Hydrangea arborescens Invincibelle Lace® (Smooth Hydrangea) Unity Grown

Invincibelle Lace® is a phenomenal cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens, commonly called smooth hydrangea, noted for its rounded growth habit and large, showy pink lacecap flowers. Growing to 4-5' tall and wide, Invincibelle Lace® produces large flat clusters of plum colored flower buds that begin opening to 4-petaled pink flowers in early summer. Flowers are attractive to a wide variety of pollinators and lace-cap structure makes these hydrangea less prone to flopping over when in bloom.

Hydrangea arborescens is typically found wild in part-shade areas like woodland slopes and stream banks, and with its showy flowers, this cultivar makes for a great pick in pollinator gardens, forest borders, and specimen plantings, and additionally makes for an excellent seasonal hedge. Though smooth hydrangea prefers part-shade, this cultivar will also do well in full sun when provided with consistent moisture, but well-drained soil is key as, unlike the parents species, Invincibelle Lace® will suffer if planted in perpetually wet soils. Hydrangea arborescens 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.

(Flower photos courtesy of Proven Winners.)