Annabelle Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
A spectacular native hydrangea that produces enormous white flower heads up to 12 inches across from summer through fall, creating a stunning display in shade gardens. This hardy shrub blooms reliably every year on new wood and naturalizes beautifully in woodland settings while tolerating a wide range of conditions. The massive snowball-like blooms age to pale green and dry beautifully for winter interest.
Sun
Partial shade to full shade
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
3-5 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Annabelle Hydrangea in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shrub →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Annabelle Hydrangea · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Annabelle'White flowers on weak, floppy stems. Needs staking or support 'Bella Anna'Pink flowers 'Grandiflora' 'Haas' Halo' Very large lace-cap blooms 'Hayes Starburst'Star shaped florets Incrediball™ Blush 'NCHA4' Large pink flower heads Invincibelle® Ruby 'NCHA3' Bright ruby red and silvery pink blooms Invincibelle™ Spirit II 'NCHA2' Flower color ages to an attractive green Invincibelle™ Spirit 'NCHA1' Pink flowered 'White Dome', 'Annabelle', 'Bella Anna', 'Grandiflora', 'Haas' Halo', 'Hayes Starburst', Incrediball™ Blush 'NCHA4', Invincibelle® Ruby 'NCHA3', Invincibelle™ Spirit II 'NCHA2', Invincibelle™ Spirit 'NCHA1', 'White Dome'. Propagation: Layering, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Dehiscent ribbed brown capsules which ripen in July-September.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The Cherokee would eat the new growth of young twigs peeled, boiled or fried.
History & Origin
Origin: Eastern U.S.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Erosion, Fire, Rabbits, Salt
- +Wildlife value: The wild hydrangea flowers are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. It is the host plant of the hydrangea sphinx moth.
- +Edible: The Cherokee would eat the new growth of young twigs peeled, boiled or fried.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in similar partial shade conditions and provides complementary foliage texture
Astilbe
Shares preference for moist, well-draining soil and partial shade
Ferns
Creates naturalistic woodland garden aesthetic with similar moisture and shade requirements
Heuchera
Provides colorful ground cover and thrives in same acidic soil conditions
Caladium
Offers bright foliage contrast and enjoys the filtered light under hydrangea canopy
Japanese Painted Fern
Provides silvery foliage contrast and shares preference for acidic, moist soil
Impatiens
Blooms well in partial shade and benefits from hydrangea's natural mulch from fallen leaves
Azalea
Both prefer acidic soil and complement each other's blooming seasons
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can stunt hydrangea growth and cause yellowing
Mint
Aggressive spreading can compete with hydrangea's root system for nutrients and space
Pine Trees
Dense canopy blocks necessary light and acidic needle drop can make soil too acidic
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds inhibit nearby plant growth and competes heavily for water
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, some susceptibility to leaf spot
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, scale insects
Diseases
Leaf spot, powdery mildew in poor air circulation