photo source: Spring Meadow Nursery

Hydrangea Invincibelle® Spirit ranks as one of the finest new plant introductions in 2010.  This hydrangea comes from a good bloodline. Invincibelle® Spirit is a pink flowering clone originating from Annabelle. The cultivar ‘Annabelle’ (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’) has been a star in Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) for the past quarter century. 

 Invincibelle® Spirit grows in a wide variety of well-drained soils. It adapts to many light regimes in the garden from full to partial sun. The 3- to 4- foot tall shrub blooms on new or current season’s wood.

Annual pruning is simply to cutback plant height to 8-12 inches before new growth begins in early spring.  Fertilize established shrubs in early spring using 10-10-10 or equivalent. Irrigate new plants weekly and established shrubs over prolonged dry spells.

One dollar from each plant sold is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The goal of the U.S. Nursery Industry is to raise $1 million in the mission to find a cure in our lifetime. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

Update (December 2012). Since 2009, more than $472,000 has been raised since Invincibelle Spirit was introduced.