The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
The Incrediball hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens’Abetwo' Incrediball) is abroadleaf,deciduousflowering shrub.
Incrediball hydrangea plants can be used in the landscape in a number of ways.
Incrediball hydrangeas areplants that attract butterflies.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
These shrubs are considered fast-growing and are typically planted in fall.
In favorable conditions, they can be expected to live for 20 years.
Hydrangeas contain hydrangin, which is toxic to humans, and toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Space the plants five to six feet apart, center on center.
As they grow, they can create gorgeous privacy hedges.
Transplant young shrubs when they’re dormant during the early spring months.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
After you transplant, prune the top growth by one-third to encourage rooting instead of vegetative growth.
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.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
The plant blooms best in full sun, at least 6 hours.
Unlike some other hydrangeas, Incrediball’s flower color is not affected bysoil pH.
However, as the flowers age, the snowy blooms turn a jade-like color that lasts through frost.
Water
These varieties of hydrangeas are surprisingly drought-tolerant once established.
A layer of mulch will help to retain soil moisture.
However, during the bud development stage, the hydrangeas need six weeks of temperatures below 65 degrees.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Incrediball blooms between June and August.
For the same reason, flower buds won’t be killed during a cold winter.
Prune Incrediball hydrangea plants by one-third its height in early spring, just as new growth starts to emerge.
These are often used in dried arrangements.
How to Get Incrediball Hydrangea to Bloom
Using theright fertilizeris crucial to get Incrediball hydrangea to bloom.
The right amount of sunlight is equally important for blooming.
However, the plant blooms on new growth, so it may just take awhile to bloom.
Wait with the pruning until after the first hard frost in the fall.
Lastly, the shrub might not be fully established yet and needs another year to display its full bloom.
This is usually not practical, therefore it’s better to plant Incrediball hydrangea in the landscape.
Deadheading is not necessary, unless you want toremove the spent flowersfor a neater appearance.
The flowers start out white and gradually fade to a chartreuse green.
The color change is a natural process and the result of less daylight hours as the summer progresses.
Later in the season there is less energy from sunlight, which the flowers need to keep their color.
NC State University Cooperative Extension.
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Hydrangea.
University of Illinois Extension.
