Growing guide · Shrubs
Hydrangea arborescens
How to grow 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea.
Snowball blooms. Forgives your pruning.
Size3–5 ft tall and wide
ShowSummer
Lightpart, shade
Zones3–9
Good atNative
PetsKeep away from nibblers
The hydrangea for people who have killed hydrangeas.
It blooms on new wood, so a hard winter or an overenthusiastic pruning just resets it. Cut it back in late winter and it comes back with dinner-plate flowers.
Care
Why we stock it: Big impact, low drama, and it is native to half the country.