In the south shore, MA currently staring out at all my poor Annabelle’s currently weighed down by all this rain we’ve been getting😭

Im in Billings Montana. How old are those Annabelle's? Mine is three years oldthis summer and is just getting established. I love my hydrangeas.

Hi from New Zealand! It’s pruning time here at the moment, so thanks for your very informative video! 😊

Hi Kelly! Im from Ontario Canada. Thanks for sharing your tips.we have giant. Annanbelles and Im wondering if we should cut them back now or in the spring. In your video you did mention both. Thank you.

Viewing from Kyneton Victoria Australia. I have Annabelles across the south side of our house. They are wonderful, just get late afternoon sun. Thankyou for your expertise. Beverley

You are very welcome . Sounds like you are a true flower fan . Me too! 🌸🌸🌸

ProPlugger Thank you Proplugger 🌸👍

Eli Magids Thank you . I’m with you ... nature is so amazing . 👏👏🌸🌸🌸

Moi Gon Sure thing . Thank you for your kind comment !🌸😊

Hi Art , so fun to hear about your Annabelle pruning history. I love to compare pruning stories to see what works for other gardeners 👏👏😊 . I used to prune way back too but now I’m on team “ never pruning them back again if I don’t have too” . I love the sturdier stems too on the unpruned Annabelles .

Thank you for checking in from Connectitct 🌎👏😊🌸

Wow well I'm from Idaho mine are beautiful also

I prune my Annabelle in late winter to 12” tall. I’m in Zone 8A, Atlanta, GA. They are 9 years old and the blooms were absolutely breathtaking at 12 to 13” wide! This was a great year! ❤

You're welcome , glad you enjoyed 🌸🌿

I’m from NY originally . We tend to cut to the chase . 🌸🌸 Thank you for your kind comment Patrisha 🌸🌸

I agree you get straight to the point. Some videos drag on and on before they start the topic

Hey Corinne, I’ll bet they made amazing wedding flowers . Did you cut them in the fresh or dried stage for those ? Great idea to plant more of these Annabelle hydrangeas . They are so gorgeous and low maintenance. Thanks for your comment 🌸😊

Thank you very much 🌸😊

Hi🤝👈

Thank you for your kind comment flower friend ! Welcome to our Flower Tribe 🌻🌻

Hi🤝👈

How did they do last summer?

Hey @Bengal Cat. Thanks for checking in from Wisconsin👋🌏. Happy growing flower friend 🌸😊

Hi🤝👈

You bet!🌸😊

Happy to help . Thank you for watching . 🌸🤗

Happy to help . Thank you for watching . 🌸🤗

Hi Lori I appreciate the kind comment 😊 Thank you for checking in from Atlanta 👋😊👍🌎🌸, happy to have you in the Flower Tribe 🌸

So happy to welcome you to our flower tribe !

Hi🤝👈👈

Thank you for your kind comment !

@@KellyLehman Your'e welcome!

SuperHeroLifeStyle 🌸🌸🌸

So glad you liked them. I love your country! i went to school outside of Dublin for 6 months way back in the day. Which county are you from ?

@@KellyLehman from County Mayo 😍

Thank you Little Missy, so kind of you to say so . 🌻😀

Hi🤝👈

Thank you for checking in from the UK ! Glad you enjoyed the video 🌸👍👋🌎🤗

I'm so glad to hear the video was helpful and that your hydrangeas are looking beautiful ! Lucy says hi to you and your berner🐶🐶

Hi🤝👈

Thank you for checking in and for your kind comment . I just gave you a shout out on my cranburyfields Instagram page 👍🌸🌎

You're welcome, so glad it was helpful🌸👍

Hi🤝👈

Hi🤝👈

You are so very welcome 🌸

Hey Kim . Thanks for checking in from the UK 👋🌍 I agree with you about holding off on pruning your hydrangea if it looks good. Is yours in bloom now with the striking red color ?

@@KellyLehman The blossoms are just turning pink now. This is the first time I've grown them in my garden 💕 just love them!! (I think they do go darker red)

Wishing you beautiful Annabelle hydrangea blooms 🌸 🌸 🌸 I agree they are beautiful !

Thank you Connie . Appreciate your kind comments 🌸🌸🤗

Hey there Lisa, thanks for checking in from Michigan 🌍👋 I planted these gals a few years ago when they were much smaller. They were planted about 3-4 feet apart from each other and then filled out to the much larger plants you see in this video . Good luck planting yours . I am sure you will love them . They enjoy morning sun and afternoon shade.

