Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' (Smooth Hydrangea)

'Annabelle' is a classic cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens, commonly called smooth hydrangea, noted for its compact size and large, showy flowers. Growing to only three to five feet tall and wide, 'Annabelle' produces large round clusters of white flowers, typically 8-12" across, starting in the early summer; occasionally 'Annabelle' also produces a repeat bloom in the autumn and persistent dried flowers also add multi-season interest, even without a second bloom. Flowers are attractive to a wide variety of pollinators and, in fact, cultivars with large flowers like 'Annabelle' provide better nectar and pollen supplies for hungry native bees than the straight species.

Hydrangea arborescens is typically found wild in wetter, part-shade areas like woodland slopes and stream banks, and with its showy flowers, this cultivar makes for a great pick in rain gardens, stream and forest border plantings, and additionally makes for an excellent seasonal hedge; though it prefers part-shade, this cultivar will also do well in full sun when provided with consistent moisture. 'Annabelle' is tolerant of deer and rabbit damage as well as a wide variety of soil conditions, and will produce the most showy effects when pruned back in the late winter, since blooms appear on new wood.