Summary
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ has been a horticultural mainstay since its introduction in the 1960s by Dr. Joseph McDaniel. The floral display of this cultivar is highly ornamental and helped set the standard for modern mophead cultivars, however H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is unable to support its large inflorescences and exhibits a floppy habit after it begins to flower in June. H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ was very similar in appearance to Hydrangea arborescens ‘Grandiflora’ and achieved similar ratings in this trial. Some of H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’s successors, such as Incrediball® wild hydrangea, produce similar oversized mophead inflorescences but with stronger and more upright stems that keep the flowers aloft all summer making them a better choice for modern gardens.
Details
- Rating
4.0 (Honorable Mention) - Common Name
Annabelle wild hydrangea - Bloom Period
late June – mid July - Peak Bloom
early July - Size
4.5’ x 6.5’ - Flower Type
Mophead - Inflorescence Diameter
7.5"