You're very welcome 🌸🤗

I live in Charleston,SC an have a Anna belle,but I didn't plant it, it was here when we moved here. , it was planted in the wrong spot an gets hot afternoon sun, but it still blooms pretty well.It is about 25 years old an afraid to move it, any suggestions? Enjoyed your video very much

If its blooming so pretty i would consider leaving it be. However, if you have to move it due to a new landscaping plan or project, i found this information for you online ..... The best time for hydrangea transplanting is just after the bushes have gone dormant in the autumn. This means the flowers have all died back and most, or all, of the leaves have dropped. In cooler climates, the best time for moving hydrangea bushes is November, when the bush is dormant but the ground is not yet frozen solid. In warmer climates where the ground doesn’t freeze, you can do your hydrangea transplanting between December and February. While these are the best times for moving hydrangea bushes, you can really do it any time during the year without killing the plant, provided it’s not in the heat of summer. Read more at Gardening Know How: Moving Hydrangea Bushes: How And When To Transplant Hydrangea www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/transplanting-hydrangea-bushes.htm

Hi...I am from Union, NJ. We don't have the Annabelle, but we have a blue hydrangea like you see down the shore but it hasn't bloomed in years. It's in full sun, southern exposure and this year I'm not cleaning it up in the spring. I'm just letting it be. I usually get rid of dead stuff but maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Carol G Hi Carol. Thanks for checking in from Union NJ 👋🌎. It sounds like you May have a Nikki hydrangea . You are smart not to cut it back this coming season since the Nikki hydrangea blooms grow on old wood with blooms set from the season before . This means if you prune it back in spring , you risk pruning off all the new blooms . I made a hydrangea video explaining this on my hydrangea playlist in this channel . Welcome to our Flower Tribe 🌸🌸😊

I'm in Vancouver BC and have one Annabelle out in front of the house. I love this Hydrangea, however i just wish it was tougher! They fall over so easily with inclement weather which can be frustrating. I do my best to keep it upright by tying. Maybe these do better as a hedge???

Epic Real Estate Investing So happy to hear that 👏🌸

Hi Melina 👋👋 So glad you are enjoying the channel👍🤗

Thank you for checking in from Maryland 🌸👍👋🌎🤗

Val and Vino We had a ton of rain this year . That seems to help a lot

Hi Debbie 👋👋 Thank you for checking in from Florence Alabama 🌎🤗🌸👋👍

Super hydrangea Byron 👏😀. I planted them about 4-6 feet apart many years ago knowing they would get large and i didn't want them to be overcrowded. They also self propogate sometimes so the extra space between them was great . Happy Planting 😀👏🌻

Hi Monique , loved you kind comments thank you . I found some information for you regarding the pink spots on your white hydrangea plants . Hope this helps .. 😊🌸 Re: Why does my new white hydrangea have pink spots? Quote Fri Apr 28, 2017 11:35 am Hello, pricci85. I am not quite certain of the cause without a picture or the name of this shrub but, below are some reasons (I am assuming the spots are in the blooms and not the leaves)... (a) hydrangea blooms change colors as they age. A white bloom, for example, may start a bit on the green/yellow side, then turn white, then turn a mix of white-pink, white-blue or white-pink-green (varies from one hydrangea to another). After going through a plethora of color and shade changes, the spent blooms finally end brown-ish in the Fall/Winter. Each phase of color change lasts "a while"; maybe 2-4 weeks or more.... Heat and lack of water can "expedite" these color changes. (b) some white blooming hydrangeas will naturally develop a colored single spot in the center of the bloom. This spot will be white or it can be pink in alkaline soil or blue in acidic soil. If you look incredibly close to the bloom, the spot resembles a tiny pumpkin. Those are the 'real' flowers. (c) overhead watering on blooms can make the surface of the blooms develop breaks or injuries that develop fungal infections, which appear as spots of various colors. (d) some varieties of hydrangeas naturally develop spots on blooms. If not mistaken, pink-blooming Preziosa is well known for developing these spots. They actually look nice enough that some people buy it because of the spots. (e) Some people have noticed some speckling after frequent rains or after doing frequent waterings so there may be a connection between the sepals getting wet and the speckling. But there is not much one can do to reverse or prove the connection, other than not to do overhead watering. ;o) Source ➡️ www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=71892

So happy to hear that . I’m sure you will love your Annabelle 🌸😊

Thank you for checking in from St. Louis , Missouri 🌎👋👏🌸

Hi Barbara, thank you for your hydrangea question 👏 Yep, these tips apply to your neck of the woods too. If the Annabelles are still looking soundly next early spring , I would prune them back to about 2 feet to give them a slight recharging. The two feet you leave on will help support the new stems that come in . Happy gardening 🌸🌸

Hi Bonnie , the lime green color will develop whether you prune them or not . Annabelle hydrangeas are similar to limelight hydrangeas in that they start out with white blooms that turn to shades of green in late summer . Annabelles get super lime green 🌸🤗

morning sun and early afternoon sun, in my experience. I am near Barrie!

