Annabelle Hydrangea Care and Maintenance Properly

Annabelle Hydrangea refers to the Smooth Hydrangea that is originally from the United States. This one was discovered near the town named Anna, Illinois. It is such a perfect choice for those who want to make your garden even prettier than before.

Annabelle Hydrangea has such big and pretty blossoms. These blossoms are indeed pretty but getting these pretty looks is not as easy as it sounds. It is worth tons of effort. Just like any other plants, you need to care for this plant by giving nutrients, giving a growing environment to flourish, pruning, protecting from the pests, and many more. If you are still not that familiar with Annabelle Hydrangea care and maintenance, here is for you.

Fertilizing

Applying the fertilizer to Annabelle Hydrangea cannot be done anytime you want. There is specific time because doing it when it is not needed, the main feature of the flower could be spoiled. Giving fertilizer way too much is not a good idea as it can reduce flowering as well as making the leaf growth excessively. There are also signs of nutrient deficiency, which include poor growth and small pale leaves. If you see these symptoms and there is no specific cause, then you are recommended to sprinkle a granular slowly. Give it 12-4-8 fertilizer on the soil surface over the root area of the shrub at a rate of 4 tablespoons per 4 square feet. Remember to not allow the fertilizer to touch the stems of the shrub. Spread the water that has been fertilized to the ground in order to make the fertilizer activated. The instructions given by the manufacturers may vary, that’s why it is needed for you to read and follow the label of the fertilizer that you use.

Watering

Annabelle Hydrangea is sensitive to heat and drought. This one grows best in the soil which is full of nutrients, moist, and drained well. In the hot weather, it needs water on a regular basis so that it can grow and flower well. Watering is really important, especially in a place that is sunny. You can water it when you see the surface of the soil dries. Keep in mind that the soil beneath the branches of the shrub needs to stay moist most of the time. However, do not make it wet. In addition to water, you need to spread a 2-3 inch thick layer of garden compost, leaf mold, or any other organic material over the root zone of the plant as an effort to help conserve soil moisture. When doing so, keep away the mulch from touching the plant. When you see the leaves wilt in the hottest time of the day, keep calm because there is nothing to worry. The plant does not need extra water as long as the soil is moist and the shrub recovers by evening.

Pruning

Pruning Annabelle Hydrangea is important to remove its old, non-flowering wood. Besides, it is also effective to promote its dense and compact shape. This plant usually dies to the ground during winter in the four season places. Actually, it does not really matter because the shrub flowers on its new wood. You can prune the remaining stems when the winter comes to an end. First of all, the pruning shear blades should be wiped with a cloth that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol before. Then, you can just prune the stems of the shrub to the ground level. When the process of pruning is done, do not forget to sterilize the pruning shears again with rubbing alcohol just like you did before.

Protecting from pests and diseases

Annabelle Hydrangea is rarely being attacked by the pests. The most common ones are the diseases that attack leaf and bud. Some pests that may infest this shrub include mites, aphids, scales insects, and nematodes. Mites are hard to be seen with naked eyes due to their tiny size but they usually make fine webbing and are the culprits of the speckled leaves. Aphids are known as the insects that love to cluster on the undersides of leaves and at shoot tips. They are all small in size. When it comes to the appearance, scale insects resemble tiny shells on leaf veins and stems.

These pests mentioned above can be eliminated by spraying the shrub with an insecticidal soap on a cloudy and windless day. Aside from that, you are also suggested to wet all the parts of the plant, including the leaf undersides. Please do it well with the insecticidal soap that is able to be used every one to two weeks if needed. While using the product, please be careful.

Another one called nematodes infest the root system of the plant and can make it have poor and stunted growth. When you see it, you should remove and dispose of it immediately.

A few signs of the diseases that you might be able to see from Annabelle Hydrangea include leaf spots, a white, powdery coating, decaying flower buds, soggy, decaying leaves and brown. If these signs are seen, please avoid watering the plant on a regular basis. Not only that, you are also prohibited from overhead watering as it is good to help prevent a lot of diseases and is also effective to help preserve the blooms of the plant. If you want to help prevent the diseases from spreading, the best way is to remove the affected leaves and buds.

Once again, Annabelle Hydrangea is pretty but it is not that easy to care and to maintain. By following the guide above, it should be not that hard to keep your blossoms pretty. In case you have any questions of how to care and how to maintain this plant, you can look for the communities related to this plant and to the plant in general. If you can, it might be a good idea to consult with the professionals to discuss everything about this plant.