17 Gorgeous Varieties of Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens, also called wild or smooth hydrangea, is native to the United States and grows across varying climates in USDA zones 3-9. Characteristically in white or lime green, newer cultivars in pink, rose, mauve, and cerise brighten the display. Smooth hydrangea flowers appear in domed or flat-topped clusters from early summer through fall.

Wild hydrangeas are cold-hardy and sun-tolerant. They set buds on new wood, making them reliable bloomers even after cold winters. In hot growing areas, they’ll appreciate the morning sun and afternoon shade.

These deciduous flowering shrubs are adaptable, durable, and beautiful landscape performers. They’re ideal in mixed borders, as hedges, and as single specimens in garden beds and containers. Here’s 17 of the best varieties!

‘Annabelle’

	common name ‘Annabelle’
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Annabelle’ has been a garden favorite since its introduction in the 1960s. An original and still highly popular selection,  ‘Annabelle’ has become a synonym for H. arborescens. Pure white snowball blooms grace the shrubs for six to eight weeks in the summer.

Blooms begin pale green and mature to white, finally becoming tan in fall and winter. ‘Annabelle’ naturally mutated to develop bigger blooms. The clusters contain showy, infertile flowers but lack fertile florets (nutrient sources for pollinators). The large flower heads measure six inches across but may reach as much as one foot.

‘Annabelle’ hails from Anna, Illinois, where in 1910, Harriet Kirkpatrick discovered it growing wild while horseback riding on a woodland trail. She transplanted the ornamental species to her yard and shared it with neighbors. The plant spread locally until the 1960s, when a University of Illinois professor and plantsman, Dr. Joseph McDaniel, began cultivating it. This noteworthy native cultivar received the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

‘Incrediball’

	common name Incrediball
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘ABETWO’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

This smooth hydrangea is a showstopper. Its giant snowball blooms in bright white and chartreuse transition to soft green.

‘Incrediball’ is a cultivar of the native species and an improved variety over the classic ‘Annabelle’ smooth hydrangea. Blooms are enormous and reach one foot in diameter! Thousands of petals pack each cluster. It’s good that the stems are more robust than earlier selections to hold the hefty blooms aloft.

The giant blooms appear in early to mid-summer for up to two months. They persist on the stem for added interest.

‘Invincibelle Sublime’

	common name Invincibelle Sublime
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘SMNHRL’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3.5-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Invincibelle Sublime’ is unique in the landscape. It has very dark, lush foliage and mossy green, lime, and creamy white flowers. Each little ivory-lime floret has a delicate pink center. 

‘Sublime’ is among the lime-iest in our arborescens lineup. It creates a striking backdrop for other colorful landscape selections. It lends a refreshing yet neutral aesthetic among leafy greens. 

‘Invincibelle Sublime’ has sturdy stems and an upright form. The large mophead blooms repeat flower into fall.

‘Incrediball Blush’

	common name Incrediball Blush
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCAH4’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

For a sweet addition in silvery pink, look to ‘Incrediball Blush.’ This variety is easy to grow and ideal for beginners. Sturdy stems hold enormous blooms in delicate blush pink that mature to deep pink and green in the fall. ‘Incrediball Blush’ is a reblooming smooth hydrangea variety, producing flowers from early summer until frost for late-season color. 

‘Incrediball Blush’ arose from a collaboration between Dr. Thomas Ranney of North Carolina State University’s breeding program and Spring Meadow Nursery in Michigan and is sold under Proven WinnersⓇ.

‘Invincibelle Spirit II’

	common name Invincibelle Spirit II
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA2’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Invincibelle Spirit II’ is an improved version of ‘Spirit,’ the original pink, mophead bloom twist on ‘Annabelle.’ Deep green foliage gives a handsome backdrop to large, rose-pink blooms that age to green. Stems are solid and sturdy to keep the large flower heads upright.

