds the north steps of the Regenstein Center.
Beginning with a Hydrangea arborescens that had a hint of pink, Invincibelle Spirit was painstakingly bred repeatedly until it was completely pink. It is now known as “the pink ‘Annabelle,'” and you can currently view it at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, underneath the grape arbour, to admire its exquisite beauty.
Watch for more in the Invincibelle Spirit collection, according to Bunting, including hydrangeas with a darker maroon hue.
This category already has two well-known hydrangeas: “Limelight,” with its pointed, lime-white-pink flowers, and “Grandiflora,” the traditional variety affectionately known as PeeGee (short for paniculatagrandiflora). The news in the panicle category is dwarf stature because height and pruning can be problems (the panicle variety “Limelight” can grow up to 8 feet tall).
Consider Little LimeTM to be a miniature “Limelight.” It blooms on new wood like panicles do, reaches a manageable height of 3 to 5 feet, and is hardy to USDA Zone 3. This attractive garden shrub turns pink in the fall and lime in the summer. See a lovely patch of them in the Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden, which is right across the Trellis Bridge.
Regarding this dwarf panicle, Bunting states, “‘Dharuma’ is one among my favourites. One of the earliest bloomers, it is covered with light, white to pink blooms in July. It will only be 4 feet wide and 3 feet tall after five years. Get a nice look at it in the seating area across from the Circle Garden, which is located directly outside the Regenstein Center.
Snow QueenTM is the pinnacle of this renowned group. It is regal in stature at 6 feet tall, has the attractive oak-shaped leaves that set this category apart, and blooms lavishly with white flowers that turn pink while luring butterflies. We planted them along the parking lot of the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center because they have beautiful fall leaves, which is another reason.
The oakleaf hydrangeas are getting smaller, just like panicles. Two of the lesser hybrids may be found right outside the Graham Bulb Garden: ‘Pee Wee’ is renowned for its 3-by-3 size and intriguing winter seedheads, while ‘Alice’ stands a little higher and attracts attention with its arching blossoms and magnificent leaf colour, especially in the fall.
The dwarf hybrid of Snow QueenTM and “Pee Wee” known as “Ruby Slippers” features white blossoms that develop to a gorgeous ruby red.
These are the exquisite and delicate lacecap hydrangeas, which are a little more fragile for our region. Look to your left, just before you cross the bridge over the Fruit and Vegetable Garden, where ‘Tiara’ and ‘Beni gaku’ are both planted in the shade. They are ideal for shady garden beds and borders because they are smaller in size (approximately 4 feet), and their leaves and flowers are also smaller. In contrast to ‘Tiara,’ which has showy white lacecaps with purple-red edges on the young foliage and mauve to blue blooms, ‘Beni gaku’ has showy reddish-pink edges on the older foliage.
Several varieties of H. serrata are cultivated outside in the west collection, next to the outer road, and beneath the trees. Two of these are quite lovely.
Even though it barely grows to a height of 2 feet, Tiny Tuff StuffTM is a stunner with bright pink blossoms (which would turn blue in more acidic soils). Another favourite of the Bunting, “Miyama-Yae-Murasaki,” a double-flowered lacecap with a wonderful floating look, is close by.
Bunting attributes the comeback of hydrangeas to these mopheads. “He says in The American Gardener that bigleaf hydrangeas were highly popular in the 1930s and 1940s but later became associated with being “old-fashioned.” “Their popularity has recently experienced a resurgence, which is likely the result of two related circumstances coming together. The plant was highlighted in Martha Stewart Living magazine about 15 years ago. Hydrangeas experienced a surge of fresh interest literally over night. And in 2004, Endless Summer (also known as “Bailmer”) was made available by St. Paul, Minnesota-based Bailey Nurseries.”
Bigleaf hydrangeas from the Endless Summer line, according to Bunting, are ideal for Chicago gardens. They are all remontant, or re-blooming, hence their name, and are well-proportioned for city gardens at 3 to 5 feet. A godsend in severe winters or for overzealous pruners, all bloom on both old and new wood. Here are a few varieties to research: Blushing Bride, Twist-n-Shout, and Bloomstruck TM.
The Lavin Evaluation Garden beds are the top spot to see hydrangeas. Many of the newest and greatest varieties are being compared there by plant evaluation manager Richard Hawke, and they are all in flower this summer. It’s an incredible opportunity to view pinks, whites, and blues, large shrubs, and small hybrids, all together. These are just a few of the things you’ll see:
Does Annabelle hydrangea have huge leaves?
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea) is a superb flowering shrub that is well-liked by many gardeners. This tiny, bushy deciduous shrub produces enormous, spherical flower clusters, up to 12 inches across (30 cm), in the early summer that animate the garden and brighten dark regions. The flowers open lime-green, mature to brilliant white, then turn back to pale green in late summer before changing to a tan colour in the fall. They can bloom for up to two months. Annabelle is a great option for the mixed border and is highly regarded for its superior resilience to pests and diseases. Fresh or dried, the blossoms make excellent cut flowers.
- recipient of the esteemed Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society and The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Gold Medal Award.
- reaches heights of 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) and a width of 4–6 feet (120-180 cm).
- performs best in partial or full shade (the hotter the climate, the more shade is needed). Best cultivated on medium soils with consistent, well-drained moisture. If there is constant moisture present, full sun is tolerated.
- The ideal backdrop for your favourite perennials, beautiful planted as a flowering hedge, ideal for shrub or mixed borders.
- Aphids, capsid bugs, hydrangea scale, and leaf spots should all be watched out for.
- little to no pruning is necessary. Smooth Hydrangea must be pruned in late winter or early spring to promote brisk development because it blooms on new wood. The flowerheads will get bigger the more you prune, even to the ground.
- Ingestion may result in a minor stomach ache, and coming into contact with foliage may make skin allergies worse. When handling, put on gloves and other protective gear.
Are Annabelle hydrangeas evergreen in the summer?
I made the decision to plant a flowerbed next to my screened porch several years ago. I wanted a low-maintenance planting that would offer a lovely view from the screened porch and the enclosed garden, which are the two places where we entertain the most. For this east-facing side of the home, a hedge of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ with underplantings of two kinds of green and white hostas was the ideal choice.
I take pleasure in a lovely border that lasts through the last weeks of autumn as soon as the bright green hydrangeas and variegated hostas leaf out in May. Early June sees the appearance of the hydrangea’s lime green buds, which open to reveal enormous white snowball flowers that can measure up to 12 across. The flowers bloom throughout the entire summer, before going back to a delicate green in the early fall and drying to a tawny brown in the winter. The billowy hydrangea blooms are a fantastic accompaniment to my 100-year-old house, and the whole effect is luxuriant yet peaceful.
Why choose the traditional Annabelle hydrangea when there are so many different types available in nurseries? My choice was simple because I had planted Annabelle in another area of the garden for numerous years. Annabelle truly lives up to its reputation for being minimal maintenance, having a lengthy bloom, and not having any major insect or disease issues. In ordinary, well-drained soil in partial shade, Annabelle is simply grown. It can also thrive in fairly deep shade and full sun, though it won’t produce as many flowers in such conditions if they are not exposed to drought. I watered my new hydrangeas frequently the first summer after planting to help them get established. Since then, they haven’t received any further water, and they look fantastic all summer.
Our native Hydrangea arborescens has a really gorgeous cultivar called Annabelle that has flowers that are significantly larger than the natural. A naturally occuring cultivar named Annabelle was found in the wild in Anna, Illinois. It is a 3-5′ tall deciduous shrub with broad, serrated leaves and a rounded shape. It is advised for zones 3-9. It is exceptionally cold-tolerant. Best of all, Annabelle blooms on fresh wood, unlike many other hydrangeas. This is a tremendous benefit for gardeners in the north. Why hydrangeas do not consistently bloom is a question I am frequently asked. Many hydrangeas develop their flower buds on the growth from the previous year, and these buds freeze over the winter, preventing the development of flowers the following year.
Many hydrangea species are prone to bacterial wilt, leaf spot, mildew, and bud blight, but Annabelle has exceptional resilience to these ailments. Despite the relatively sturdy branches of Annabelle, the weight of the blossoms, particularly after a rainstorm, can cause the flowers to droop. Staking, low fencing, grouping multiple plants together, and late-fall or early-spring trimming can all be used to fix this. For winter interest, I like to leave the dried flower heads on the plants. In the spring, I trim the stems down to about 18 inches. At this time, I also get rid of any stems that are dead or have roots that can be used in other parts of the garden. This results in plants with sturdy stems and maintains the size of my shrubs at a manageable level.
The Annabelle hydrangea can be utilised in the garden in a variety of ways, including as a hedge, a specimen, to kerb erosion, and in rain gardens. It’s also my go-to place to get dried and cut flowers. I’ve been propagating my shrubs to enhance my supply because it is so beautiful and useful. The simplest technique is to cut out rooted side stems in early spring, especially before they leaf out, using pruners or a sharp spade. These are often grown for a year in a nursery bed, where they have access to the best soil, extra care, and water. Softwood cuttings that are 6 to 8 inches long and soaked in rooting powder in May or June can also root well. Try Annabelle hydrangea and see why it’s arguably the most well-liked flowering shrub in American gardens; it’s commonly accessible in garden centres and in friends’ gardens.
What distinguishes hydrangeas called Annabelle and Incrediball?
Known scientifically as Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ Incrediball, the Incrediball hydrangea is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub. It is a hardy cultivar of the smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) that blooms on new wood, similar to Annabelle hydrangea, but Incrediball has stronger branches and larger flower heads than Annabelle. The cultivar name is “Abetwo,” while “Incrediball”—not “incredible”—is the name of a trademark. The name “Incrediball” was probably created to emphasise the amazing size (up to 12 inches) of the floral “balls.”
Incrediball hydrangea plants have a variety of uses in the landscape. These shrubs are attractive enough to be used alone as specimen plants because of their large, rounded, highly serrated, dark green leaves. Some gardeners decide to grow them in large quantities to make a border along a property boundary, while others include them into foundation plantings. Although they produce larger flower heads in full sun than in partial shade, their tolerance to shadow makes them appropriate for woodland gardens. Butterflies are drawn to plants called Incredible Ball Hydrangeas.
These shrubs are often planted in the fall and are thought to grow quickly. They should survive for 20 years under ideal circumstances.
Hydrangin, a substance found in hydrangeas, is poisonous to both people and animals like dogs, cats, and horses.
Hydrangea Annabelle: is it invasive?
Hydrangeas named Annabelle were planted by us a while back. They intrusive, in my opinion. I planted Annabelle in the summer of 2019 after they sent out roots.