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Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA3' Invincibelle® Ruby is often confused with:
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1' Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1' PP20,765
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2' Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2' PPAF
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' Blush hydrangea
Native alternative(s) for Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA3' Invincibelle® Ruby:
Hydrangea arborescens Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1' Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA1' PP20,765
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' Blush hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' Hydrangea paniculata
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA3' Invincibelle® Ruby has some common insect problems:
Scale Insects Found on Flowers and Foliage
Mites Found on Flowers and Foliage
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants

Hortensia Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA3' Invincibelle® Ruby

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

‘Invincibelle® Ruby’ hydrangea is a 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 plant will do best In sites where there is ample moisture and well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. If it is not too hot, full sun will result in more compact plants with heavier blooms. Plants will become stretched out if grown in the shade. However, in warmer climates, afternoon shade is recommended. Plants should be mulched 2 to 3 inches to retain moisture in summer and to protect shallow roots in winter. Bloom color is not affected by soil pH. The plant grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and a width of 2 to 3 feet, so plant multiple plants 3 to 6 feet apart. It is resistant to wildlife foraging and black walnut rot.

Dark burgundy-red flower buds open to a 12-inch mop head that is a two-toned combination of bright ruby red and silvery pink. It is dramatic and unique and makes excellent cut flowers. Flowers bloom on new growth, and the plant is a strong rebloomer, producing gorgeous blossoms from summer into fall. 

‘Invincibelle® Ruby’ can be used as a low hedge or specimen, in a mixed border, or as a foundation planting. It attracts bees, moths, pollinators, songbirds, and butterflies, so site it in a cutting, cottage, or pollinator garden. It is a host plant for the larvae of the Hydrangea sphinx moth (Darapsa versicolor).

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.


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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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#easy to grow#red flowers#small shrub#moth caterpillar host#mulch#salt tolerant#colorful#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#erosion control#moist soil#mounding#well-drained soil#multistemmed#neutral pH#summer flowers#nci#showstopper#long bloom time#rounded#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#larval host plant#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#ppw#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#easy to grow#red flowers#small shrub#moth caterpillar host#mulch#salt tolerant#colorful#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#erosion control#moist soil#mounding#well-drained soil#multistemmed#neutral pH#summer flowers#nci#showstopper#long bloom time#rounded#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#larval host plant#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#ppw#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.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: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    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 capsule which ripen October-November
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    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:
    Giant 12" mop head inflorescences of dark burgundy and silvery pink, appear mid-summer to frost blooming on new wood. Strong rebloomer. Bloom color is not affected by soil pH.
  • 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
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, broad egg-shaped to rounded, sharply toothed, dark green leaves, on strong, supportive stems, with pale green undersides. Leaves turn yellow in fall.
  • 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 Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Erosion
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses