Arborescent hydrangea 'Annabelle' (Hydrangea arborescens) - flowering shrub - 12 cm pot - Height 30 cm

Yes, the 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') blooms again every year without fail, even after severe pruning carried out in late winter. Its fundamental botanical characteristic is that it flowers on the current year's wood, that is, on the new shoots produced in the spring following pruning. Cutting the stems to about 15 cm above the ground in February-March stimulates the production of young, vigorous shoots that will bear the largest corymbs.

The 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') reaches a height and spread of 1.20 to 1.80 metres at maturity, depending on growing conditions and regular pruning. Its growth is classified as moderate, meaning it grows about 20 to 30 cm per year in good conditions. For planting in a border or as a specimen, allow at least 1 to 1.5 metres of space around the plant to enable it to develop freely. For a flowering hedge, a spacing of 80 cm to 1 metre between plants is sufficient to achieve a dense, continuous effect.

The 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') is one of the most shade-tolerant flowering shrubs among the hydrangeas. It tolerates partial shade or light shade very well, under the dappled shade of other trees or in an un-dried-out north-facing position. In full and dense shade, the flowering may be slightly reduced in number of flowers, but the corymbs remain spectacular and the plant grows without difficulty.

The very large corymbs of the 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) can indeed weigh down the stems, especially after heavy rain. The first preventive measure is to prune annually in late winter: short, young stems are naturally more rigid than old, long stems burdened by the weight of the flower heads. 'Annabelle' is particularly prized for having relatively sturdy stems compared to other cultivars, which already reduces the tendency to flop.

Like all plants in the Hydrangea genus, the 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea contains cyanogenic glycosides throughout all its parts, especially the leaves, stems, and buds. These compounds can cause gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) if ingested in significant quantities by humans, dogs, or cats. In practice, the plant is not very palatable and cases of severe poisoning remain very rare, but as a precaution, young children and pets should be kept away from the plant.

Yes, the 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') grows very well in a container on a balcony or terrace, provided you choose a pot of at least 30 to 40 litres to give it enough root space. Use a rich, slightly acidic, well-draining potting mix, and make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water from stagnating. In a container, watering should be more frequent than when planted in the ground, as the potting mix dries out more quickly, especially in summer and in sunny conditions.

The 'Annabelle' Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') supplied in a 12 cm pot can be planted outdoors or repotted into a larger container upon delivery, regardless of the season, provided that periods of ground frost or extreme heat are avoided. Upon delivery, soak the pot for a few minutes in a bucket of water to thoroughly rehydrate the growing medium, then plant in soil that has been loosened and enriched with compost.