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Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea)

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Hydrangea Arborescens Annabelle, Annabelle Hydrangea, Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea, Annabelle Wild Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea 'Annabelle', Wild Hydrangea 'Annabelle', Hydrangea 'Annabelle', White hydrangea, Hydrangea Bush
Hydrangea Arborescens Annabelle, Annabelle Hydrangea, Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea, Annabelle Wild Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea 'Annabelle', Wild Hydrangea 'Annabelle', Hydrangea 'Annabelle', White hydrangea, Hydrangea Bush

A favorite of many gardeners – and deservedly so – Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea) is an outstanding flowering shrub. In early summer, this small, bushy deciduous shrub produces huge, rounded flower clusters, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden. Blooming for up to two months, the blossoms open lime-green, mature to brilliant white, then back to pale green in late summer before switching to a tan shade in the fall. Prized for its excellent resistance to insects and diseases, Annabelle is a good choice for the mixed border. The flowers make great cut flowers, fresh or dried.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and winner of the Gold Medal Award of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 3-5 feet tall (90-150 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or dappled shade (the hotter the climate, the more shade is needed). Best grown in average, evenly moist, but well-drained soils. Full sun is tolerated if constant moisture is provided.
  • Perfect for shrub or mixed borders, wonderful planted as a flowering hedge, and excellent backdrop for your favorite perennials.
  • Keep an eye out for aphids, capsid bugs, hydrangea scale, leaf spot.
  • Requires little to no pruning. Since Smooth Hydrangea blooms on new wood, pruning has to happen in late winter or early spring to encourage vigorous growth. The harder you prune (even to the ground), the larger the flowerheads.
  • May cause mild stomach upset if ingested, and contact with foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings.
  • Hydrangea arborescens species is native to the eastern United States.

Hydrangea: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Hydrangea care: Cultivating these beautiful flowers requires attention and finesse to thrive. Here are some tips on how to plant and grow hydrangea successfully.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Hydrangeaceae
Genus Hydrangea
Common names Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 48" - 72"
(120cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Kardinal Violet’
Hydrangea macrophylla Wedding Gown™
Hydrangea serrata Tuff Stuff™ (Mountain Hydrangea)
Hydrangea macrophylla Cityline® Vienna
Hydrangea macrophylla Cityline® Venice
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blue Heaven’

Recommended Companion Plants

Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ (‘Autumn Joy’)
Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ (Giant Hyssop)
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)
Hosta ‘Patriot’ (Plantain Lily)
Athyrium (Lady Fern)
Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)

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Hydrangea serrata (Mountain Hydrangea)
Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea)
Hydrangea Types – Which one is yours?
Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea)
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea)
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Pacific Northwest Region
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Mid-Atlantic Region
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Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Lower South Region
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Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
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Hydrangea: Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Hydrangeaceae
Genus Hydrangea
Common names Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 48" - 72"
(120cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hydrangea
Guides with
Hydrangea
Not sure which Hydrangea to pick?
Compare Now

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    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

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