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Invincibelle™ Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2'

Other plants called Invincibelle™ Hydrangea:

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

‘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.

More information on Hydrangea arborescens.

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Tags:
#easy to grow#moth caterpillar host#colorful#nci#showstopper#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#butterfly garden#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#easy to grow#moth caterpillar host#colorful#nci#showstopper#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#butterfly garden#moth 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
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
    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