Hydrangea arborescens Sweet Annabelle

Hydrangea arborescens Sweet Annabelle ('Ncha4') completes this beautiful series of American hydrangeas with enormous globular flowers in an attractive shade of pink-lilac tinged with a brighter pink. In the same vein as the famous 'Annabelle', the arborescent hydrangeas from Virginia are appreciated for their abundance of flowers, their hardiness, their better tolerance to sunlight and slightly acidic soils, as well as their vigour. This beautiful bush with a rounded habit forms very large pink balls throughout the summer, which turn an attractive green colour over time. The sturdy stems easily support the weight of the flowers, even when soaked with rain. It will find its place in sunny flower beds and hedges, and adapts perfectly to pot or container cultivation on a terrace. Its flowers are beautiful in bouquets.

Hydrangea arborescens, or Virginia Hydrangea, belongs to the large Hydrangeaceae family. This botanical species native to the Southeastern United States is less demanding in terms of shade and soil than its Asian counterparts. It has produced numerous varieties through hybridisation that have proven to be excellent garden shrubs, such as the famous 'Annabelle', obtained in the USA.

The 'Annabelle' series, marketed under the name 'Incrediball' outside of Europe, brings together highly branched and highly floriferous bushes that decorate the garden from June until the first frost. Sweet Annabelle, recently introduced, is a very hardy plant that faithfully re-blooms even after cold winters, on the current year's shoots. It has beautiful branched stems that reach up to 1.2m (4ft) and form a bush with a similar width (or even more depending on conditions). They are crowned from the end of June with large, perfectly spherical corymbs that continue to bloom until late summer. The inflorescences can measure up to 30cm (12in) in diameter and are made up of numerous small flowers with 3 to 4 petals, ranging from a bright pink-lilac to a fading green colour at the end of flowering. The overall effect harmonises elegantly with the foliage, which is quite dark green and composed of beautiful, simple, 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) long, wide and ovate leaves, which are attractively crinkled and deciduous. Hydrangeas can live for many years in the garden, often more than 50 years. 

Sweet Annabelle is the perfect choice for gardeners who prefer natural-looking and easy-to-grow hydrangeas. If your decor is more contemporary, or if you have a small urban garden, this moderately growing bush will bring a touch of both architectural and refined elegance. Hydrangea arborescens Sweet Annabelle brightens up any semi-shaded scene, whether planted alone or in groups. Plant a small border of boxwood or Lonicera 'Elegant' at its base to form a setting for its large pink and green flowers. At the front of an urban garden, it brings romance and distinction. It can be surrounded by hellebores, hardy fuchsias, daffodils, and pansies that extend the flowering season and complement the range of colours. While it looks stunning in flower beds and hedges, it is also perfectly suited for use in pots or containers on a terrace. Cut its flowers to create beautiful bouquets.