Invincibelle™ Ruby Mountain Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA3' Invincibelle® Ruby
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-DRAN-jee-uh ar-bor-RES-senz
- Description
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‘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. - 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.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.
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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
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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 capsule which ripen October-November
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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.
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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
- 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.
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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 Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
