{"product_id":"incrediball-hydrangea","title":"Incrediball Hydrangea","description":"\u003ch1\u003eHuge Basketball-Size White Blooms on a Tough, Reliable Hydrangea\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncrediball Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Abetwo') is a beefed-up, sturdier-stemmed Annabelle — a smooth hydrangea that produces enormous, basketball-size white flower heads on stems strong enough to hold them upright. As a smooth hydrangea it blooms on new wood and is reliably hardy across Minnesota, flowering every year even after a hard winter. It also takes more shade than panicle types. Whether you're filling a part-shade border in Edina, lining a shaded foundation in Woodbury, or cutting giant blooms in Maple Grove — Incrediball is a dependable performer for zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIncrediball Hydrangea Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHydrangea arborescens 'Abetwo'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmooth Hydrangea, Incrediball Hydrangea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast — vigorous; sturdier stems than old-fashioned Annabelle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade. Takes more shade than panicle hydrangeas; afternoon shade is welcome in MN.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high. Prefers consistent moisture; wilts in heat if dry.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — fully hardy and reliable here\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and most soils; prefers moist, well-draining ground.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — green leaves drop in fall; dried flower heads persist for winter interest.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. Blooms every year on new wood — as foolproof as panicle hydrangeas in MN.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot deer-resistant — protect from browsing in high-pressure areas.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEnormous basketball-size white globes, early summer into fall, on new wood; native species (H. arborescens).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIncrediball Hydrangea Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart-shade borders\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike panicles, smooth hydrangeas take real part shade, making Incrediball a great choice for a shaded border or a spot under high tree canopy in Edina or Minnetonka.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBig bold blooms and hedges\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe giant white globes make a dramatic statement; planted 4–5 feet apart they form a billowy flowering hedge that rebounds fast each spring on new wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCut and dried flowers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe huge heads are spectacular fresh and dry well — a single bloom fills a vase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Incrediball Hydrangea in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Incrediball Hydrangea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart shade is fine — morning sun with afternoon shade keeps the big blooms fresh in summer heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace 4–5 feet apart for a hedge; give specimens room to reach full width.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept 2 inches off the stems. Cut back to about 2 feet in early spring — it blooms on new wood and benefits from a hard spring cut for strong stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Incrediball Hydrangea in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 2–3 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 3–5 days; the big blooms wilt fast in heat, so don't let it dry out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants need deep watering during dry spells and summer heat. Smooth hydrangeas appreciate steady moisture to support those enormous heads. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf used, place emitters 12–18 inches from the crown and keep the root zone evenly moist. Always winterize the system — blow out the lines before freeze and shut timers off by early October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Incrediball survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily — smooth hydrangeas are hardy to zone 3 and bloom on new wood, so they flower reliably every year in the Twin Cities, even after a hard winter. No protection needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Annabelle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncrediball has much sturdier stems and even larger flower heads, so it resists the flopping that old-fashioned Annabelle is known for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it grow in shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — smooth hydrangeas take more shade than panicles, performing well in part shade where panicle types would bloom less.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I prune it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut it back to about 2 feet in early spring before growth starts. It blooms on new wood, and a hard spring cut encourages strong, upright stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvincibelle Wee White — a dwarf smooth hydrangea for small yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimelight Hydrangea — a classic hardy panicle for sunny borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Incrediball Hydrangeas Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a billowy flowering hedge, space Incrediball about 4 feet apart (it matures 4–5 feet wide):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHedge Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a specimen, give a single plant a 5-foot circle; in a part-shade border, groups of 3 at 4-foot spacing make the biggest white show. Because it's cut to 2 feet each spring, the hedge resets and refills reliably every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIncrediball Hydrangea Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut it back hard to about 2 feet in April; vigorous new shoots rocket up — every bloom forms on this new wood, so winter never costs you flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Enormous basketball-size globes open lime, mature to pure white, and keep coming from early summer into fall on stems that don't flop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heads age to parchment-green and tan — spectacular for drying — while the foliage drops to reveal the architecture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dried flower heads persist on sturdy stems, catching snow for months of structure until the spring cut-back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/invincibelle-wee-white-hydrangea\"\u003eInvincibelle Wee White Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pairing: a true dwarf smooth hydrangea to step the white blooms down to the front of the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/limelight-hydrangea\"\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic hardy panicle for the sunnier end of the same border, extending bloom into fall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/annabelle-hydrangea\"\u003eAnnabelle Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — the beloved original Incrediball improves on; plant both and compare stem strength yourself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/invincibelle-ruby-hydrangea\"\u003eInvincibelle Ruby Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — ruby buds and silvery-pink globes for color contrast with the giant white heads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Incrediball Hydrangea Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncrediball thrives in morning sun with afternoon shade — or real part shade under high canopy — in moist, compost-amended clay-loam, and it blooms every single year on new wood no matter how brutal the winter. It's not a fit for hot, dry, neglected spots or high deer-pressure yards without protection: the big heads wilt fast in drought, and deer will browse it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54312853668145,"sku":null,"price":43.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54312853700913,"sku":null,"price":50.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/incrediball-hydrangea.jpg?v=1779596782","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/incrediball-hydrangea","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}