Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' – A Classic Shrub for Stunning Summer Blooms and Year-Round Interest
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle', commonly known as the Annabelle Hydrangea, is a beloved deciduous shrub renowned for its large, globe-like clusters of white flowers, its robust growth, and its adaptability to a variety of garden styles. With its striking blooms in summer, followed by attractive foliage in autumn and winter, 'Annabelle' brings beauty, elegance, and seasonal interest to gardens, borders, and landscapes.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
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Spring: In spring, Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' begins to emerge with fresh green leaves, preparing for its spectacular summer floral display. The foliage provides a clean and lush backdrop as the shrub begins to bloom.
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Summer: The star of the show, 'Annabelle' bursts into life in summer with large, creamy white, ball-shaped flower clusters that can reach up to 30cm (12 inches) across. These dramatic blooms are a favourite of pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
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Autumn: As the season changes, the foliage turns to soft hues of green and yellow, creating an elegant backdrop to the flowers that fade and dry into a gentle brownish tone, adding texture and interest.
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Winter: In winter, the shrub’s dried flower heads remain, offering structure and visual interest. The bare branches, paired with the dried blooms, create a subtle yet attractive feature against the winter landscape.
Structure & Form
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' is a medium-sized shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–1.5m (3–5ft) with a rounded, bushy form. Its dense growth habit and large flower heads make it an excellent choice for adding volume and softness to garden borders, mixed plantings, or hedges. The shrub’s compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens or spaces, while its dramatic flowers make it a showstopper in any setting.
Ideal for Various Landscapes
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Mixed Borders: Its large, striking blooms create a stunning focal point in mixed borders, pairing beautifully with perennials, grasses, and other flowering shrubs.
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Shady Gardens: 'Annabelle' thrives in partial to full shade, making it an ideal choice for areas of the garden that receive limited sunlight, such as under trees or in woodland settings.
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Wildlife Gardens: The abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a fantastic addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
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Urban & Street Planting: Its hardiness and adaptability to various growing conditions make it perfect for urban gardens, streetscapes, or public spaces, where it provides a seasonal burst of colour and visual interest.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Thrives in partial to full shade, though it will tolerate full sun in cooler climates. In very hot areas, some afternoon shade is preferred to prevent the flowers from wilting.
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Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soils, but is adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil conditions.
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Hardiness: Fully hardy, Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' can tolerate frost and cold temperatures, making it suitable for most temperate climates.
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Maintenance: Low-maintenance; prune the shrub back in late winter or early spring to encourage healthy new growth and improve flower production. It generally requires little intervention and is resistant to pests and diseases.
Why Choose Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'?
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' is a versatile and reliable shrub that offers striking summer blooms, lush foliage, and low-maintenance care. Its large white flower clusters, combined with its adaptability to different growing conditions, make it a perfect choice for adding elegance, beauty, and seasonal interest to any garden.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Other Flowering Shrubs – Pair with Rhododendron or Spiraea for complementary textures and seasonal colour contrasts.
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Perennials & Grasses – Combine with Astilbe, Hostas, or Ferns for textural contrast and rich underplanting.
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Evergreen Shrubs – Pair with Boxwood or Yew for a backdrop of evergreen foliage that accentuates the white flowers in summer.
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Spring Bulbs – Complement with Crocus, Daffodils, or Tulips for an early-season burst of colour before the shrub begins to bloom.
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' is a timeless and reliable shrub that delivers a spectacular floral display every summer, while its foliage and form offer year-round interest. With its adaptability, low-maintenance care, and ability to thrive in a variety of garden styles, it’s an ideal addition for anyone seeking a show-stopping shrub that will brighten up their landscape with minimal effort.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
