Two new, reliable pink hydrangeas for the Indiana garden

Bella Anna hydrangea. Photo courtesy Bailey Nurseries

Plant breeders are in the pink, especially with hydrangeas.

This year, two new pink hydrangeas will hit garden centers and mail-order retailers. Bella Anna (H. arborescens) and Vanilla Strawberry (H. paniculata) follow Invincibelle Spirit, which was introduced last year by Proven Winners/ColorChoice as the first pink ‘Annabelle.’

Like Invincibelle Spirit, Bella Anna is bred from a native species that is a reliable bloomer in the Indiana garden.

Bella Anna gets 3 feet tall and wide, and because it blooms on current season growth, it can be pruned anytime. It is hardy throughout Indiana.

Sturdy, dark red stems support Bella Anna’s dark pink flowers. This plant will do well in full- to part sun with average soil. Bella Anna was developed by woody-plant guru Michael Dirr. Bella Anna is part of Bailey Nurseries’ Endless Summer Collection of hydrangeas.

Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea. Photo courtesy Bailey Nurseries

Vanilla Strawberry comes from Bailey’s First Edition Collection. Its large, dense panicle flowers open vanilla and quickly change to pink then deep strawberry. The flowers retain their pink to strawberry color well into fall. The stems are deep purple, which adds even more interest to the plant, especially in winter with the dried seed heads.

Vanilla Strawberry gets up to 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It, too, blooms on current season growth, which means pruning can be done anytime. It prefers full sun, but will tolerate part shade, and is hardy throughout Indiana.

Bailey’s Vanilla Strawberry joins several pink panicle hydrangeas introduced by Proven Winners/ColorChoice, including Pinky Winky and Quick Fire.

Hydrangeas benefit from supplemental watering if there’s no rain, especially when they are blooming. Hydrangeas can be cut for a bouquet or the flowers can be dried for everlasting arrangements.