Images Depict Mature Plants
Incrediball® Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Abetwo' PP20571
Incrediball® is one of those “plant it once and smile every summer” shrubs—huge white bloom balls, stronger stems that hold up better in rain, and the best part is it blooms on new wood, so you can prune in late winter and still get a full flower show the same year. I love it massed for that bright, billowy look, or lined up as a flowering hedge that turns a plain edge into a seasonal highlight.
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Incrediball® Hydrangea With Giant White Blooms And Strong Stems
Giant Bloom Balls That Light Up Summer Landscapes
Incrediball® Hydrangea is famous for its oversized, round flower heads that can reach impressive, “basketball-like” size. Blooms often open with a fresh green tint, mature to bright white, then age back toward soft green as the season winds down—so the plant keeps a clean, elegant look for a long stretch. That color progression makes it a standout in mixed borders and foundation beds, where you want a crisp, high-contrast bloom against deep green foliage.
If you love cutting flowers, this hydrangea is a dream. The blooms are excellent for fresh arrangements, and they dry beautifully for long-lasting indoor stems. Planted in groups, it creates a summer “cloud” effect that reads lush and intentional from across the yard, while still looking refined up close.
Strong, Upright Stems That Resist Flopping In Rain
One of the biggest upgrades with Incrediball® is stem strength. Those enormous blooms are supported by sturdier, more upright stems that help the shrub hold its shape through summer rain and heavy flower weight. That means you get the full impact of big white blooms without the constant cleanup or staking many gardeners associate with older smooth hydrangea types.
The habit is naturally mounded and full, creating a substantial shrub that looks great even before peak bloom. Use it as a bold accent, a repeating border plant, or a flowering screen at the edge of a patio. When you want “big bloom drama” with a tidy, upright presentation, this is the smooth hydrangea that delivers.
Reliable New-Wood Flowering For Easy, Confident Care
Incrediball® blooms on new wood, which makes it wonderfully dependable—especially in colder climates where old-wood hydrangeas can lose buds to winter. Because flowers form on the current season’s growth, you can prune in late winter to early spring and still get a strong bloom show the same year. That single trait removes most of the guesswork and makes Incrediball® a great choice for newer gardeners or anyone who wants low-stress flowering shrubs.
It performs best with consistent moisture and well-drained soil, and it appreciates sun for maximum bloom size and stem strength. In hotter regions, a little afternoon shade can help keep foliage fresher. The result is a hydrangea that feels forgiving, vigorous, and consistently showy.
A Landscape Workhorse For Hedges, Borders, And Big Color Blocks
With a mature size typically in the 4–5 foot range, Incrediball® is big enough to anchor a bed and create structure, yet still easy to design with. Mass it for a dramatic seasonal statement, line it along a fence as a flowering hedge, or tuck it into a mixed shrub border where it can punctuate summer with bright white blooms. It pairs beautifully with evergreens, dark foliage shrubs, and colorful perennials that enjoy similar moisture.
Maintenance stays simple: a spring feed, steady watering in dry spells, and one pruning window before growth starts. If you want a hydrangea that looks “high effort” but behaves “low effort,” Incrediball® is a reliable, repeatable choice.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 4 to 5 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 4 to 5 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time / Color | Early summer through late summer; green to white to green |
| Pruning Season: | Prune in late winter, flowers on new wood |
| Soil Condition: | Moist, well-drained, organic-rich preferred |
| Water Requirements: | Average to moderate; consistent moisture for best blooms |
| Wildlife Value | Adds seasonal garden interest and structure; best paired with pollinator plants nearby |
| Resistance (deer/disease/drought/etc.) | Not deer resistant; stronger stems reduce flop; more resilient once established |
| Landscape Uses | Hedges, mass planting, borders, foundations, cut and dried flowers, backdrop shrub |
How to Care for Incrediball® Hydrangea
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Incrediball® Hydrangea for years to come!
How should I plant Incrediball® Hydrangea?
Choose a site with full sun to part shade and well-drained soil that stays evenly moist. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, then backfill with native soil (add compost if your soil is poor). Water deeply to settle the roots and eliminate air pockets. Finish with a 2–3 inch mulch ring to conserve moisture and keep roots cooler in summer, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stems. If planting a row, space plants with mature width in mind so they can fill in without crowding and maintain airflow for cleaner growth.
How often should I water Incrediball® Hydrangea after planting?
For the first 2–3 weeks, water every 2–3 days to keep the root zone evenly moist (not soggy), especially during warm or windy weather. After that, transition to deep watering about once per week, adjusting for rainfall and heat. Check the top couple of inches of soil—if it feels dry, water thoroughly at the base. Once established, Incrediball® is more resilient, but it still performs best with consistent moisture during summer growth and bloom. During hot, dry spells, a deep soak once or twice a week helps keep blooms full, foliage fresh, and stems strong.
When should I fertilize Incrediball® Hydrangea?
Fertilize in early spring, as new growth begins, with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. This supports sturdy new stems, healthy foliage, and abundant flowering without pushing overly soft growth. A yearly compost top-dress and refreshed mulch layer also help build better soil structure and moisture-holding capacity. Avoid heavy feeding late in summer, which can encourage tender growth at the wrong time. If your soil is lean and growth is slow, a light second feeding in early summer is fine—keep it modest and always water well after applying fertilizer.
When and how should I prune Incrediball® Hydrangea?
Prune in late winter to early spring, before new growth starts. Because Incrediball® blooms on new wood, this timing encourages vigorous shoots and plenty of flowers in the same season. Remove dead or damaged wood, thin weak stems, and shorten remaining stems to shape the shrub and support strong flowering. If you want the largest blooms, a harder prune (leaving a shorter framework) can promote fewer, thicker stems with big flower heads. If you want more blooms that are slightly smaller, prune a bit lighter so the plant keeps more stems—either way, pruning before growth begins is the key.
