The snowball hydrangea “Annabelle” is one of the most popular garden hydrangeas thanks to its very large, wonderfully white flower balls. In fact, it is not only very flowery, but also has excellent winter hardiness. However, the same large flowers that make it attractive are also its downfall. The flower heads can become so heavy that they need to be supported.
How do you support an “Annabelle” hydrangea?
To support an “Annabelle” hydrangea, use bamboo stakes: Insert several stakes at least 12 inches into the ground next to the plant and connect them horizontally. Flowers can be attached to the supports individually or with a trellis.
Stake depends on the location and size of the plant
However, bracing (as support is also known in gardening circles) is not necessary in every case, but depends on the one hand on the exact location of the plant and on the other hand on its specific size. It is therefore best to plant the “Annabelle” hydrangea in a wind-protected, quiet location in the garden, then every breath of air will not pose a threat to the flowers. A stand against a wall or a house wall is very suitable.
Support “Annabelle” hydrangea
In order to meaningfully support a hydrangea like “Annabelle”, various constructions made of bamboo sticks (€24.00 on Amazon) have proven to be effective. Take several bamboo sticks, the height of which depends on the size of your “Annabelle”, and insert them into the garden soil in a row, each at least 30 centimeters deep in front of the bush. Connect these stakes with additional, horizontally attached bamboo rods, whereby the distance from rod to rod should not be more than about 40 centimeters. Of course, you can also place this support all around the plant, depending on where the flowers appear. Finally, tie the flowers to the supports with a string. Alternatively, support with the help of a trellis is also possible, through whose struts the shoots of the “Annabelle” hydrangea grow and are thus supported without any further action. If you want to be on the safe side, it's better to stake each flower individually.
Tips & Tricks
Cut the “Annabelle” hydrangea regularly in spring to about 15 centimeters above the ground, then it can sprout again more vigorously.