Invincibelle™ Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Invincibelle™ Hydrangea:
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-DRAN-jee-uh ar-bor-RES-senz
- Description
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‘Invincibelle™ Spirit II’ hydrangea is a slow-growing, low-maintenance woody, deciduous perennial shrub that is a member of the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). It is a cultivar in the Incrediball series, which was developed as a collaboration with Dr. Thomas G. Ranney of North Carolina State University and the Spring Meadow Nursery of Grand Haven, Michigan.
This hydrangea can grow in full sun in cooler climates, but afternoon shade and consistent moisture are recommended in hotter areas. A minimum of four hours of sun is required for best flower color and stem strength. A layer of shredded bark mulch is recommended to protect the shallow roots and retain moisture in the summer. Overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot. The plant may die back in harsh winters. The plant grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and a width of 3 to six feet, so plant multiple plants at least 6 feet apart. The plant can be pruned, but keep in mind that flowers appear on new growth.
It has dark foliage, stiff stems, and large rich pink flowers that bloom from midsummer to frost. The flower color ages to an attractive green. It makes excellent cut or dried flowers for arrangements. It attracts bees, moths, pollinators, songbirds, and butterflies and is resistant to wildlife foraging and black walnut rot. It is a host plant for the larvae of the Hydrangea sphinx moth (Darapsa versicolor)
Plant as a border, hedge, or mass planting in a cottage, cutting, pollinator, rain, or shade garden, or along walkways or naturalized areas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: it is susceptible to bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spots, mold, rust, and powdery mildew. It may also be troubled by aphids, mites, scale, and nematodes. Ingestion in large quantities of any part of the plant can result in gastrointestinal problems for humans and pets.
Note: It is illegal to propagate patented plant material.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a 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
- Moist
- 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
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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 October-November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inflorescences are large, rich pink mop heads, color not influenced by soil pH which reach around 5.5" wide and have both fertile and sterile florets.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- 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
- Erosion
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
