Annabelle Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Other Names: Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea, Sevenbark Hydrangea

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-8b (South); 3a-9b (West – cool-summer climates) Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 3-5′

Width at Maturity: 3-5′

Growth Habit / Form: Rounded Mound

Flower Color: White

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

Flowering Period: Early through Late Summer, sometimes reblooms in Fall

Flower Type: Single in large clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Deep Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: NA

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Part Shade; Morning and/or Evening Sun with Filtered Sun or Shade in the Afternoon

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand (amend quick draining soils for moisture retention), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist but Well-Drained

Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0 (Moderately Acid to Moderately Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-40F / Zones 3-8 in South; Zones 3a-9b in West)

Description

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.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, the Annabelle Hydrangea is ideal as an accent or specimen in smaller garden spaces and foundation plantings, or in groupings or a a natural hedge where space allows. A fine addition to partially shaded woodland gardens, white gardens, Hydrangea gardens, cut flower gardens and cottage gardens.

Spacing: 4 feet apart for solid hedges; 8 feet or more for space between plants

Growing Preferences

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.

Note: Annabelle is a Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) that produces its flowers from buds on new wood the current years growth).

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

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Hydrangea shrubs.

How To Plant Hydrangeas In The Ground & Pots

How To Prune Various Types Of Hydrangea

How To Fertilize And Water Hydrangeas

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Questions? Contact Us

I received my Annabelle shrubs last week and planted them after watering them well. They are doing fantastic and I am thrilled to see how big and healthy they are! Wilson Bros Gardens will definitely be my “go to” place for shrubs and other plants. I bought other shrubs from them last year and they are doing very well, growing and thriving! ———————– WBG Reply: Hi Jolene – Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Annabelle Hydrangea and for the compliments. Glad to hear all of the plants you’ve purchased from us are doing well and we hope you enjoy this magnificent hydrangea for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Wow , such huge blooms. Really looks prety out in front of my house. Plant was such noce size and looked great when received.