Hydrangea Annabelle and Strong Annabelle

I visited a lovely garden last week which is owned by a garden designer who evidently does work for some of The Royals no less! His garden isn't a huge affair (on purpose a manageable size so it doesn't become a millstone!) but it had a lovely calm and relaxing feel to it. He had growing (not flowering yet)in various spots Hydrangea Annabelle which he recommended especially for up here in Scotland as it is much hardier and less tricky than the Lace Caps which I have a few of and they do suffer with hard frosts a la what we had this May.
I've had a look on the net for suppliers and evidently there is Annabelle and Strong Annabelle which has bigger flowers. Doe anybody grow either? as I was wondering which to buy. Maybe the bigger flowers might be a bit much and be affected if it rains?

 

I took a fancy to one recently when I saw it on some tv programme - such beautiful big blooms

I don't know where I'd put it though (not that that usually stops me but I'm trying to get rid of some of my shrubs, not plant more). I might find space for one in the front garden somewhere though.

Edit : now look what you've done! I've just ordered one from Crocus They've got 20% off Hydrangeas at the moment and I found a voucher code for an extra 15% off Now where to put the ruddy thing

PS : I bought Strong Annabelle as the stems are supposedly stronger so won't bend under the weight of the blooms.

 

Sure you'll find the room @merleworld. I wish I had a £ for every time I've said to myself that I couldn't possibly fit in another plant and then promptly bought 3 of something.

 

I bought two of these last year

http://www.yougarden.com/item-p-510146/tree-hydrangea-pink-annabelle-plant

They have out on a lot of growth so far this year but have yet to flower so cant comment yet so how well they do with rainfall

 

WELLLLLLL @merleworld you are completely to blame for me having now ordered ditto Hydrangea AND because you found the discount voucher thingy my finger just to happened to tap on a few other items. I would have ordered some Iris Sibirica Silver Edge but they were out of stock of those. Hopeless, and here was me telling myself I'd been quite good not buying too many plants this season. Thank you very much for the heads up re the voucher it saved me a few bob.......well saved isn't perhaps the right word, it made me spend more but hey it's our hobby! Here's hoping the Hydrangea is a good new addition to both our gardens. I, certainly, am always trying to find suitable plants that flower later in the season.

 

@silu both as bad as each other

 

Thanks very much Shiney, photos would be great and like the information re cuttings. Having a big garden I always try to increase my stock of a new plant as don't particularly like having to buy lots of the same plant unless unavoidable through plant being very difficult to propagate without fancy equipment. The fact it can be pruned much more than other Hydrangeas is good for this climate as many of my other Hydrangeas do get damaged during the winter and consequently their flowering is affected.

 

@Dips You also have to shoulder some blame I'm afraid as I've just emailed Crocus and asked them to add the pink Invincibelle to my order

 

Look @merleworld would you please keep quiet about adding extras to your order. My order is already heading towards the 3 figure mark and I don't need any ideas/encouragement planted in my pea brain to add further to it.

 

Lol sowwi lol

 

They're stunning

 

Gorgeous Shiney. Apart from giving it a good haircut in the Spring, do you feed it or do anything special with it? or is it them? I have ad lib manure so could feed it with that, if beneficial. How old is your plant/s? Hoping mine will eventually look even half as good as yours but then if it's about 15 yo I'll probably be under the sod by then.