Annabelle vs Incrediball hydrangea
'Incrediball' is 'Annabelle' improved: the same native smooth hydrangea, with bigger round white heads on thicker stems. The flaw it was bred to fix is the flop: after a heavy rain 'Annabelle' lies on the ground, while 'Incrediball' mostly stays up. Both flower on new wood, so they can be cut to knee height every spring, and both take more shade than the panicle hydrangeas.
 Smooth hydrangea 'Annabelle'Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' | Smooth hydrangea 'Incrediball' Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball' | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 5 ft tall, 5 ft wide |
| Plant | 4 ft apart | 4 ft apart |
| Zones | 3 to 9 | 3 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade | Part sun to part shade |
| Soil | Evenly moist, rich fertility | Evenly moist, rich fertility |
| Flowers | Late June to early September; white, green | Late June to early September; white, green |
| Leaves | Bold, deciduous | Bold, deciduous |
| Job in a bed | Anchor | Anchor |
| Pets | Toxic (mild) | Toxic (mild) |
| Deer | Not listed as resistant | Not listed as resistant |
| Native | Variety of a native | Variety of a native |
| Spread | Moderate risk | Moderate risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- On the record they are near twins: choose by the look you want.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What smooth hydrangea 'Incrediball' brings beside smooth hydrangea 'Annabelle': in flower together for 11 weeks, from late June; happy in the same moist soil. They share part sun and part shade and zones 3 to 9.
Read more: all about smooth hydrangea 'Annabelle', and all about smooth hydrangea 'Incrediball', each with a bed the planner designed around it.