🌼 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ – Smooth Hydrangea

A beloved deciduous shrub, Annabelle is known for its huge, show-stopping mophead blooms and long season of interest. Discovered near Anna, Ohio, this fast-growing, rounded shrub is ideal for mixed borders, cottage gardens, or as a specimen. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit for outstanding performance.

🌸 Flowers:

• Bloom time: July through autumn

• Size: Enormous 30 cm (12") flower heads

• Colour change: Opens greenish-white, turns creamy-white, then fades to lime green, brownish green, and finally a soft beige

• Winter interest: Dried blooms catch frost and low light beautifully

🌿 Foliage:

• Colour: Lead-green leaves appear later than most hydrangeas

• Autumn: Leaves take on reddish tints before falling

📍 Growing Conditions:

• Site: Prefers a sheltered position

• Soil: Any reasonably well-drained, moist, fertile soil; best in acid to neutral conditions

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Hardiness: Fully hardy

• Feeding tip: Avoid overfeeding to prevent flower heads from drooping

📏 Size at Maturity:

• Height: 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft)

• Spread: 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft)

✅ RHS Award of Garden Merit

🪴 Availability:

• Supplied as: Potted shrub in 2L container