Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Abetwo' INCREDIBALL)

Overview

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL is a significant improvement upon classic garden hydrangeas, earning its trade name through reliability and sheer visual impact. This cultivar of the Smooth hydrangea is celebrated for producing enormous, globular flower heads, often reaching up to 12 inches in diameter, clad in stunning white blooms from early summer through August. Unlike some predecessors, Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL boasts thicker, stronger stems designed to hold these heavy blossoms upright, even after heavy rain.

As a deciduous shrub, this plant offers reliable structure and low maintenance, making it a staple for gardeners seeking big results with minimal effort. It adapts well to various soil types and tolerates both sun and shade, provided its moisture needs are met consistently. The profuse flowering and robust nature ensure that the Smooth hydrangea remains an outstanding feature in mixed borders or as a dependable screen.

The transition of the sterile flowers from a lime green tinge to pure white provides extended visual interest throughout the season. Gardeners rely on this cultivar—often simply referred to as INCREDIBALL—for its hardiness across a wide range of climates and its exceptional performance when used as a specimen or mass planting.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Hydrangeaceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 4-5 ft
  • Spread: 4-5 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: White
• Sun Exposure: Part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

The ideal location for the Smooth hydrangea is in rich, average soil that maintains even moisture and offers protection from intense afternoon sun. While it prefers part shade, Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL can handle full summer sun if supplemental watering is consistent, as this variety, like others in its group, becomes intolerant of drought quickly. Planting is best done in spring or fall when temperatures are milder to help establishment.

Care for this shrub is straightforward. Ensure medium water needs are met, especially during dry spells, as foliage quality declines noticeably when dry. Pruning is a key cultural practice; because bloom occurs on new wood, gardeners should prune the plant back hard, often cutting stems close to the ground in late winter. This encourages strong, vigorous new growth capable of supporting the massive flower heads of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL. Any visibly damaged or weak stems should be selectively removed in early spring before new growth begins.

In harsh winters where dieback occurs, pruning stems to the ground mimics natural survival mechanisms and guarantees a fresh, floriferous showing the following summer. Since it adapts well to various soil conditions, including clay, foundational soil amendment isn’t mandatory, but excellent drainage is always beneficial.

Landscape Uses

The versatility of the Smooth hydrangea allows it to excel in multiple landscape designs. Its sturdy structure and large blooms make it perfect for mass planting to create an informal hedge or a striking border feature. Use Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL in woodland gardens where its need for dappled light is easily met.

Combine this reliable shrub with later-blooming perennials or plants that appreciate similar moisture levels, such as hostas or astilbes, which will thrive beneath its canopy. When utilized in rain gardens, its tolerance for wetter soils is a significant advantage, helping manage runoff while providing high visual impact. Named cultivars like INCREDIBALL are often specified as effective background plantings due to their manageable height (4-5 ft) and upright habit.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Good Cut
• Good Dried

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hydrangea arborescens, commonly known as smooth hydrangea or wild hydrangea, is a loosely and widely branched deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3-6’ (less frequently to 10’) tall. It is native to moist or rocky wooded slopes, ravines, streambanks and bluff bases from New York to Florida west to Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Gray-brown stems are clad with opposite, broad egg-shaped to rounded, sharply toothed, dark green leaves (2-6” long) with pale green undersides. The specific cultivar ‘Abetwo’ is sold as INCREDIBALL, developed as an improved version of H. ‘Annabelle’, featuring larger globular heads (to 12” diameter) and significantly thicker upright stems that resist flopping when wet. Flowers bloom in early June for up to two months, emerging lime green before maturing to pure white, contrasting beautifully against the dark foliage.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Erosion
• Clay Soil
• Dry Soil
• Wet Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil
• Black Walnut

Potential Problems

Many species of hydrangea, including this one, are susceptible to fungal issues such as leaf spots, powdery mildew, rust, mold, and bacterial wilt. Be vigilant for sap-sucking pests like aphids, scale, and mites, which can weaken stems and foliage. The best preventative measure against most issues, especially encouraging strong stems for heavy bloom, is annual winter pruning. Cutting the stems of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL back to the ground severely limits the potential sites for overwintering pathogens while ensuring robust new growth. Rabbits generally find this specific cultivar unappealing, offering pest resistance in that area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Smooth hydrangea suitable for?

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL is highly versatile and suitable for USDA Zones 3 through 9.

How large does Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL grow?

This shrub typically reaches a mature height between 4 and 5 feet, with an equivalent spread of 4 to 5 feet.

When does Smooth hydrangea bloom?

The INCREDIBALL Hydrangea offers extended flowering from early June through August, displaying masses of white blooms.

What sun exposure does Smooth hydrangea need?

It thrives best in part shade, though it can tolerate more sun if consistent moisture is guaranteed throughout the growing season.

Conclusion

The Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL offers unparalleled beauty through its massive, reliable white blooms held aloft by strong stems, confirming its status as a very low-maintenance star. This superb Smooth hydrangea brings season-long color and texture without the constant upkeep often associated with flowering shrubs. Before planting, always confirm that your local USDA hardiness zone falls between 3 and 9 to ensure success with this superior cultivar.

Companion Planting

Choosing plants that share the cultural needs of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL is key to a happy mixed border. Because this hydrangea prefers moist, medium soil and part shade, consider pairing it with other woodland garden favorites. Astilbe (false spirea) is an excellent choice, offering contrasting foliage texture and complementary summer color in shades of pink or red, thriving happily in the dappled light beneath the hydrangea canopy. Hostas, especially the varieties with blue or chartreuse foliage, provide year-round interest near the base of the shrub, enhancing the rich green backdrop of the leaves.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Late Winter is the critical time for managing your Smooth hydrangea. This is the ideal window for the rejuvenation pruning, which involves cutting all stems back close to the ground. This practice ensures that all blooms next season are borne on strong, new wood, capable of supporting the large flower heads of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL. In early spring, inspect for any weakened stems that survived the winter pruning and remove them cleanly before swelling buds emerge. Throughout the summer, close monitoring of moisture levels is essential; deep, consistent watering during periods of heat will keep the foliage looking lush and prevent stress.