Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' – White Mophead Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ – White Mophead Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is one of the most iconic and reliable of all garden shrubs — and a perennial favourite for good reason. From midsummer through to autumn, it produces enormous, dome-shaped flowerheads of pure white, sometimes reaching 30cm across, that gradually fade to a soft parchment as the season progresses. Robust, easy to grow, and spectacular in full flower, ‘Annabelle’ brings a sense of abundance and classic elegance to any planting scheme.

Why Choose ‘Annabelle’

• Exceptionally large, pure white flowerheads — up to 30cm across — from July to September
• Flowers fade gracefully to parchment and cream, extending the season of interest
• Dried flowerheads provide beautiful winter structure and work well in arrangements
• Reliable and vigorous — flowers on new wood, so late frosts won’t affect the display
• Tolerates a wide range of soils and conditions, including heavy clay
• Ideal for borders, woodland gardens, and large containers

Growing Guide

• Position: Partial shade to full sun; best in morning sun with afternoon shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates most soil types including clay
• Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H6)
• Ultimate height: 1.5–2m with a similar spread
• Pruning: Cut back hard to 30cm in late winter or early spring to encourage strong new growth and large flowerheads

Planting & Care Tips

• Plant in a sheltered spot with some shade to prevent wilting in hot weather
• Water generously during dry spells, especially in the first season
• Mulch around the base each spring to retain moisture and feed the soil
• Unlike mophead hydrangeas, flower colour is not affected by soil pH — always white

Delivery

Grown and dispatched from Stoneybrook Nursery. All plants are carefully packaged to arrive in excellent condition, ready to plant.