This is the fourth summer I have had these in the ground, and the second summer in their current location. I moved them three times in order to find a location they liked, which ultimately is on the northeast side of my home as a foundation planting alongside my wrap-around porch. . They only get morning sun, which they seem to appreciate in our hot and humid southern summers and the cement porch seems beneficial towards keeping a cooler microclimate. Care-wise, I cut them back dramatically when they were first planted (and transplanted) and then watered them in very well with a drip hose. I cut them back in early spring and in both fall and spring I top dressed them with compost. I also keep them well mulched. Now that I have found a good location for them they are doing very well and the blooms are incredible. I can’t bring myself to cut them because they just look so pretty on the plant. I’ve had no trouble with these that wasn’t a factor of my own learning curve, and they recovered well from every move. I would definitely buy them again if I wanted a hydrangea this size.
Invincibelle® Spirit II Smooth hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
- Part Sun to Sun
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Details
42 - 48 Inches42 - 60 Inches42 - 48 Inches1.1m - 1.2m1.1m - 1.5m1.1m - 1.2mFeatures
An improved version of the original pink 'Annabelle' hydrangea.
Invincibelle Spirit II hydrangea represents the best in full-sized pink 'Annabelle' hydrangeas. It offers handsome, dark green foliage, sturdy, strong stems that prevent flopping, and large blooms of deep pink that age to an attractive green. Plus, it reblooms, delivering waves of fresh flowers through autumn. This North American native hydrangea grows over a huge range of the US and Canada, thriving in chilly USDA zone 3 as well as in steamy zone 8.
$1 from each Invincibelle® Spirit II sold is donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. We encourage you to donate as well. BCRF is dedicated to advancing the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.
Find out more about the Invincibelle Spirit campaign.
As seen in the Giver ad.
Continuous Bloom or RebloomerDeadheading Not NecessaryNative to North AmericaCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:DeciduousHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:42 - 48 Inches 1.1m - 1.2mSpacing:42 - 60 Inches 1.1m - 1.5mSpread:42 - 48 Inches 1.1m - 1.2mFlower Colors:PinkFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:Dark GreenHabit:MoundedContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:New WoodBloom Time:Summer through FallHardiness Zones:3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8aWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:Mass plantings, landscapes, naturalizing, cutting gardens, mixed borders.
Maintenance Notes:We recommend a minimum of four hours of sun for best flower color and stem strength. Invincibelle Spirit II hydrangea can grow in full sun in cooler climates, but afternoon shade is recommended in hot areas. In all areas, a good 2-3" (5-7 cm) layer of shredded bark mulch is recommended to keep the roots cool and growing vigorously.
Prune Invincibelle Spirit II, and all smooth hydrangeas, in early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge. Cut the whole plant back by about one-third its total height. Many people cut the plant back more severely, but that deprives the plant of the opportunity to develop the strongest, woodiest stems. If you wish, you may prune in fall, once the plant has gone completely dormant.
Deadheading - removing the spent flowers - is not necessary for this plant to continue to bloom. However, you may remove old flowers if you wish. And by all means, cut stems to enjoy indoors - they make a great cut flower and won't be harmed by cutting.
Fun Facts:The pink hydrangea used to develop Invincibelle Spirit II hydrangea was discovered by a graduate student hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2' USPP 28,316, Can 5,622 -
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