A mature Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Mass planting · Specimen · Naturalized · Slope · Woodland · Native · Pollinator

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Annabelle Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens · Shrub

Annabelle Hydrangea is a fast-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 3–5 ft × 3–5 ft. It does best in part shade with medium water needs in well-drained and moist soil. Expect cream, green and pink blooms in summer and fall. It attracts butterflies, moths and pollinators, stands up well to black walnut and deer and erosion.

USDA zones: 3-9
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 3–5 ft × 3–5 ft
Spacing: 3–6 ft
Growth rate: Fast
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Moist
Foliage: Green
Bloom color: Cream, Green, Pink, White
Bloom season: Summer, Fall
Attracts: Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Songbirds
Tough against: Black walnut, Deer, Erosion, Fire, Rabbits, Salt
Toxic to: People, Dogs, Cats, Horses
Native to: Eastern United States

Will it survive your winters?

We score Annabelle Hydrangea’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9