Annabelle Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Preorder Shipping Schedule
We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.
| Zone 3-4 | Week of March 30th |
| Zone 5 | Week of March 16th |
| Zone 6-12 | Week of March 2nd |
Shipping Rates
Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Our Container Sizes
At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes
Quart
Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.
#1 Container
Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.
#2 Container
Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.
#3 Container
Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.
#5 Container and Larger
Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.
Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?
Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.
Root Pouch Containers
Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:
- Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
- Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.
Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.
Full Root Pouch planting guide
Choosing the Right Size
| Size | Plant Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quart | 6 mo to 1 yr | Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings. |
| #1 Container | 1 to 2 yrs | Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners. |
| #2 Container | 2 to 3 yrs | Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment. |
| #3 Container | 3 to 4 yrs | Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size. |
| #5 and larger | 4+ yrs | Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact. |
Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Description
Long Season of Beautiful Blooms Annabelle Hydrangea
- Huge White Flower Heads
- Bloom Last through Summer, Fall and Winter
- Very Dependable Performance
- Cut and Dried Flowers Make Incredible Indoor Decorations
- Sophisticated Classic
- Easy to Grow
- Adaptable, No Need to Fuss with Soil pH
- Sun or Partial Shade
- Prune Once in Early Spring
- Attracts pollinators
This outstanding ornamental shrub effortlessly elevates the tone of your landscape. Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') makes a showy display of its pristine white flower color and enormous mopheads.
Plant them near a high traffic area. You won't want to miss a moment of this plant's spectacular blooms.
Annabelle Hydrangea was discovered in 1910 and remains one of the most popular landscape plants grown, with good reason. It can be grown over a wide range of hardiness zones, is easy and carefree, and produces the most incredible flower heads of sterile florets that can be a foot across.
The flower display is really the best. Massive, white, round balls are held above the foliage and have a showy bloom time from summer into winter.
Annabelle Hydrangea shrub is a star in every landscape. Fresh new green stems will produce massive flowers by June. Enjoy the flowers in the landscape on the plant and steal some blooms as needed throughout the summer for bouquets.
This is a dependable, proven performer that delivers spectacular blooms every single year. Dark-green foliage and sturdy stems are the perfect contrast for the pristine white flowers.
Hydrangea 'Annabelle' begins to create its stunning blooms in June and continues to be showy until it gets buried in snow. You'll be thrilled by the dazzling display of elegant Annabelle flowers throughout most of the year.
You'll look and hard to find another low-maintenance flowering shrub that grows as easily. It flourishes all across the country in just about any soil.
Use it throughout your landscape as a classy, structured plant. Order enough to complete your project today!
Here they'll dry and remain on the plant all winter long if you let them. We suggest that you leave them up for winter interest! You'll enjoy noticing how the dried blooms catch and sculpt the drifting snow.
You'll never be without beautiful blooms for cut flower arrangements. Stock up on cunning vases in a variety of shapes, as you'll want to use them throughout the house.
In fall, you can also start cutting dried flowers to bring indoors for use in seasonal dried arrangements. Punch up their impact with a light touch of coordinating, creamy white or metallic spray paint.
Mix up your plantings of Hydrangeas; Annabelles paired with the round Incrediball and the Limelight Hydrangea paniculata for an eye-catching display! A mixture of the different lacecap, mophead and panicle Hydrangea blooms looks incredible and you can enjoy reblooming varieties, different colors and sizes!
#ProPlantTips for Care
Unlike other, fussier Hydrangeas, you won't have to mess around with soil pH with Annabelle like you would bigleaf macrophylla Endless Summer Hydrangeas. This deciduous Smooth Hydrangea variety is adaptable to most soils, as long as they drain quickly. The root systems won't tolerate standing water, for long. However, Annabelle can be used near the edge of Rain Gardens.
Hardy in USDA growing zones 3-9, this variety has minimal pruning requirements and growing Hydrangeas like this is very easy. It blooms on new wood, so each year, you'll start over.
Get out there every year in late winter, early spring. You'll simply snip all branches down to the ground and remove them. New shoots will grow and develop each year.
We recommend pruning Annabelle Hydrangea in spring, rather than fall. That way, you get a chance to enjoy the interesting dried flower heads all winter long. You need something to look at!
Annabelle performs best with full sun exposure of 6 hours of sunlight a day to produce a glorious flower display. Sunlight also allows the growth of nice, sturdy stems that effortlessly hold the huge blooms aloft.
The plant will tolerate a partial sun or part shade position—such as the east side of a house - but not full shade. Please ensure they receive at least 4 hours of light a day where you decide to place them. Dappled shade and afternoon shade are best.
However, don't plant Annabelle in full shade positions. If they don't receive enough sunlight, they will develop thinner stems that may have trouble supporting the large flower heads. Full shade will also limit flower production.
It can take more sun than most people think, especially if you provide a nice, thick layer of mulch over the root ball. Give Annabelle Hydrangea as much sun as you can by pruning nearby trees.
Provide an even amount of regular water, especially early in the season during flower development. Protect young plants with supplemental water as needed.
Use this easy test to see if your new plant needs water. Poke your finger into the nearby soil (yes, you can wear gloves). If it feels moist, no need to water that day. Check again tomorrow. If the ground is starting to get dry, give your new plant a nice long drink.
The massive, rounded, mophead flowers are actually corymbs that are comprised of many sterile florets. No need to worry about self-seeding or spreading out of bounds.
Whether this is your first yard, or your fifth - you will never regret using Annabelle Hydrangea in your yard. With enormous, pristine white blooms, lush foliage and a forgiving nature, she'll be your best friend. Get this flowering shrub off your wishlist and order at NatureHills.com online garden center today!
Specifications
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Height
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Growth RateModerate
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Bloom PeriodEarly Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT, PR
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