Annabelle Hydrangea
Caring For The Annabelle Hydrangea
With the exception of pruning considerations, caring for the Annabelle hydrangea is not too different than is the care for most other hydrangea types. Hydrangeas are for the most part easy to grow and care for, and certain varieties can be stunningly beautiful. One of these is the Annabelle hydrangea.
The Annabelle hydrangea is one several very popular hydrangea types. A Member of the family Hydrangea arborescens, Annabelle is not your typical blue or pink hydrangea, but its color is an almost pure white, and its blooms can approach nearly a foot in diameter. Annabelle can withstand very cold winters and, unlike some hydrangea types, can be pruned back rather severely and will still bring forth large blossoms in profusion the following season.
Hydrangea Categories - The Annabelle hydrangea is not generally as well known as the Mophead and Lacecap hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla. Most varieties of Mophead and Lacecap are blue or pink though some are white. The Mophead hydrangea is the most popular type found in gardens today. Another type is the Oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, hardy farther north than the mopheads or lacecaps, and more tolerant of dry conditions. Those who like their hydrangea in a tree form often opt for a member of the PeeGee family, Hydrangea paniculata, which is the only hydrangea type that can be pruned in that manner.
The Annabelle hydrangea though is an excellent choice for cooler climates, where other types may not do well. Although hydrangeas tend to be sun loving, as most flower bearing shrubs are, it does best in afternoon shade, and does not require full sun to be at its best, just a few hours a day will suffice. When grown in partial shade, the blooming period generally is significantly longer than if the plant is placed in full sun.
Droop Problems - As was mentioned, the blooms of the Annabelle are king-sized, or perhaps more appropriately, queen-sized, which leads to one of the problems encountered with this type of hydrangea. The blooms can become top heavy and will then tend to droop, especially after a rain, when they may bend to the ground. This problem can be minimized by planting two or three of these plants close together, in which case they will tend to support one another, and you have a larger bush as a bonus. Avoiding excessive pruning will help as well, as the stems will tend to be more sturdy. The combination of minimal pruning and growing plants close to one another may yield slightly smaller blooms, which though still large enough, will have less of a tendency to droop after a rain. A fence-like arrangement, similar to a tomato cage, will also help keeping the drooping to a minimum. Foliage will normally hide the wires of the fencing.
Watering And Feeding - The Annabelle hydrangea is best planted in the early summer, though late fall is also a good time. When planting hydrangeas it's always a good idea to purchase a plant while it’s in bloom, so you know what you're getting. Having a generously flowering hydrangea in your garden that is beautiful in all respects except the color isn't quite right, isn't exactly what was wanted. The soil to be kept moist during the first year or two, or until the plant becomes well established. A mature bush is can normally withstand dry periods, though that doesn't mean to stop watering it. Most varieties of hydrangeas, including the Annabelle, are thirsty plants, as their name implies. Don't over water though, or root rot may develop. Hydrangeas aren't particularly heavy feeders. Fertilizing once or twice a year is usually sufficient. A slow release fertilizer is best, or simply work nutrients into the soil, being careful not to disturb the root system.
Pruning - The Annabelle hydrangea can be pruned back almost to the ground every fall, and will return to its full height the following year. One disadvantage of this however is the stems may not be thick or sturdy enough to support large, wet blossoms, so some gardeners only prune the plant back a little. Pruning an Annabelle hydrangea is something you can do a lot of and not hurt the plant, but you may wish to try and strike a balance between seeing dead branches through the winter months and having more sturdy branches during the summer months.