The Hydrangea Quick Fire and Annabelle are hardy no fuss shrubs...

The above image was taken July 19, 2009 from my garden. The Hydrangea Quick fire is planted alongside my pond.

The Hydrangea Quick Fire and Annabelle are hardy no fuss garden shrubs for any zone and any gardens design.

About The Quick Fire Hydrangea

A member of the Pee Gee family, this shrub is amazing. The blooms on this hardy shrub begin as a creamy white color, then turn to a light pink and finish off a deeper rose color. Mine is planted at the pond's edge (in full sun) and already the blooms have turned a few heads. I must say that from beginning to end (planted in June, 2009), the blooms are still growing strong (September 6, 2009).

The large pyramidal-shaped flower heads bloom on new wood and they bloom a month earlier than other varieties. This shrub is truly a no fuss. It grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads from 3 to 4 feet wide. While mine is planted in full sun, this hardy shrub tolerates part shade as well.

The above image is of the Hydrangea Quick Fire once it changes from the creamy white florets to the pinkish red coloring. Image taken September 6, 2009.

About The Annabelle Hydrangea

With huge cloud puff blooms measuring 10" across, this hardy shrub is long lived. The Annabelle also grows on new wood and the same comment on pruning the Quick Fire also applies to the Annabelle.

The Annabelle prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. While afternoon sun won't kill the shrub, blooms will be less.

When re-designing our front yard to include the Berming, we dug out the Annabelle to transplant into the backyard south garden. Unfortunately, I discovered that the 'digging out' did not happen as delicately as possible and several stems broke off. Actually the shrub looked a tangled mess!

I gently moved the shrub to its new home, added organic matter to the soil and added a tablespoon of MYKE growth supplement. To my amazement the Annabelle has grown to a magnificent shrub producing huge white blooms.

The image below is the Annabelle Hydrangea was taken September 1, 2009. Planted in my South Garden, it receive part sun.

Both the Quick Fire and the Annabelle would benefit from a slow release fertilizer given in the spring. While both are not fussy about soil types, add some organic matter and make sure that the soil drains well. Once established they can really survive almost anything including a short drought or a harsh winter.

Just remember to cut off the spent blooms when they turn brown. If you want to dry the bloom heads wait until the end of summer and cut off the brown blooms. Let dry naturally in a vase (they stay brown). If you want to preserve the color, then drying using Silica Gel on fresh blooms is recommended. I have never tried this but I am sure that there are many web sites devoted to drying Hydrangeas.

While you can cut the Quick Fire and the Annabelle down to 18" to 24" above soil level, I believe its better to allow the stems to stay and become stronger. This helps to support the bloom heads. If you do cut the stems down, the blooms will smaller for the next blooming but never disappointing and perhaps the need for a Peony Cage to support the blooms disappears. It's really an individual choice. Many gardeners plant Hydrangeas in mass (at least three together). By planting in mass the shrubs tend to help support each other.

A perfect companion shrubs: Dogwood Shrubs, Barberry Shrubs or the annual Salvia Victoria Blue.

Check out my Site Index Page for a listing of additional annuals and perennials to plant in your flower garden design.

General Features for the Quick Fire Hydrangea

General Features for the Annabelle

Related pages:

Go back from Hydrangea Page to GLM Home Page

Can't find what you are looking for? Use the Search Box below and thanks for visiting my web site.

Please visit again and why not 'Bookmark' this site as a favorite...makes it easy to find us again.