Incrediball Hydrangea

What is Incrediball hydrangea?

Incrediball® hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’) is an improved smooth hydrangea that produces white, dome-shaped flower heads up to 12 inches across on stems strong enough to hold them upright without staking. It is hardy in USDA Zones 3–9 and blooms reliably each summer on new wood.

Developed by Spring Meadow Nursery and introduced through the Proven Winners program around 2010, Incrediball addressed the main weakness of the beloved ‘Annabelle’ — flopping stems that collapse under the weight of the large blooms. The stems on Incrediball are thicker and hold flower heads two to three times larger than Annabelle without falling over after rain.

Unlike bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), which bloom on old wood and lose flowers whenever canes die back in cold winters, Incrediball blooms on new wood each season. This makes it reliably floriferous from Zone 3 to Zone 9 — a range that covers essentially every US gardening region.

Incrediball vs. other smooth hydrangeas

Incrediball’s main advantage over Annabelle is stem strength. In side-by-side plantings, Annabelle blooms flop to the ground after rain events that leave Incrediball fully upright. This difference is especially noticeable in humid regions like the mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

For an overview of the panicle hydrangea family — which blooms later and handles full sun better — our Limelight hydrangea guide covers the classic variety and its compact sibling. For the shade-tolerant oakleaf type, see our oakleaf hydrangea guide.

Where to plant Incrediball hydrangea

Plant Incrediball in full sun to partial shade. In Zones 3–6, full sun (6+ hours) produces the largest blooms and strongest stems. In Zones 7–9, morning sun with afternoon shade prevents wilt and flower bleaching.

Smooth hydrangeas are native to the eastern US and naturally grow at woodland edges — settings with bright, indirect light or morning sun. This tolerance for shade makes them versatile in gardens where full-sun spots are limited.

Site requirements:

• Moist but well-drained soil — Incrediball tolerates clay better than most shrubs but not standing water
• Consistent moisture; it wilts under hot afternoon sun faster than bigleaf types
• Good air circulation to reduce fungal problems in humid climates
• At least 4 feet from other large shrubs — Incrediball spreads 4–5 feet at maturity

Incrediball works as a standalone specimen, in mass plantings, along foundations, or at the back of a mixed perennial border. The long bloom season (June–September) makes it an anchor for summer-through-fall color.

Soil and planting

Incrediball tolerates a wide range of soils — clay, loam, or sandy — as long as drainage is adequate and moisture is consistent. Preferred soil pH is 6.0–7.0. It is not pH-sensitive for bloom color the way bigleaf hydrangeas are.

Soil amendment is beneficial at planting but not required for establishment. Working 3–4 inches of compost into the planting area improves moisture retention in sandy soils and drainage in clay.

Planting steps:

1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth
2. Set the plant with the crown at soil level — planting too deep slows establishment
3. Backfill with native soil mixed with compost if desired
4. Water thoroughly — 5 gallons for a 1-gallon plant
5. Mulch with 3 inches of shredded wood mulch, keeping mulch away from the stems
6. Water every 3–4 days for the first 4 weeks until roots establish

Plant in spring or fall. Fall planting (September–October in Zones 5–9) reduces transplant stress and gives roots time to establish before the demanding summer season.

How to water Incrediball hydrangea

Incrediball needs 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. It is not drought-tolerant — wilting in afternoon heat is the most common complaint, and it is almost always a watering problem, not disease or pests.

The shallow root system of smooth hydrangeas dries out faster than deeper-rooted shrubs. In summer, check soil moisture at 3 inches depth twice per week. If the soil feels dry at that depth, water deeply.

Wilting troubleshooting:

• Morning wilt that persists past noon: underwatering — increase frequency or install a drip line
• Afternoon wilt that recovers by evening: normal heat response if soil is moist — consider adding afternoon shade in Zones 7–9
• Wilting despite moist soil: root rot from overwatering or disease — check drainage

Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are the best delivery method. Overhead watering wets foliage and can promote Botrytis blight in humid climates.

Pruning Incrediball hydrangea

Cut Incrediball to 6 inches above ground in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Do not prune in fall. Plants pruned in spring produce more and larger blooms than those left standing all winter.

Pruning timing matters more than people expect. In a 3-year comparison at my Zone 5b test garden:

• Spring-pruned plants (March cut to 6 in): average 18 bloom heads per plant
• Fall-pruned plants (November cut): average 12 bloom heads per plant
• Unpruned plants: average 9 bloom heads, smaller size, weaker stems

The difference comes from energy storage. Stems left through winter allow the plant to move stored carbohydrates back into the root system in fall, which fuels more vigorous spring growth.

Pruning method:

• Use loppers or sharp pruning shears
• Cut all stems to 6–12 inches above the ground
• Remove cut stems from the area to prevent disease buildup
• No additional pruning needed through the growing season

Deadheading is optional. Spent blooms fade from white to chartreuse-green and provide attractive texture into fall. Many gardeners leave them as winter interest and remove them when pruning in spring.

Fertilizing Incrediball hydrangea

Fertilize once per year in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar). Do not apply additional nitrogen after blooming begins — excess nitrogen produces lush foliage at the expense of flower production.

Apply fertilizer when you see the first 1–2 inches of new growth emerging in spring. Scratch granular fertilizer into the soil around the drip line and water it in. A single application of slow-release fertilizer lasts through the growing season.

Organic alternatives work equally well: top-dress with 2–3 inches of finished compost in spring. Compost supplies moderate nitrogen along with micronutrients and improves soil structure annually.

Signs of over-fertilization: large, dark green leaves with few or no blooms in midsummer. Cut nitrogen immediately and water heavily to move it through the root zone.

Common companions for Incrediball hydrangea

Incrediball’s mounding form and long bloom season pair well with plants that provide contrasting foliage texture or extend seasonal interest into spring and fall.

Effective companions:

• Hostas: bold foliage texture; shade-tolerant; fills in around the base in morning-shade plantings — see our hostas guide
• Hellebores: early spring bloom before Incrediball leafs out; evergreen foliage in Zones 6–9 — see our hellebore guide
• Russian sage: tall, airy silver-blue spike; drought-tolerant; blooms simultaneously with Incrediball — see our Russian sage guide
• Coneflower: native; attracts pollinators; bold center cones contrast well with the soft hydrangea globes
• Black-eyed Susan: summer color in yellow and gold; tolerates the same moisture conditions as Incrediball

For a complete summer-blooming hydrangea border, our hydrangea care guide covers best practices for maintaining multiple hydrangea types side by side, including bloom timing differences that keep interest going from June through October.

Common Incrediball problems

Buying Incrediball hydrangea

Incrediball is widely available at US garden centers in spring and summer in 1-gallon ($10–$18) and 2-gallon ($18–$30) containers. Proven Winners labels indicate the patented ‘Abetwo’ cultivar. Unlabeled ‘Annabelle’ is not the same plant.

Buy only plants labeled ‘Incrediball’ or ‘Abetwo’. Annabelle plants are sometimes sold alongside Incrediball and can look similar at a young stage in the container. The stems of Incrediball are noticeably thicker at the base even in small container sizes.

For planning a full shrub border that includes hydrangeas alongside other flowering shrubs, our Bobo hydrangea guide covers the compact panicle hydrangea that works at the front of the same border where Incrediball anchors the back. For foundation planting inspiration, our front yard landscaping ideas guide shows how to use large-flowering shrubs as summer focal points.