Hello, I think my hydrangea is an Annabelle based on reading about them on the internet, BUT there is new growth on what looks like old wood. Actually some of the wood looks dead. I started cutting out what I thought was dead but then realized that the stem was green under the the thin, bark covering. About the plant: The leaves are NOT shaped like oaks. When in bloom, the flowers are round, first green then white, if I remember correctly. Here are photos I took today. If they are not clear enough I can take more. I don't generally prune it other than trying to clean it up a bit this time of the year. It is growing among ferns and who knows what else. Many of the branches are lying on the ground. Perhaps the kids were running around in there when snow was still on the ground or maybe it's just from the snow. Thanks for your help! I have a few pictures of it that I took today that I am trying to attach.
Here's a picture and basic info. Habitat: Under trees in a shady area with ferns, ground usually covered with leaves, soil is moist. Size: 4 ft tall ?? Leaves: Serrated and large (See photo). The texture of the leaf in spring, when new, looks like it has tiny fuzzy hairs on the edges but feels smooth not fuzzy. Bloom color: Greenish at first then white. Stem/branch: In spring the stem has a light, tan, dead-wood color, peeling bark layered over a green and light brown stem/branch.
'Annabelle' is an all-sterile flowerhead cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens. Although, it's a bit hard to tell at that size, I don't see many, if any, fertile flowers in your photo. It looks to me like it is simply 'Annabelle' but growing the way it would in too much shade - rather drawn and droopy with somewhat open flowerheads. The plant does need a little shade to stop the flower browning off too quickly, but not all-day shade. It should look like this ( http://www.botanicalstockphotos.com/img16658.htm ). The peeling bark is natural for Hydrangea arborescens and why one of its common names is sevenbark.
Thanks for your help! I was confused about the identity because I thought that arborescens blooms on new wood, but the wood looks old to me. Is it too late to prune it?
I think you may have it the wrong way round. My understanding is that 'Annabelle' blooms on the new wood. In which case you could probably still prune it but it may delay the flowering. However, I'm in the Southern Hemisphere and I really don't know what stage of growth your plants have reached.
