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photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

INVINCIBELLE LACE®

Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens subsp. radiata

'SMNHRLL'

PP#33,290; CBRAF

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Close up of Invincibelle Lace's lacecap pink florets "} Invincibelle Lace's green habit in the garden in spring Invincibelle Lace's lacecap florets studded with white flowers against its green foliage Pink forests studded with white flowers in summer YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Pollinator-Friendly
  • Unique Hydrangea
  • Premiere Plant
Description

Some people adore lacecap flowers for their delicate beauty, while others appreciate the pollen for butterflies and bees. This premiere plant, the first ever smooth hydrangea with plum-purple lacy florets, accomplishes both, with strong, wiry stems of a dark ruby hue, that sway gracefully with the wind. Imagine big drifts, flowing through a Piet Oudolf-style garden, and come winter, frosted diamonds and songbirds adorning tawny crowns.

USDA Zone
3-8 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
4-5'
Width
4-5'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
summer
Flower Color
Pink, Purple
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

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.

  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week January 21, 2021
  • Grower Sheet: Invincibelle Lace™ Hydrangea Grower Sheet
  • Spec Sheet: Invincibelle Lace spec sheet
  • Benchcard: Invincibelle Lace™ Hydrangea Benchcard

    • Features: Attracts pollinators, Cut flower, Native

    Filters: Botanical genus: Hydrangea, Common name: Smooth Hydrangea, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Pink flowers, Purple flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Attracts pollinators, Cut flower, Native

    Filters: Botanical genus: Hydrangea, Common name: Smooth Hydrangea, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Pink flowers, Purple flowers, Green foliage