Annabelle hydrangeas are spectacular shrubs. They are reliable, easy to grow, and put on a great show every year. I have three of them surrounding my porch.
Every year, my Annabelles host soccer ball sized pure white blooms. The blossoms are so heavy that the rain makes the entire plant fall into the sidewalk. It takes both my husband and I working at it to lasso and hitch them to the porch railings with thick rope. He keeps asking me to move them, but I love how simplistic their blossoms look against our white railing and Victorian-styled house. I had better start coming up with new and better excuses because the shrubs' height well exceed the height of the railing every year. I also promise I will try to find a way to keep my Annabelles in check... next year.
I came across an article about Annabelles that suggested cutting them completely back to the ground. It promised they would spring back to life in the growing season. Forgive me for not immediately grabbing my pruners, but I am leery of ruthless trimming techniques. It had to simmer with me for a while, but this winter, I finally gave into the idea. I cut them back to 3 inches above ground and I bit my nails in anticipation for Spring. Had I killed my Annabelles? If they came back, how would they perform?
I am happy to report that the experiment was met with results just as the article stated. The Annabelles made a mighty comeback. They are just as tall as they have been in the past and they are on time to producing blooms.
Unfortunately, this did not solve my original problem of keeping the blooms off the sidewalk. They aren't laying there yet, but give them another month. I look forward to seeing their huge white blossoms (and bringing in a fresh batch of dried ones to over-winter in a vase). I also look forward to the annual conversation with my hubby about how to restrain my beloved hydrangeas and the pursuit of a permanent solution.
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