A unique feature of ‘Spirit II’ is that it reblooms. Its flowers appear from early summer through fall for an extended bloom season. The blooms support pollinators with a combination of fertile florets and sterile flowers, another special feature not all mopheads offer. 

While hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, graduate student Richard Olson discovered the parent plant of ‘Spirit II.’ The plant is out of North Carolina State University’s breeding program. Sold under Proven WinnersⓇ, a portion of the proceeds support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

‘Lime Rickey’

	common name Lime Rickey
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘SMNHALR’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

The ‘Lime Rickey’ smooth hydrangea variety refreshes and delights the garden like its namesake, the fizzy citrus drink. The large, flat disk blooms begin creamy light green and age to deeper antique, mossy shades. Pink centers and pollen dust the petals. 

The shrubs enjoy a long bloom time and are exceptionally cold hardy. Thick stems hold clusters in place without drooping and withstand heavy summer rains.

Fertile flowers comprise the heads, making them attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects. The lime coloration creates a stunning neutral to complement other flowers and foliage. Plants lend a clean, classic look to planting arrangements.

‘Invincibelle Mini Mauvette’

	common name Invincibelle Mini Mauvette
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA7’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Invincibelle Mini Mauvette’ brings big blooms in a tidy, dwarf form. It’s easy to tuck this one into a variety of small spaces. The compact, rounded plants are well-suited to container culture. The rebloomers flower continuously from summer through frost.

‘Mini Mauvette’ features deep rose-purple flower heads. As the blooms develop and age, shades of light to dark pink and mauve occur simultaneously. Strong stems support the inflorescences.

The dome-shaped mopheads reach five to six inches across. They contain both fertile and sterile florets.

‘White Dome’

	common name White Dome
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘Dardom’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘White Dome’ resembles the native species with more prominent blooms and a slightly smaller habit. Its leaves, too, are larger and deep green with silvery undersides. Occurring from a wild cross between unknown parents, the plants grow vigorously with a loose upright habit.

‘White Dome’ has slightly rounded blooms with fertile and sterile florets that pollinators can’t resist. In Mount Cuba Center hydrangea trials, this selection was a top performer regarding pollinator visits.

The cloudlike clusters begin white and become brushed in pink as they age. The flower clusters range between six and ten inches across.

‘Seaside Serenade Bar Harbor’

	common name Seaside Serenade Bar Harbor
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘SMHAMWM’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Seaside Serenade Bar Harbor’ is a compact selection with characteristic dome-shaped mophead blooms. The rounds reach nearly ten inches in size on sturdy, upright stems. 

With loads of creamy white and green flowers, the showy plants grow well in borders and containers. They have full, leafy forms and grow three to four feet tall and wide. 

You can envision these fresh shrubs dotting coastal villages and cottages. Hardy and reliable, the cultivar brings ‘Annabelle’ characteristics to a tighter habit.

‘Haas’ Halo’

	common name ‘Haas’ Halo
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘Haas’ Halo
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 4-6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Haas’ Halo’ is a standout among the species. Huge white lacecaps adorn large, upright shrubs. Pollinators flock to them as perfect landing pads.

Flower heads are attractive on the stem beyond their June and July boomtime. Drying naturally on the stem, they persist into winter. Blue-green foliage lines stout stems that won’t droop or flop in heavy rains. Plants grow well in sun or shade, with uniform branching and consistent flowering. 

Horticulture professor Frederick Ray of Delaware Valley College selected a seedling to propagate from Joan Haas’ Pennsylvania garden. In 2020, the durable and attractive performer received a gold medal from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

‘Invincibelle Ruby’

	common name Invincibelle Ruby
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA3’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Invincibelle Ruby’ spices up the species with shades of ruby red, rose, and silvery pink. Compact plants have stout branching, dark foliage, and repeat flowering for color across multiple seasons.

‘Ruby’ bears rounded flower clusters on full, mounded shrubs. For a punch of soft, rich color, use it in mixed borders, perennial beds, and containers.

