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Invincibelle™ Spirit Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1'

Phonetic Spelling
hy-DRAN-jee-uh ar-bor-RES-senz
Description

The Invincibelle™ Spirit mountain hydrangea is the first-ever pink-flowered 'Annabelle' hydrangea. The bloom color is not dependent on soil pH, with dark pink florets in the bud, maturing to bright pink, and flowers from summer to frost. It was developed at North Carolina State University’s Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station and was awarded "Best-In-Show" at the 2010 IGC Show in Chicago. It is 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide at maturity and is a strong rebloomer. 

This plant is grown in average, well-drained soils. Its growth rate is slow and it does not tolerate drought. It may tolerate full sun if consistent moisture is available but does best in a partially shaded location. The plant may die back in harsh winters but then blooms on new wood. 

The mop head flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators and make excellent cut flowers. This is also the host plant for the caterpillars of the Hydrangea Sphinx moth. 

This hydrangea makes a stunning background for a perennial border or as a mass planting in a woodland setting. It can also be used in a cutting, pollinator, rain, or shade garden.  It is a host plant for the larvae of the Hydrangea sphinx moth (Darapsa versicolor)

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: No serious insect or disease problems, although it is susceptible to bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spots, mold, rust, and powdery mildew like many other hydrangeas. It may also be troubled by aphids, mites, scale, and nematodes. 

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Hydrangea arborescens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Hydrangeas in the Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#rain garden#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#honey bees#nectar plant#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#moist soil#fire low flammability#well-drained soil#neutral pH#nci#naturalizes#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#larval host plant#wet soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#shallow soil tolerant#uspp#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#rain garden#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#honey bees#nectar plant#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#moist soil#fire low flammability#well-drained soil#neutral pH#nci#naturalizes#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#larval host plant#wet soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#shallow soil tolerant#uspp#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hydrangea
    Species:
    arborescens
    Family:
    Hydrangeaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    US cultivar
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    The wild hydrangea flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insects. Songbirds eat the seeds. It is the host plant of the caterpillars of the Hydrangea Sphinx moth (Darapsa versicolor) which feed on the leaves.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Dehiscent seed capsules ripen in late fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Dome
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    This pink named cultivar has a ball-shaped flower head 6-8 " across that blooms summer to early fall. The mop head flower has showy sterile florets that begin as a dark pink bud that matures to bright pink.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate to elliptic dark green leaves (3-8” long) with pale green undersides. The leaves turn yellow in fall. The lower leaf surface is smooth or with inconspicuous fine hairs.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Shredding
    Bark Description:
    Brown and finely shredded, peels off in thin layers with different colors.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Heat
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses