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Meet the Breeder

Megan Mathey
Grand Haven, Michigan

INCREDIBALL STORM PROOF™

Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

'SMNHAGOV'

PPAF; CBRAF

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Incrediball Storm Proof smooth hydrangea with multiple white blooms and dark green foliage in a landscape.

Three bees pollinating the white flowers of Incrediball Storm Proof smooth hydrangea.

Incrediball Storm Proof smooth hydrangea with large green and white flowers in a landscape.

Two smooth hydrangeas, full of large white mophead flowers, blooming against a blue sky.

A smooth hydrangea with dozens of large white mophead blooms and stems that are clearly visible and strong and sturdy to hold up the blooms.

The dried green blooms of Incrediball Storm Proof hydrangea remain strongly upright even though they are several weeks old.

YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page

Sturdy stems
Extremely floriferous
Attracts pollinators

Description

As the name suggests, Incrediball Storm Proof smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) tackles the most common complaint people have with the genus: while other smooth hydrangeas flop, this incredibly stout and sturdy stemmed beauty holds its blooms upright during—and even after—heavy summer downpours. Though its blooms aren’t quite as gigantic as the original Incrediball®, they are so numerous and large in proportion to this compact variety that it absolutely lives up to the expectations associated with this now household name. It's a robust, vigorous, heavy bloomer with a rounder, denser habit than other smooth hydrangeas.

As with all Hydrangea arborescens, we recommend producing Incrediball Storm Proof in two gallon or larger containers.

USDA Zone: 3 - 8 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure: Full sun, Part sun
Height: 3.5-4'
Width: 3-4'
Finish Time: 1 season
Type: Deciduous
Bloom Time: Summer
Flower Color: White
Foliage Color: Green
Liner Sizes: 2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

General Care

Soil

Grows well in most soils; avoid wet and poorly drained sites. Mulch is recommended in the landscape.

Pruning

Blooms on new wood - cut back by about one-third its total height in early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge on the stems. Smooth hydrangeas may be cut back harder, however, this prevents woody cells from developing, prohibiting the plant from achieving its maximum stem strength.

Uses

Versatile and showy, smooth hydrangeas offer dozens of landscape applications: foundation plantings, perennial gardens, hedges, cut flower gardens, naturalizing, pollinator and wildlife gardens.

Growing Tips

We recommend full sun for smooth hydrangeas in the cooler end of its hardiness range; afternoon shade is a good idea in warmer climates, however. The flower color of smooth hydrangeas is not influenced by soil chemistry. Makes an excellent cut flower, both cut and dried.