Ok, you got your new hydrangea plant home. Now what? Learn how to plant Annabelle hydrangea.

Hydrangea is an all-American deciduous shrub, native to southern New England, the Midwest and the southern states.

The Annabelle hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens  ‘Annabelle’) blooms in very large, white pom-pom like flowers, in late June. The flowers can become so large and heavy that they will be weighed down by a heavy rain and droop to the ground.

Planted in groupings the Annabelle can make an elegant yet old-fashioned statement in your garden.

But it all starts with planting. It’s the process that can make or break your success with the plant.

When choosing your planting location keep in mind that the Annabelle hydrangea will grow 3 to 5 feet tall and is generally wider than it is tall.

Plant Annabelle hydrangea in early summer or late fall.

Want to catch up on everything you need to know to grow hydrangea? Check out Caring for hydrangeas: Everything you need to know.

 

 

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Planting location

The best planting location for Annabelle hydrangea depends on where you live. Northern U.S. gardeners should choose a location where the plant gets full sun all day.

Gardeners in regions with hot summers should choose a planting spot that receives bright but dappled sunlight. Finding a location like this can be challenging, however.

Plant this hydrangea under a large tree and it will struggle to compete with the tree’s roots for moisture.

The next best choice is to plant Annabelle hydrangea in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.

Soil for Annabelle Hydrangea

The texture of the soil in which the Annabelle is planted will bear heavily upon its success in your garden. Well-drained soil is a must.

It’s always a good idea to amend the soil in and around the planting area prior to planting by adding amendments such as sphagnum peat moss, pinebark mulch and aged compost. Add about 2 to 3 inches of a combination of these materials and dig it into the top 6 inches of soil.

If you have a soil pH meter, aim for a slightly acidic (6.1 to 6.5) to neutral (6.6 to 7.3) soil pH. If you don’t have one, buy it at Amazon.com. We like this one.

How to Plant Annabelle Hydrangea

• Dig the planting hole so that it is bowl-shaped, and three times the width of the pot in which the Annabelle hydrangea currently sits. The depth of the planting hole should be deep enough to allow the crown of the plant to sit about one inch below the surface of the soil (see the diagram at the beginning of this section).
• Gently loosen the Annabelle hydrangea’s root ball and spread the roots out. Place the roots into the planting hole and fan them out.
• Make sure that the bottom of the plant is sitting firmly on the bottom of the hole.
• Backfill the hole with soil, firming it as you go to remove air pockets.
• Add a 3-inch layer of aged mulch to the soil around the base of the plant (don’t allow it to touch the hydrangea, however), and water well.
• Keep the soil consistently moist – but avoid overwatering.