POSTED BY KIM — My hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ put on a great show mid-summer, but look at it now — round 2! I did deadhead after the first set of blooms just to tidy up, so this second set of flowers is a nice surprise. I have this funny spot on the west side of my house that is in full, deep shade almost all 
day, except for 2 hours from noon until about 2 p.m. – blistering midday sun. And the ‘Annabelle’ apparently likes it just fine.
I’m excited about several new hydrangeas we’ll be carrying next year, and one is related to the Annabelle — it’s called Hydrangea arborescens ‘Incrediball.’ It has four times as many flowers as the ‘Annabelle’ — and they’re bigger, too. PLUS — and this is important — the stems are stronger, able to hold up those heavy blossoms even after a drenching rain.
I’m already saving my pennies and mentally moving a few things around in my garden to make room!
