Ball hydrangeas are among the most beautiful permanent bloomers in the home garden. The Annabelle hydrangea is particularly popular with hobby gardeners. The compact shrub can be displayed effectively both in a pot and in a flower bed.
The Annabelle hydrangea: The most important things at a glance
The ball hydrangea is a medium-sized shrub with an upright habit and large, mostly white (but can also be pink or purple) flowers. This variety is generally very easy to care for and undemanding and feels at home both in pots and in flower beds. The most important thing is to find a place in the garden that is protected from the wind.
When to plant Annabelle?
In contrast to other types of hydrangeas, which are sensitive to frost and cold and therefore have to be planted in the ground in the spring after the Ice Saints at the latest, the snowball hydrangea Annabelle is frost hardy. So if you missed the right time in spring, you can also do it in autumn, afterEnd of flowering periodplant.
The minimum distance between the hydrangeas should be 120 cm. Since the shrubs are shallow-rooted, they need more space to develop their roots.
The young plants need a lot of water in the first few weeks. Never let the soil dry out; it should always be moist. To avoid rapid evaporation of water, you can cover the soil with a 1.5 cm thick layer of mulch. Natural materials such as needle litter, bark mulch or straw are best suited for this purpose.
The right location for the ball hydrangea
The ball hydrangea feels comfortable in the sun as well as in light and partial shade. Like all plants from the “Hydrangeaceae” family, Annabelle also needs regular and generous watering. So if it is in full sun, you should make sure it has sufficient water and possibly adjust it to the plant's needs.
How fast does hydrangea Annabelle grow?
The snowball hydrangea increases in height by 10 to 50 cm every year. The rate of growth depends on thecare and the locationaway. The ornamental shrub can grow up to 130 cm wide and 150 cm high. The dense and broadly bushy growth with several basal shoots is typical of the variety.
When is the flowering time?
Annabelle produces its first large, ball-shaped flowers at the end of June. They not only decorate the flower bed, but are also ideal as cut flowers. Thanks to their size, the flower balls also cut a fine figure as soloists in the vase.
Combining the forest hydrangea: Which companion plants are suitable?
Companion plants for shade and partial shade:Popular planting partners for the shade garden are the Japanese maple and boxwood. In light shade or sun, the variety works great with German irises and pink petunias.
Planting a flower bed in partial shade:AppropriateCompanion plants include geraniums“Rozanne”, rudbeckia “Goldsturm”, white snakewort “Chocolate” and large-leaved Caucasian forget-me-not.
Planting tip for sunny lawn edges:In full sun, you can combine the hydrangea with begonias, sea silverwort, wood sorrel, phlox, stonecrop, loosestrife, Fournier's tournia and marigolds.
Popular ball hydrangea varieties
Hortensie“Strong Annabelle”is an extremely robust plant that prefers nutrient-rich and well-drained soil. It tolerates topiary and only flowers on this year's wood. Use: group trees, as a hedge plant and cut flower.
The “Pink Annabelle” variety has large inflorescences (about 10 cm).intense pink color. The flowering period of the variety extends from June to August. Use: group wood, as a hedge plant and cut flower.
As with all hydrangeas, the “Annabelle” variety also plays a rolethe right carea crucial role. The small shrub needs a lot of water and suitable fertilizer to grow quickly and form flowers.
Properly support the snowball hydrangea
The large flower balls are heavy and, if not properly supported, can hang apart and even snap. To prevent this, you can stabilize the shoots with a support ring. This is best set up when planting, but can alternatively be used at the beginning of the flowering period.
You should keep this in mind when fertilizing
The right fertilizer can also make the shrub more stable. Annabelle prefers rhododendron fertilizer that contains all the important nutrients. Thomas flour, horn shavings and cattle manure are also ideal for this purpose. Like other hydrangea varieties, Annabelle can tolerate lime poorly, so it is better to avoid lime fertilizer.
Pruning Annabelle hydrangea: how and when?
Annabelle tolerates severe pruning very well, as long as it is done in spring. This gives the shrub enough time to sprout again and recover. The snowball hydrangea will thank you with a magnificent flower. However, it can happen that the flower balls are too heavy and the shoots need to be supported.
Alternatively, you can only shorten the hydrangea by a third. In this case, the flower balls will not be as large and the plant can cope without a support ring.
If you cut off the dead flowers by the beginning of August, you can promote the so-called second flowering. The hydrangea will bloom until October.
Propagate the forest shrub hydrangea
The forest hydrangea is propagated via cuttings. This usually takes place in the months of May and June. If you missed the right moment, you can share Annabelle in the fall.
