Pink Annabelle

This year a brand new plant was introduced: a pink Annabelle hydrangea. It is called 'Invincibelle Spirit' and is the first colored Annabelle available. Of course, I excitedly ran out and bought a couple of them. Supposedly they are supposed to be the same in every way to the original Annabelle except pink. So far, I must confess, I am disappointed.

The two "shrubs" (if they can be called that) are spindly, leggy, anemic plants with far smaller heads than the 12"+ heads on the annabelle. Far worse, in part shade, the color changes from deep pink to a washed out, pinkish-green. Supposedly, after a few years, the stems will bulk up and the flower will get larger and the plant itself will more decidedly resemble the original annabelle. I can only hope that is true.

In the mean time, one of the plants I have is not actually all that bad. Yes, the stems are a bit floppy, but I will stake them next year. The flower heads are not THAT much smaller and they are indeed a nice bright pink color. They look particularly nice next to the black, blue and chartreuse foliage that surround it. I truly hope that next year they get even bigger and better; particularly the smaller, and crappier of the two. Only time will tell.


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