I'm glad to hear! Wishing you a beautiful and successful garden this summer 👍🌸

🌸🌸🌸🌸

Have you heard of the variety called Incrediball by Proven Winners? They are supposed to be similar to Annabelles but the stems are stronger so they are not supposed to flop . 🌸🌸

Thank you for checking in from Michigan🌍👏😊

Ohhhh let me know the name of the mini Annabelle. Sounds like something id like to grow in the smaller areas of the garden.looking forward to following your awesome tips too!!!! You guys are growing so fast ! 👏👏🌺

Kelly Lehman Hi Kelly!!! 😃💚 I just planted Invincibelle Limettas a little smaller than the original Annabelle and there is another much smaller called Invincibelle Wee White. They are all beautiful! Hope you get to add them to your garden. There is always room for more specially hydrangeas lol. Have a wonderful and most beautiful day! 😃💐💚💚💚💚💚💚

@@GardenObsessions Oh you are just the best! i hadn't heard of these guys yet. Do they bloom early in the season like Annabelle or later in the season light the limelight hydrangeas? Love your garden know how. You guys are the pros. xoxoxox

Kelly Lehman They bloom summer through fall. Im going to keep my eyes on them because in NC everything bloomed so early for me in warmer weather. It’s a little cooler here in Virginia, so curious on how they will do. And thank you Kelly you are the sweetest! You encourage me to keep going and follow my dreams every day. Keep doing what you are doing my friend you make a difference in people’s life’s you bring sunshine thank you for spreading so much good! 😃💐💚💚💚💚💚💚

@@GardenObsessions So glad we are growing our dreams together . You guys have made amazing strides on all of your garden platforms. You've been bringing me encouragement from day one and are also making peoples lives better for what you share in your gardening world each week. So happy to have found you early in the game . xoxoxoxx

Hey Mitzi, so happy you are part of our Flower Tribe! I am originally from New York 💃😊🌸 Here is a link to my amazon shop page . Go to my list called “plants for your garden “ and you should see a few Incrediball plants listed there if they are still in stock . You will loveee this plant . 🌸🌸☺️

Thank you for checking in from NY👋🌎👏🌸

AmaZon.com/shop/KELLYLEHMAN

Here is the link AmaZon.com/shop/KELLYLEHMAN

Hi Neil, the comment below this one is from a Flower Tribe member who is also from Ontario Canada ( In Campbellford ) small world 😀. Your question is fabulous and i am going to make a video inspired by your comment . I will identify as many of my hydrangeas as i can on my farm and show what they look in spring as the leaves start to show and then ill show what they look like in summer with their blooms in tact . I'm sure this video will be very helpful for lots of flower tribe members ! Yay you !!. I hope to have. it up in the next three weeks .

Hi Connie , thank you for checking in from Oklahoma City , Oklahoma 🌎👏🤗

Me too!!!!

So happy you found our Flower Tribe 👋👏🌎 I find that Annabelles do best with morning sun and afternoon shade . My Annabelles that are planted in full sun burn up late in the season . The ones I have planted in afternoon shade turn that gorgeous green and dry out beautifully . Happy gardening 🌸👍

Hey Becky, super hydrangea question . I usually pluck or cut out the brown petals with a small scissor . You can use a floral spray paint on the fresh cut blooms to help the color . I have some listed on my amazon shop page

Here is the link for the flower spray paint ➡️ www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1CZ14X?ref=exp_kellylehman_dp_vv_mw

@@KellyLehman this is great. Thank you so much! Love to you!

Sure thing❤️❤️

Hi🤝👈

Super question . I’m curious about what happens to them by you in January and Feb. Do the blooms fade and dry out ? If so, I would just give it a good deadheading by cutting the old blooms out by following the stems down a few sets of leaves and cutting just above a fresh set set of leaves and leaving the bulk of the plant in place so it can form new flowers . I have never tried this with flowers from you region though . I would ask a flower specialist at your local garden center for the best practices for this plant . 🤗🤗🌸

Most of mine are in full sun and they are just beautiful ... did you plant anything else with them?

@@sue8064, I planted Rose of Sharon to the West and hydrangea to the east. They are all still really little so not sure if it's a success. I am surprised to see the stems from last year seem completely dead. New growth is from the ground on the Hydrangeas. The rose of Sharon are just now leafing out. Hopefully this year everything will establish really well. By the way, thanks for the info. I won't hesitate to dot them in without worry of too much Sun.

