Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' 9/2021 Smooth-
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' 9/2021 Smooth- (McDaniels, Univ of Illinois, 1910) Smooth Hydrangea or wild hydrangea, Mature size: 4x4’, Tiny white fertile flowers corymbs 2-6" across, USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9, Michigan Bloom Week ISO WW24, In Garden Bed D1 for 3.1 YEARS (Lowes). Planted in 2018.
'Annabelle' is a nature cultivar that was discovered ~1910 in the wild near Anna, (Southern) Illinois. Plantsman J.C.McDaniels from the University of Illinois named it and promoted it for its extremely large flowers (corymbs) which are considerably larger than the species. It is probably the most grown cultivar of smooth hydrangea. It blooms on new wood, so it is quite hardy. It can be cut to the ground in late winter to promote plant vigor.
National Gardenig Association, member luis_pr: These grew like weeds in my old Atlanta, Georgia stomping grounds. I would add to the description: can wilt a lot when hot so keep it well mulched. And add some wire around it to help support the heavy stems when the blooms get wet. I had to put mine in a full but very bright shady spot so they get limited watering from rains. Will propagate via suckers too so plantings tend to get "wider" as the years pass.
Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Additional photos of this plant from 2018, 19, 20, 21:
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' 9/2021 Smooth-
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' 9/2021 Smooth- (McDaniels, Univ of Illinois, 1910) Smooth Hydrangea or wild hydrangea, Mature size: 4x4’, Tiny white fertile flowers corymbs 2-6" across, USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9, Michigan Bloom Week ISO WW24, In Garden Bed D1 for 3.1 YEARS (Lowes). Planted in 2018.
'Annabelle' is a nature cultivar that was discovered ~1910 in the wild near Anna, (Southern) Illinois. Plantsman J.C.McDaniels from the University of Illinois named it and promoted it for its extremely large flowers (corymbs) which are considerably larger than the species. It is probably the most grown cultivar of smooth hydrangea. It blooms on new wood, so it is quite hardy. It can be cut to the ground in late winter to promote plant vigor.
National Gardenig Association, member luis_pr: These grew like weeds in my old Atlanta, Georgia stomping grounds. I would add to the description: can wilt a lot when hot so keep it well mulched. And add some wire around it to help support the heavy stems when the blooms get wet. I had to put mine in a full but very bright shady spot so they get limited watering from rains. Will propagate via suckers too so plantings tend to get "wider" as the years pass.
Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Additional photos of this plant from 2018, 19, 20, 21: