Do Annabelle hydrangeas like sun or shade?

‘Annabelle’ is most at home in partial shade and evenly moist but well-drained soil; she’ll grow in full sun if moisture is ample. Because she flowers heavily on the current season’s growth (“new wood”), most gardeners cut the stems to the ground in late winter.

What time of year do you prune Annabelle hydrangeas?

The best way to prune Annabelle Hydrangeas is by removing faded flowers and an inch or two of growth to promote a second round of gorgeous blooms. Don’t prune until around the end of September or beginning of October. Always wait until flowers have visibly faded before pruning them.

How quickly do Hydrangea Annabelle grow?

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ will grow to a height and spread of 2m / 7ft after four or five years. Without a shadow of doubt the main interest of this shrub is the large number of huge white flowers produced from late July to early September. In ideal conditions the flowers can reach 25cm / 10in across.

Does Annabelle hydrangea grow in shade?

In terms of siting ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea in the garden, aim for a spot that receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade. This is especially important in the South and West, where these pretty hydrangea shrubs can even thrive in all day high, dappled shade.

Are Annabelle hydrangeas invasive?

The term ‘invasive’ is most properly used to refer to non-native plants that demonstrate an ability to outcompete native plants in natural environments and therefore pose an ecological or economic threat. Annabelle hydrangeas do not meet any of these criteria.

Should I deadhead Annabelle hydrangea?

It’s perfectly OK to deadhead (remove spent blooms) your Annabelles any time. Annabelles can occasionally benefit from a hard pruning…but don’t do it every year. If your bushes are thin and leggy, or if your blooms are small, go ahead and hard prune in the late fall.

What happens if you don’t prune Annabelle hydrangeas?

However, avoid this drastic pruning if possible. It weakens the plant and, in time, the stalks of the hydrangea may need to be staked. From Alaska to California, from France’s Basque Country to Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Teo Spengler has dug the soil, planted seeds and helped trees, flowers and veggies thrive.

What can I plant next to Annabelle hydrangeas?

Most hydrangeas bloom from midsummer to fall, making them ideal partners for mixed flower borders. In this garden, a large ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea anchors a border packed with perennials and annuals. Other flowers here include begonia, sweet alyssum, Oxalis, phlox, sedum, Lythrum, Torenia, and marigold.

What looks good with Annabelle hydrangea?

Grow “Annabelle” hydrangeas as a backdrop for colorful perennials, such as blue irises or pink petunias. They are also perfect when grown in a row as a hedge, particularly in front of a colorful background, such as a blue or yellow house or garage.

Do Annabelle hydrangeas spread?

Given that they grow between 3 and 5 feet tall, Annabelle hydrangeas already take up a lot of room. However, they also usually spread between 4 and 6 feet, so they need a lot of space to fully expand during their active growth period. When using one of these options, plant your hydrangea bushes 5 to 6 feet apart.

How do you keep Annabelle hydrangea from spreading?

In order to prevent the plant from flopping over, you want to start by watering at the bottom of the shrub and never on top. If you water on top it will fill your flowers with extra water and that will cause the flowers themselves to fall over which can damage the stems and the branches.

How big does a Annabelle Hydrangea plant get?

‘Annabelle’ is a smooth hydrangea cultivar which features much larger flowers than the species. It is a deciduous shrub with a rounded habit which typically grows 3-5′ tall. Clusters of sterile, white flowers appear in huge, symmetrical, rounded heads (corymbs) which typically grow 8-12″ across.

What kind of wire to use for Annabelle Hydrangea?

Garden centers often sell short (18″), green wire fencing for lining flower beds. Cut these into lengths that would encircle the base of the Annabelle (sort of like a short tomato cage). Then when the Annabelle leafs out, the wire is completely hidden. The Annabelle Hydrangea grows blooms on new wood each year.

When to cut back Annabelle Hydrangea for winter?

Which is the best variety of Hydrangea arborescens?

Annabelle is the best known variety of Smooth Hydrangea arborescens. Until recently, this is the only Hydrangea arborescens variety easy to find in garden centers or even recognized by the public. Annabelle Smooth Hydrangea has stunning white flowers, often producing heads over 10″ in diameter.