@@yLeprechaun sounds gorgeous - hope it works out! Lol, hydrangea stems are such tricksters sometimes, toying with my occasional "OCD" - I've learned to wait until leaves are well on their way before I try cleaning up the dead stems :)

@@sue8064 yeah! I left mine on the hydrangeas that were here when we bought because they only had one bloom each last year. After watching Kelly's video I was convinced they were an old wood blooming variety. But as the Spring progresses and the new growth emerges, I'm not so sure.

Great hydrangea question . Early spring is a great time to make the move into the ground . Make sure you water them in well amd add some organic compost to the soil . Good luck with your hydrangea move 🌸🤗

Thank you for checking in from Toronto Canada 🌸🤗💃🌻🌎

Wow! Love your flower tip! Thank you for sharing this tip Laura . You've inspired me to make a video sharing Flower Tribe members' garden tips . Well done . Happy gardening ! 🌸😊Kelly

Thanks🌸😊

Either way is fine . The new hydrangea blooms will come in regardless of whether you prune the old hydrangea blooms back or not . I’ve had years where I just couldn’t get to deadheading the dried hydrangeas off the plant and the new blooms just took over 🌸🤗

You can leave the flowers on until spring. In Washington DC I cut them all the way down just as she described. Once the daffodis bloom and the Forsythia bloom, I cut down the Annabelle to about 18"

Hi Shane , here is some information I found to help you prevent next year’s Infestation. It’s important to understand that the moth lays her eggs on hydrangea stems in the late fall, usually only one per stem. The eggs overwinter there, then, in early spring, as the shrub buds out, the young caterpillars crawl up the stem and invade its upper leaves. And that gives you a way out. Early in the spring, cut your smooth hydrangeas (remember this insect attacks only that species: more on that below) back as close to the ground as you can. Since this species flowers on new wood, this will not affect its blooming. But if you pick up and compost the cut stems, you’ll have eliminated the leaf-tier’s eggs, thus preventing the infestation. source ➡️ laidbackgardener.blog/tag/hydrangea-leaf-tier/ Hope you found this helpful

Hey there Ines, one possibility is that the climate is just too hot . Have you tried growing different varieties of hydrangeas to test if one does better in your neck of the woods? i would ask someone in your local nursery if there is a variety of hydrangea they could recommend that would thrive by you. Good luck flower friend .🙂🌻

Great hydrangea question . Hydrangeas need well drained soil so you can amend the clay soil by adding homegrown compost, bagged compost or composted manure .🌸🤗

Wonderful! I love Annabelle hydrangea , Limelight Hydrangea and Endless Summer hydrangea the best .

Thank you for checking in from Northeast Alabama 🌸😊👍🌍

Thank you for checking in from Denmark 🌸🌎🤗👏

You can try growing them in large pots but I would be nervous about depending on these for your wedding . I would have a backup plan for your wedding flowers just in case they don’t bloom on time . 🌸🌸

You keep repeating yourself and why bother carrying those siccatures. Whatever !

Thank you for checking in from Toronto Ontario 🌸🤗👍👋🌎

Hi There Sophia , so happy you unlocked the mystery to getting those large giant Annabelle flower heads . Most gardening sites I’ve been on recommend waiting until late winter or early spring but I know Michigan is ahead of most of the country with the cold weather game . I think it’s ok to prune them back now since chances are temps won’t be warming up again to trigger a growth spurt . Wishing you soccer ball sized hydrangea flowers this spring 💃💃💃😊😊

Thank you for checking in from Michigan 🌸🤗🌎👋👏

Hello again :-) so, with a twist of fate, I ended up not pruning my hydrangeas, because the weather did end up going up and down again! So currently, they are still not pruned. Now, this week we have weather that will be in the upper 40s, we had one or two days last week that was in the upper 40s. Would this be a good time to prune them?

Hi Mark, the best time to prune back Little Lime is late winter or early spring. The blooms grow on new wood so you should have a burst of new blooms next summer even if you prune them back in late winter. Happy Growing . By the way... I sent you an email with this info but think my email may have been wonky and it was never delivered . Sorry for the delay in hydrangea advice . 🙂🌺

Hey Mark, in reply to your question about how much to prune... the research I saw online said little pruning is needed for these hydrangeas but if you do choose to prune, you can prune them back a bit to keep the shape you like ( they are already compact so they shouldn't get too large) . Since they grow on new wood , i would leave at least 18 inches of the plant in tact when pruning is done in late winter /early spring.