These hardy shrubs provide lots of beauty with minimal care.
Add a flurry of flowers to the summer landscape with the help of low maintenance Annabelle and Panicle hydrangeas.
Annabelle-type hydrangeas have long been favorite shrubs for the landscape. Their large white blooms make them a standout in the shade garden. Combine these shrubs with other shade plants like hostas, ferns and astilbes. Extend your enjoyment by leaving the dried flowers on the plants for winter.
• Add a bit of color with the Invincibelle® Spirit series. These Annabelle-types produce large pink flowers no matter the soil pH. Treat them as you would your other Annabelle-type hydrangeas and enjoy the extra color.
• Limelight, Little Lime®, Pinky Winky® and other panicle hydrangeas will also tolerate the shade but perform best in full sun. Use them for informal hedges, screening, mixed borders or as specimen plants. Their conical shaped flowers start out white or lime-green in the case of Limelight and Little Lime®. They fade to pink and eventually turn brown. Leave them on the plant for winter interest or remove the dried flowers in late fall or early spring.
• Bobo® is only 30 to 36 inches tall and the flowers cover the stems from tip to ground level. Use these smaller shrubs in the front of the shrub border, amongst perennials and in any small space garden
Both of these shrubs bloom on new growth and are reliable bloomers. See Melinda’s Gardening How To for more information on Selection, Planting and Care of these and other hydrangeas. And visit Pasquesi’s YouTube Channel for our videos on 'Caring for Annabelle, Bigleaf and Panicle Hydrangeas'.
AT A GLANCE
Name: Annabelle hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens)
Size: 3 to 5’ tall and wider
Light: Partial shade, full sun if soil is kept moist
Water: Thoroughly whenever top few inches of soil are crumbly and slightly moist
Soil: Moist, Well-drained preferred
Name: Panicle hydrangea varieties
Size: Dwarf varieties 3 to 6’ tall & wide, Large varieties up to 10’+ tall & wide
Light: Performs best in full sun; will tolerate partial shade
Water: Thoroughly whenever top few inches of soil are crumbly and slightly moist; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Moist, Well-drained preferred
Written by, gardening expert, Melinda Myers. Each month Melinda will feature a low maintenance plant perfect for beginning and experienced gardeners looking for attractive easy care plants. Melinda Myers is a nationally recognized gardening expert with more than 30 years of horticulture experience. She is a wealth of knowledge and we are pleased to share Melinda’s Low Maintenance Plant of the Month with you!
