A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs variety, Invincibelle Limetta® Smooth Hydrangea is a shapely, petite native shrub that flowers continuously in large, domed, pale greenish to white mophead blooms from summer well into fall, often to first frost. Borne on new wood, each lush snowball-like bloom is held aloft a backdrop of dark green foliage on a sturdy, flop-proof stem, making an excellent cut flower, both fresh and dried.
After the first frost, flower clusters turn tan to caramel, and along with the shredding and peeling papery brown bark on mature plants that reveals glimpses of the underlying cinnamon hue of stems and branches, they add a textural element to the winter garden, especially pleasing in a snowy landscape. The plant also hosts the hydrangea sphinx moth, and in winter, hollow stems provide nesting habitats for bees.
Invincibelle Limetta hydrangea is highly adaptable and very reliable. The shrub has a dwarf, mounding habit that gives it the flexibility to thrive just about anywhere in the garden, even in containers. It is an excellent specimen but is shown to best effect when massed.
Easy to grow and maintain, both cold hardy and heat tolerant, smooth hydrangea prefers morning sun and afternoon shade; average, well-draining soil; and plenty of water. The plant requires sun to bloom and can tolerate full sun if well watered; however, full sun should be avoided in hot climates. It is intolerant of drought, so it must be kept moist in dry conditions. Spring pruning is recommended.
A native plant, Invincibelle Limetta is indigenous to North America. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.
