This is the fourth summer I have had these in the ground, and the second summer in their current location. I moved them three times in order to find a location they liked, which ultimately is on the northeast side of my home as a foundation planting alongside my wrap-around porch. . They only get morning sun, which they seem to appreciate in our hot and humid southern summers and the cement porch seems beneficial towards keeping a cooler microclimate. Care-wise, I cut them back dramatically when they were first planted (and transplanted) and then watered them in very well with a drip hose. I cut them back in early spring and in both fall and spring I top dressed them with compost. I also keep them well mulched. Now that I have found a good location for them they are doing very well and the blooms are incredible. I can’t bring myself to cut them because they just look so pretty on the plant. I’ve had no trouble with these that wasn’t a factor of my own learning curve, and they recovered well from every move. I would definitely buy them again if I wanted a hydrangea this size.
Invincibelle® Spirit II Smooth hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
- Part Sun to Sun
- Sun
- Summer
- Fall
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Details
42 - 48 Inches42 - 60 Inches42 - 48 Inches1.1m - 1.2m1.1m - 1.5m1.1m - 1.2mFeatures
An improved version of the original pink 'Annabelle' hydrangea.
Invincibelle Spirit II hydrangea represents the best in full-sized pink 'Annabelle' hydrangeas. It offers handsome, dark green foliage, sturdy, strong stems that prevent flopping, and large blooms of deep pink that age to an attractive green. Plus, it reblooms, delivering waves of fresh flowers through autumn. This North American native hydrangea grows over a huge range of the US and Canada, thriving in chilly USDA zone 3 as well as in steamy zone 8.
$1 from each Invincibelle® Spirit II sold is donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. We encourage you to donate as well. BCRF is dedicated to advancing the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.
Find out more about the Invincibelle Spirit campaign.
As seen in the Giver ad.
Continuous Bloom or RebloomerDeadheading Not NecessaryNative to North AmericaCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:DeciduousHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:42 - 48 Inches 1.1m - 1.2mSpacing:42 - 60 Inches 1.1m - 1.5mSpread:42 - 48 Inches 1.1m - 1.2mFlower Colors:PinkFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:Dark GreenHabit:MoundedContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:New WoodBloom Time:Summer through FallHardiness Zones:3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8aWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:Mass plantings, landscapes, naturalizing, cutting gardens, mixed borders.
Maintenance Notes:We recommend a minimum of four hours of sun for best flower color and stem strength. Invincibelle Spirit II hydrangea can grow in full sun in cooler climates, but afternoon shade is recommended in hot areas. In all areas, a good 2-3" (5-7 cm) layer of shredded bark mulch is recommended to keep the roots cool and growing vigorously.
Prune Invincibelle Spirit II, and all smooth hydrangeas, in early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge. Cut the whole plant back by about one-third its total height. Many people cut the plant back more severely, but that deprives the plant of the opportunity to develop the strongest, woodiest stems. If you wish, you may prune in fall, once the plant has gone completely dormant.
Deadheading - removing the spent flowers - is not necessary for this plant to continue to bloom. However, you may remove old flowers if you wish. And by all means, cut stems to enjoy indoors - they make a great cut flower and won't be harmed by cutting.
Fun Facts:The pink hydrangea used to develop Invincibelle Spirit II hydrangea was discovered by a graduate student hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Invincibelle® Spirit II Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA2' USPP 28,316, Can 5,622 -
20 Reviews
5743312613Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
Jessica, North Carolina, United States, 28 min ago
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The flowers did not look like the ones in the picture. Ugly color and small flowers even after 2 years in the ground. The plant is weak and almost dead. Totally disappointed. Wasted my money and space. Stick with the lime light or incrediball if you want beautiful flowers. Only these 2 are doing well and blooming beautifully. Fire light is less beautiful and average.
Sunny89cd, Virginia, United States, 1 year ago -
I bought this plant end of 2021 .. November or December,,, dormant. It was the last one at center. Only around 3 stems... ..one stem around 15 inches long and the other only about 6 inches... Sad looking. -WOW!!!!!!!!! in one growing season it has reached OVER 3 FEET TALL AND WIDE!!!!! I've never seen anything like it!!! Amazing growth! It had a good amount of blooms and I LOVE the green color it turns. Very healthy smooth hydrangea. I'm hoping it's blooms get pinker as it matures. I just bought another one dormant yesterday!!!
Marie White, Michigan, United States, 2 years ago -
I planted these last fall so this is the first season and I am really happy with them so far. They are blooming nicely and I enjoy the varying shades of pink & mauve that each bloom has. The stems are sturdy yet loose and casual. I have seen other reviews say they turn an ugly green but so far I’ve not seen that. My mom is a 2x cancer survivor so I also appreciate knowing that a contribution was made to research cancer. I am in Zone 4.
Cheryl, Minnesota, United States, 2 years ago -
Have three Invincible Spirit plants in front of my home. Beautiful pink blooms all summer. Survives the winter snow really well.
Ted T, Vermont, United States, 4 years ago -
A favorite of mine and friends as it grows with vigor in MA and the blossoms transition beautifully from pink to antique shades. New blooms appear on young young shoots after the initial spectacular blossoming. Easy to grow. Not susceptible to winter damage. Blooms on new wood.
MARCIA CHAPMAN, Massachusetts, United States, 4 years ago -
My second year with Spirit II. No blooms first year. This year the stems are rather leggy, but full of GREEN blooms. Nothing remotely pink about the blooms. Full sun, shade in late afternoon. Will give it the famous 3rd year before I give up on it. Very disappointed.
Meg, Kansas, United States, 4 years ago -
Bought 4 plants 3 years ago and planted them in a row. Next year two of them died and PW send replacements. The following year the other two died. Now I am down to the 2 replacement plants. All the plants were very prone to disease and the flowers were few and far in between. Would not recommend.
dinakarj, Illinois, United States, 5 years ago -
Beautiful and hardy hydrangea, the bees love mine.
Alason Jones, 5 years ago -
My wife bought this because it supports breast cancer research. The flowers, therefore, should be PINK, as advertised. The plant grew large. The blooms start pink and look great, but, unfortunately, they turn an ugly green color within a few weeks. This happened every year. Other people have mentioned this problem on the Proven Winners website. My wife is so disappointed that she's going to have it removed and replaced with a plant that performs as advertised. This one obviously does not, since several of us have the same problem and no know solution.
Steve E, Idaho, United States, 5 years ago
2 More colors
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