Incredible Hydrangea Vs Annabelle Hydrangea

Both come from the same variety, ‘Hydrangea arborescens’, it makes Incrediball/Incredible and Annabelle always being compared. At first glance, the looks of both are totally the same, however, if you notice it deeper, you surely will find some differences including the look and how to care for them.

If you are really interested to find out the differences between Incrediball and Annabelle Hydrangea, sure, this post will give you a comparison between both. Here’s for the comparison between Incrediball Hydrangea and Annabelle Hydrangea:

Look

• Incrediball Hydrangea

The Incrediball Hydrangea is a flowering shrub that has broad, deciduous leaves. Similar to Annabelle hydrangea, this variety is also very strong in flowering on new wood. However, Incrediball has stronger branches and larger flower heads than Annabelle. It also has a small to medium sized between 4 to 5 feet tall and wide.

• Annabelle Hydrangea

Annabelle Hydrangea has a small to medium sized with 3m (10 ft) tall deciduous shrub. These hydrangeas have stunning white flowers that often produce a head diameter measuring over 10 Inches.  Just like Incrediball Hydrangea, this will also be strong when growing on new wood. However, Annabelle has smaller flower heads than Incrediball Hydrangea.

Soil

• Incrediball Hydrangea

Incrediball Hydrangea will grow well in rich gardens which can keep the roots moist. Unlike other Hydrangeas, the flower of incrediball color is not affected by soil pH. If the petals of other types of Hydrangea will change the color as the pH, however, the Incrediball is a pure white Hydrangea plant.

• Annabelle Hydrangea

Annabelle Hydrangea really need rich, humus dirt or cover soil with about 2 – 3 inches of wood-chip mulch to keep the soil moist. You should also plant this plant in enriched soil with manure. Do test soil for excess nitrogen if your plants fail to bloom.

Water

• Incrediball Hydrangea

This Hydrangea variety are actually drought-tolerant. You should provide regular moisture to the soil if this plant is being grown in full sun. As a drought-tolerant, you do not have to water it every day. Perhaps, when the soil is getting dry, this plant will survive a lot. In this case, you just need to water your Incrediball Hydrangea when you see the soil really dry out.

• Annabelle Hydrangea

Unlike Incrediball Hydrangea, Annabelle does not tolerate drought and will grow best in moist, rich and well-drained soil. This plant really needs more water on a regular basis during hot weather to make sure it is growing well and flowering especially in a sunny area. Annabelle may need water daily, so, watering this plant regularly even if you see the soil getting dry.

You should keep the soil beneath the shrub’s branches to stay constantly moist, not soggy. To help conserve soil moisture, you can also spread a 2 to 3 inch layer of garden compost, leaf fungus, or other organic matter over the plant’s root zone, but don’t let the mulch touch your plants.

Of course, don’t worry if you see wilted leaves at the hottest time of the day. These plants likely don’t need extra water, when the soil is moist and the bush recovers at night.

Fertilizer

• Incrediball Hydrangea

Unlike Annabelle Hydrangea which requires a slow-release granular 12-4-8 fertilizer on the ground, to give Incrediball Hydrangea fertilizer, you can give it only once in the spring with a formula of 15-30-15 – or similar – to make this plant flower.

• Annabelle Hydrangea

You should know giving fertilizer when it isn’t needed will spoil the main “Annabelle” feature of her big, showy flowers. Of course, excess fertilization can reduce flowering as well as cause leaf overgrowth. You will know if your Annabelle Hydrangea is nutrient deficient by looking at poor growth and small, pale leaves.

If you see “Annabelle” showing pale leaves and poor growth with no other cause, then you should sprinkle a slow-release granular 12-4-8 fertilizer on the ground above the root area of the bush.

Don’t let the fertilizer get on the stems of the bush. You also have to water the fertilized soil to activate the fertilizer. This is because the manufacturer’s instructions may differ, always read and follow the label of the fertilizer you use.

Humidity

• Incrediball Hydrangea

The ideal temperature for Incrediball Hydrangea is between 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and below 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. However, hydrangeas require a temperature of six weeks below 65 degrees especially during the shoot development stage.

• Annabelle Hydrangea

This plant does not need frost protection. It can grow in hardiness zones 3 to 9. However, Annabelle Hydrangea prefers areas that are partially shaded but also grow in locations with full sun, with a watering cycle to watch out for.

How to Take Care

• Incrediball Hydrangea

Just like most Hydrangea, pruning is a great way to take care of Hydrangea. The Incrediball Hydrangea will bloom on the new wood so that if it is not controlled, it will spread to all areas. Of course, pruning is indispensable so that there is no problem losing the flower buds formed on the old wood because the flower buds will not die during winter.

Of course, you can prune Incrediball Hydrangea plants any time between the first winter or early spring. You can also do the pruning directly into the ground, as new shoots will be produced. Most people will opt for early spring pruning to take advantage of the visual appeal that will last well into fall.

They will last well into fall even if the color fades to brown. Some people often cut off multiple flower heads for use in dry arrangements.

• Annabelle Hydrangea

You can also prune Annabelle Hydrangea by removing faded flowers about 1 inch or two of growth to promote a second round of mesmerizing blooms. However, you do not prune until around the end of September or beginning of October. Make sure to always wait until the flowers have visibly faded before pruning them.

Periodically pruning of Annabelle Hydrangea plants certainly involves moving the oldest stems to the surface of the soil. Before spring, you should trim any stalks that stick to the ground to encourage growth when the sun’s rays strengthen.