8 Kinds of Pink Smooth Hydrangea Fit for your garden

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1. Invincibelle Spirit II

Invincibelle Spirit II smooth hydrangea (hydrangea arborescens NCHA2) is popular in the United States and Japan. It is an upgraded version of Invincibelle Spirit I. It is one of the masterpieces of North Carolina State University's Dr. Thomas Ranney.

Its flower head shape is mophead, and the flower head diameter can grow to 7 inches. The flower color is brighter pink, and the color is slightly darker than that of Invincibelle Spirit I. The blooming period is from late June to early July. It produces large blooms and can bloom again.

Invincibelle Spirit II can grow to 6 feet high and 8 feet wide. The stem is more robust than Invincibelle Spirit I, and the leaves are dark green. If you prune this plant in early spring, you can cut off the plant to 4 feet in height and 7 feet in width.

In USDA zone 7-9, Invincibelle Spirit II may have lodging. Many think too large flower heads cause this, but it is not. The real reason is that the higher temperatures at night cause plants' respiration to break down the carbohydrates plants store. Plants get enough carbohydrates through photosynthesis to grow strong stems.

2. Bella Anna

Bella Anna and Invincibelle Spirit II have a similar pedigree. Its dark pink petals are denser and more saturated in color than the Invincibelle Spirit II. Its flower head shape is mophead, and its diameter can reach 4-5 inches. Its blooming period is from the early July to the mid-July.

The mature Bella Anna can grow up to 4 feet tall and 5.5 feet wide. But in summer, its stems may lodged. If you have planted this plant, you must pay more attention to leaf diseases. Compared with other varieties, leaf diseases of this plant are more common.

The picture of Bella Anna is from Mt. Cuba Center.

3. Invincibelle Ruby

Invincibelle Ruby is the first smooth hydrangea with red flowers. The shape of its flower head is a mophead, and the diameter of the flower head is 5 inches. Its flowers are ruby red, and the center of the flower cluster is light pink to white.

Its blooming period is from the end of June to early July. It can bloom again within 7-8 weeks after pruning. Among the pink 'Annabelle' hydrangea types, Invincibelle Ruby has the most potent ability to rebloom on new wood.

Invincibelle Ruby growth is the most exuberant under full sun. Its dark green foliage and strong stems can support large flower heads. This small shrub usually grows to 3 feet in height and width, making it ideal for smaller gardens.

The picture of Invincibelle Ruby is from Mt. Cuba Center.

4. Invincibelle Mini Mauvette

Invincibelle Mini Mauvette and Annabelle are the same type of hydrangea. Although its flower head is a mophead, its flowers are not white but deep pink/purplish red. Its blooming period is from summer to fall. Even in cold zones, it can bloom and rebloom.

It can grow up to 3 feet both in height and width. Its leaves are dark green, and its stem is more robust than Invincibelle Spirit I, II, and Invincibelle Ruby.

The picture of Invincibelle Mini Mauvette is from Proven Winners Direct.

5. Invincibelle Garnetta

The flower head shape of Invincibelle Garnetta is a mophead. Its flowers are burgundy when blooming, gradually turn garnet-red, and finally appear pink. Its blooming period is from summer to fall but is a little later than Ruby's and can rebloom on new wood. Even in cold areas, it blooms every year.

It is a dwarf hydrangea with a height and width of only 2.5 feet. Its leaves are dark green, and its stems are very stout. We don't have to worry about the risk of lodging.

6. Incrediball Blush

Invincibelle Blush is another masterpiece of North Carolina State University's Dr. Thomas Ranney. Its flower head type is mophead, and its diameter can reach 6 inches. Its blooming period is from the end of June to the middle of July, and the beginning of July is when it blooms most. Its flowers will gradually change from fuchsia to light pink, but the back side of the flowers remains fuchsia.

Invincibelle Blush can grow to 4 feet high and 5 feet wide. With full sun, its stems can grow stout. Although it can rebloom and pruning can make its flowers bloom larger, please don't over-prune it. Over-pruning will cause the stem to become weak and make it easy to show up lodging or breaking.

The picture of Invincibelle Blush is from Mt. Cuba Center.

7. Magical Pinkerbell

Summer is the blooming period of Magical Pinkerbell. Large clusters of mophead flowers bloom on its stout stems. Its flower color is light yellowish green at the beginning and then turns pink flowers. As the flowers mature, the color of the flowers will change from pink to dark pink.

This compact hydrangea plant has a total height of 5 feet. Its green leaves show ovate and have serrated edges. Magical Pinkerbell can stand cold weather. Even if all the stems are dead, as long as the roots are alive, this plant can still sprout and bloom near the ground in the following year.

The picture of Magical Pinkerbell is from the Tree Center Plant Supply Co.

8. Invincibelle Lace

Invincibelle Lace has plum-purple lacecap flower clusters, green leaves, and ruby-hued stems. This is its most evident and unique feature. But its flowers and stems are delicate.

Its height and width can reach 4-5 feet. It blooms in summer and attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

The picture of Invincibelle Lace is from American Plant.

Bibliography:
NC State Plant Breeder Wins Prestigious Scott Medal
Tom Ranney and his colleagues in Mills River have developed more than 50 ornamental cultivars – trees, shrubs and flowers that have been a boon for gardeners and for North Carolina’s green industry.
https://cals.ncsu.edu/news/nc-state-plant-breeder-wins-prestigious-scott-medal/
Mt. Cuba Center | Delaware Botanical Garden, Native Plants
Mt. Cuba Center is a beautiful botanical garden in Delaware. Tour our native plant gardens, take a class, and help us protect habitats.
https://mtcubacenter.org/

My name is Arthur Mo. I am a gardener who loves gardening so much. I graduated from Ocean University of China. After I returned to Japan, I began to learn how to cultivate hydrangeas and daisies. Mr. Mitsuhiro (my master) taught me to sow, cut, fertilize, and manage diseases and pests. For nine years, I have been sharpening my planting skills. In 2022, my family and I moved to Florida. The warm climate of Florida gives me the impulse to continue cultivating hydrangeas and daisies. I began my gardening trip in my backyard and unswervingly contributed my efforts to these plants. I love these plants deeply, and at the same time, I also thank my family, my master, and friends for their understanding and support.