Smooth hydrangea " Annabelle " ( Hydrangea arborescens " Annabelle " ) is name for its place of discovery , near the town Anna , Illinois . The " belle " of the townspeople , " Annabelle " offers white , swab - head bloom 8 to 12 column inch wide and grows in clumps 3 to 5 human foot marvelous and 4 to 6 animal foot all-encompassing . Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture works hardiness zones 3 through 9,the deciduous shrubdoesn’t expect frost protection . It prefers partial - shade sites but also acquire in full - Lord’s Day location , though it needs careful watering .
Fertilizing “Annabelle”
Applying plant food when it is n’t needed could spoil the primary feature of " Annabelle , " its large , showy blooms . Overfertilizing a hydrangea reduces flowering and causes undue leafy growth . Signs of nutrient deficiency include poor growth and belittled , pale leaves . If " Annabelle " shows those symptoms and they have no plain other crusade , then sprinkle a granular , slow - sacking , 12 - 4 - 8 plant food on the ground aerofoil over the shrub ’s root region at a rate of 4 tablespoons per 4 square metrical foot . Do n’t set aside the fertilizer to adjoin the shrub ’s stems . water system the fertilize ground to activate the plant food . Because producer ’s instructions may vary , read and follow the label of the fertiliser you use .
Watering the Plant
" Annabelle " does n’t abide drought and produce effective in rich , moist , well - enfeeble soil . It demand weewee on a regular basis during red-hot weather condition to have good outgrowth and anthesis , especially in a sunny location , where the bush may call for water daily . Water " Annabelle " when its grunge surface is wry . The soil beneath the bush ’s offshoot should stay constantly moist but never torpid . broadcast a 2- to 3 - column inch - thick bed of garden compost , leaf mold or other constituent material over the industrial plant ’s root zona to aid conserve grime moisture , but do n’t countenance that mulch relate the plant . Do n’t be alarm if the leaves wilt in the hottest part of the day . When the filth is moist and the shrub recovers by even , the flora is not probable to need extra water .
Pruning it in Spring
Pruning " Annabelle " in spring hit its one-time , non - flowering wood and promotes its dull , compact embodiment . In country that experience cold winter , " Annabelle " often dies to found during winter , which is n’t a problem because the shrub bloom on its young Sir Henry Wood . Remaining stems can be pruned at the end of winter . rub pruning shear blades with a cloth that was dipped in rubbing alcohol , and trim the shrub ’s stems to basis level . After you end up pruning , sterilize the pruning shears with rubbing alcoholic drink in the same way you did previously .
Protecting it from Pests and Diseases
Pests are n’t common on " Annabelle , " but the shrub can suffer from foliage and bud disease . Aphids , mites , scale of measurement insects and nematodes are some pest that may infest this bush . aphid are minor insects that cluster on the undersides of leaves and at shoot tips ; mite are too petite to see with the naked eye but often create fine webbing and cause stippled leave-taking ; and plate insects look like petite shells on folio venous blood vessel and base . Spraying the shrub with an insecticidal goop on a murky , windless day helps control those pestilence . Wet all the works ’s part , including leaf bottom , completely with the insecticidal soap , which can be used every one to two weeks if necessary ; the product should be used with care on bloom . Nematodes invade the plant ’s antecedent system and cause it to have poor , stunted maturation . A bush affect by nematodes should be remove and disposed .
symptom of diseases that may taint " Annabelle " include leaf spots , a white , powdery coating , inert , decaying leave and brownish , decaying flower bud . forfend watering the works on an atypical basis and avoid overhead lacrimation to help prevent many diseases and to help preserve the plant ’s blossom . Removing affected leaves and bud helps prevent diseases from propagate .
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