Hydrangea 'Annabelle'

Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ remains a long standing favourite in our show gardens. The spectacular flower heads measure up to 30cm across, gracefully changing from pale green to creamy white then back to green again. The flowers are sterile, so last well in ideal conditions you can enjoy them for months over summer and autumn.

Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ is extremely reliable and flowers annually with ease. It grows well in both cool and warm locales. It is especially good in cold climates because the late spring frosts won’t upset the blooms that open on new wood. Frost hardy and dry tolerant once established.

Among other awards it holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit so you know it has been put through its paces and impressed.

This marvellous shrub has lush green foliage, that forms nice mounds 100-180cm high and wide. The flowers open on new season growth, so Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ can be easily pruned to the bottom two buds after flowering, in late winter.

Hydrangeas grow best when planted in a sheltered position of the garden where the roots are cool and moist. If you add plenty of organic matter to the soil and you will be rewarded with masses of stunning blooms.

Hydrangea flowers are good for picking. To help make the flowers last longer, you could bring a bucket of water out with you to the garden, so you can plunge them in as soon as you have cut the stem. Once you are inside, cut them again and hold them in hot, boiled water for 30 seconds before arranging in a vase.

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ common names include Smooth Hydrangea and Wild Hydrangea. It was discovered growing wild in Illinois near the town of Anna.