Species: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ “Incrediball”
Common name: “Incrediball” hydrangea
Plant overview:
The Incrediball hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ Incrediball) is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub. Like the Annabelle hydrangea, it is hardy and flowers on new wood, but Incrediball has stronger branches and bigger flower heads than the Annabelle. The cultivar name is ‘Abetwo,’ while “Incrediball”—notably, not “incredible”—is a trademark name. “Incrediball” was presumably chosen as the name to trumpet the impressive size of the “balls” of flowers.
Incrediball hydrangea plants can be used in the landscape in a number of ways. These shrubs are attractive enough to be used singly as specimen plants. Some gardeners choose to grow them en masse along a property line to form a border, while others include them in foundation plantings. Their shade-tolerance makes them suitable for woodland gardens, although they may produce larger flower heads in full sun than in partial shade. Incrediball hydrangeas are plants that attract butterflies.
CHARACTERISTICS
| Plant type | Deciduous flowering shrub |
| Mature size | 4 to 5 feet tall and wide |
| Sun exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil type | Any |
| Soil PH | Any |
| Bloome time | June to August |
| Color | White |
| Hardiness zones | 3 to 9 |
| Native area | Eastern United States |
How to grow
These plants will grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 and are potentially hardy to zone 3 in a suitable microclimate. Space the plants 5 to 6 feet apart, center on center. As they grow, they can create gorgeous privacy hedges, though you could also grow them in very large garden planters.
Light
Incrediball hydrangea grows in full sun to partial shade, and the latter is preferable in dry climates. If you live in the south, give the plant some shade in the hot afternoon hours. In the north, full sun can be tolerated throughout the entire day.
Soil
Plant the Incrediball hydrangea in rich garden soil that will keep the roots moist. Unlike some other hydrangeas, Incrediball’s flower color is not affected by soil pH. While the petals of other types of hydrangeas may change colors because of pH, this is a white hydrangea plant, pure and simple.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the hydrangea once in the spring with a 15-30-15 formula—or one that’s similar—to coax out the plant’s blooms.
Propagating
Propagate H. arborescens via cutting and rooting. First, take a 5- to 6-inch-long cutting from a hydrangea brunch, ideally from one that didn’t flower that year. Next, remove the lower leaves from the two lower nodes and dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone. Place the cutting into a sterile medium, such as damp vermiculite or coarse sand, water it well, and let it drain until the soil is moist but not soggy. Cover it with plastic, but don’t let the plastic touch the leaves.
Place the cuttings in bright light, but not in the sun. Once the soil begins to feel a bit dry, water the soil again. The cuttings will form roots in about two to three weeks.
Pruning
Incrediball hydrangea plants and other hydrangea shrubs in the native American “smooth leaf” (arborescens) group (including Invincibelle Spirit, another variety inspired by Annabelle) bloom on new wood. Consequently, the question of when to prune is greatly simplified because there is no issue of losing flower buds that formed on old wood, or the prior year’s growth. For the same reason, flower buds won’t be killed during a cold winter.
Prune Incrediball hydrangea plants anytime between the first hard frost of fall and early spring. Depending on your preference, you can make pruning cuts right down to the ground, as new shoots will be generated. Most gardeners opt for an early-spring pruning, taking advantage of the visual interest the dried flower heads add to the fall yard. Because the flower heads consist mainly of tough sepals, they persist right through autumn, although the color does fade to tan. People often cut some of the flower heads for use in dried arrangements.
Potting and reporting
Transplant young plants when they’re dormant during the early spring months. Already-established plants, particularly when they’ve grown larger, are difficult to move, though it’s not impossible. After you transplant, prune the top growth to reduce water loss.
Toxicity
All types of Hydrangea arborscens are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to the cyanogenic glycoside content. Although intoxication is rare, symptoms of consumption include vomiting, depression, and diarrhea. If humans ingest H. arborscens, they might experience a mild upset stomach; it can also aggravate skin allergies.