‘Grandiflora’

	common name Grandiflora
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘Grandiflora’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Like ‘Annabelle,’ ‘Grandiflora’ is a wild discovery from the early 1900s. Spotted growing in Ohio, Burpee introduced the cultivar as ‘Hills of Snow.’ The shrubs naturally developed showier blooms through a genetic mutation than the straight species. 

Rounded white flower clusters appear for two months, from early to midsummer. They may produce another slight flush in the fall.

‘Grandiflora’ is similar to ‘Annabelle’ but with an earlier bloom time and slightly larger inflorescences. Both grow large with attractive flowers and foliage. Spindly stems flop and lay down under the weighty blooms.

‘Invincibelle Wee White’

	common name Invincibelle Wee White
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA5’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-2.5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Wee White’ is the first dwarf smooth hydrangea variety. It’s a perfect fit for small spaces and pots, as single specimens or in groups.

The low-grower bears recurrent flowers on strong stems. Blooms emerge whitish-pink and mature to white.

‘Invincibelle Wee White’ received the Direct Gardening Association’s Green Thumb award for its landscape performance and novelty. These shrubs are reliable, low-maintenance, and petite.

‘Hayes Starburst’

	common name Hayes Starburst
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘Hayes Starburst’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘Hayes Starburst’ yields starry clusters of rounded blooms from June to September. The compact cultivar grows only two to four feet tall and wide. The flowers are pale lime green, turning to ivory and white. Florets stack neatly for abundant blooms per cluster.

Loads of six to eight-inch flower heads appear among dark, broad leaves. Flowers are sterile.

Hayes Jackson of Anniston, Alabama, found the unique selection growing on his property. While small in stature, stems may flop with heavy flowering.

‘Green Dragon’

	common name Green Dragon
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘Green Dragon’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Green Dragon’ differs from other selections in its deeply serrated foliage. Synonymous with ‘Riven Lace’ and ‘Emerald Lace,’ the plants appear to be selected from the same wild cultivar by Stan Tyson of Illinois.

The foliage is irregular and deeply lobed, appearing tatted and twisted. White lacecaps appear in June through September and reach six to eight inches wide. The shrubs are compact and moderately sized at four to five feet tall and three to four feet wide.

‘Invincibelle Garnetta’

	common name Invincibelle Garnetta
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA6’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2.5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Garnetta’ continues the rosy ‘Invincibelle’ characteristics with carmine-pink flowers and a low-growing habit. It blooms later than other varieties and extends the boomtime with continual flowering.

Like others in the series, it boasts strong branches to support significant clusters on compact plants. The mopheads sparkle with garnet buds that open to deep pink petals.

‘Garnetta’ is carefree and easy to grow. Its size makes it versatile for a number of garden situations in need of bright, colorful pompoms.

‘Endless Summer Bella Anna’

	common name Endless Summer Bella Anna
	botanical name Hydrangea arborescens ‘PIIHA-1’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

We’re accustomed to the gorgeous bigleaf hydrangea selections of the Endless Summer Collection. The series holds the classic mophead and lacecap bloomers in rich blues, pinks, purples, reds, and whites. ‘Bella Anna’ is a smooth hydrangea variety with raspberry-pink and mophead blooms.

‘Bella Anna’ retains its color-saturated hues throughout the season. Each inflorescence may hold over 300 florets, showy and mostly sterile in bold magenta shades. The solid flower heads are the stems’ weight to bear, and they may flop under the burden.

The ball-shaped blooms peak in mid-July. Foliage is coarse and handsome.

Key Takeaways

Smooth-leaved hydrangea varieties grow wild in many areas of the U.S., but have also been bred for exceptional aesthetics. For ultra-large blooms, try ‘Incrediball.’ To enhance pollinator populations, plant ‘White Dome.’ If you’re short on space, try ‘Invincibelle Wee White.’