Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2'

Proven Winners®

Invincibelle® Spirit II Blooms All Season with Deep Pink Flowers that Age to Soft Celadon
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 3-4 ft Tall, 1-4 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Butterflies

$26⁴⁸

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

Quart Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least six hours of direct sunlight for the most intense pink color and the strongest stems. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch, though you may see slightly fewer blooms.
Soil: Use loamy soil enriched with organic matter that drains well. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant in a slight mound or add compost to ensure the roots do not sit in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist during the first two seasons to help the root system expand. Once established, this variety handles short dry spells better than other hydrangeas, but inconsistent watering will lead to smaller flower heads. Think of regular watering as the fuel needed to produce those big pink blooms.

Pruning Tips

This shrub blooms on new wood, so you should prune it in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Cut the entire plant back by about one third of its height to encourage thick, sturdy stems that can support the large flower clusters. This yearly haircut prevents the plant from becoming leggy and ensures the blooms stay at eye level.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring as soon as you see new green growth emerging. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers after mid summer because this forces tender new growth that cannot survive the winter cold. Providing nutrients early gives the plant the energy it needs for a heavy reblooming cycle.

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.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

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.

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

Fantastic Pink Blooms Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea

Gorgeous, Full-Size Deep Pink Flowers Age to Celadon
Reblooms Through The Season
Dark Green Foliage
Sturdy Stems
Use in Many Different Garden Applications
Try Them as "Thrillers" in Containers
Native Plant
Widely Adaptable Across the United States
Grows in Full Sun to Partial Shade
No Need to Deadhead
Blooms on New Wood
$1 Donated to Breast Cancer Research for Every Plant Sold

For an easy-care shrub that blooms from summer through fall, rely on the celebrated Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2' PP 28,316). Huge flowers are held on strong stems to decorate the vibrant green foliage.

No need to deadhead! You'll see beautiful blooms from midsummer until the first frost.

As with the original Invincibelle® Spirit Hydrangea, for every plant sold, $1 will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Center by Proven Winners. The center is committed to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide.

This gorgeous improved version features improved, stronger stems to hold the flowers of increased size upright. The color of both flower and foliage is deeper and richer than ever before.

Watch from your garden rocker as the blooms start dark pink, age to creamy white and finish celadon green. The depth of color of this offering is amazing!

The blooms are fantastic in bouquets during all stages of their development. The flowers even have staying power when dried for winter arrangements or craft projects.

In your yard, Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea will become a brilliant focal point. Spirit II produces its blooms on new growth, and it's a dependable bloomer.

Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea is a fabulous, long-blooming selection that is an improvement on an already spectacular choice. This improved variety is sure to "wow" you and your guests with its display and please you with its reliable, easy care nature. Order yours today!

How to Use Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea in the Landscape

Several Spirit II, planted together, will form a stunning border in your yard. Use just one for a spectacular accent near a front entrance. Anywhere you place these is sure to draw attention.

Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea is a deciduous shrub with a mounded habit. They can be used in mixed borders or cutting gardens.

Smooth Hydrangeas are native to North America. Give this special variety a place of honor in your landscape. They have been carefully field-tested for high performance and will bloom for you every year.

These make wonderful "Thrillers" in large garden containers. Try a contrasting pottery color like lime green, aqua, gold or yellow to make the flower colors really pop.

Or, go with a neutral gray or unglazed terra-cotta for a subtle charm. Keep containers well watered, especially in the height of summer as the blooms are developing.

Mass planting can fill wide open areas with bold color. Use a zigzagging planting pattern and space them 42 inches apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Unless you are in the hottest growing USDA zones, plant Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea in full sun. You'll enjoy the strongest stems and most flowers with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

If your summers are sweltering, you should plant in part sun. Give them a site that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. It should thrive on the east or southeast side of your home or structure. Use taller shrubs and trees as cover, too.

However, full shade positions are not ideal for performance. It needs at least 4 hours of sunlight a day, or the stems will be spindly and floppy. You won't get many blooms in full shade, either.

It is adaptable to a variety of soil types. However, Hydrangeas do need well-drained soil. Elevate your planting with a raised bed, or plant in containers if you have poorly drained soil.

Provide a moderate amount of water on a schedule. Good watering is especially important as the flowers develop.

In fall, before you put the hose away for winter, give your plant a nice, long drink. This is especially important when the weather is dry in autumn.

Although changes to soil pH will not be able to change the bloom color, apply an acidic mulch as a top-dressing for this Smooth Hydrangea. Use pine straw or pine bark to increase the acidity of your soil over time.

Acidic mulch will also help to keep the root systems nice and cool. Please pull mulch back from the crown of your plant by 6 inches for proper air circulation.

Invincibelle® Spirit II has minimal pruning requirements, and blooms on new wood. Prune each stem down by a third in early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge on the stems. Cut back at a 45-degree angle right above an outward-facing bud.

There is no need to remove the spent flowers or deadhead. However, regular cutting of blooms will give you wonderful material to create special cut flower arrangements!

Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea is super hardy, and easy to maintain in the landscape. Order yours now!

Botanical Name

Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2'
Class

Magnoliopsida, Cornales
Species

arborescens
Cultivar

NCHA2
Growing Zones

3-8
Height

3-4 ft
Width

1-4 ft
Sunlight

Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color

Pink, Green
Leaf Color

Green
Native

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 3-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones can Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea grow in?

Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea thrives in USDA zones 3-9, making it widely adaptable across most of the United States. This native hydrangea handles both cold winters and hot summers well. Plant in full sun to partial shade for best blooming performance.

Does Invincibelle® Spirit II need full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This adaptability makes it versatile for most garden locations. For best flowering, provide at least 4-6 hours of morning sun with some afternoon protection in hot climates.

How often should I water my newly planted Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea?

Water newly planted Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. This native hydrangea is widely adaptable but needs consistent moisture to establish its root system. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 2 inches down - water when dry.

How fast does this hydrangea variety grow each year?

Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea typically grows 12-18 inches per year, reaching its mature size of 3-5 feet in 2-3 seasons. This native hydrangea establishes quickly and begins blooming reliably in its first year. Plant in spring for best establishment.

How long after planting can I expect to see the first blooms?

Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea typically blooms the first summer after spring planting since it flowers on new wood. You'll see the gorgeous deep pink blooms from midsummer through first frost. Plant in spring for best results, available at naturehills.com.