Very exciting news, duncanmsu. Some of the highlights:

* Soil pH does not influence the flower color. This plant will a-l-w-a-y-s have pink flowers regardless of the soil Ph type.

* The blooms start a dark hot pink and age to a clear pink.

* The name is Invincibelle ÂSpiritÂ

* continuous blooming... starts in late May or June and produces new flowers right up until frost.

* available at retail under the Proven Winners ColorChoice brand in spring of 2010.

* small contribution made to the fight against breast cancer (to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

* USDA Zones 3-9 (perennial in zone 3)

* In the South, it should be planted in partial shade.

* Deciduous

* Breeder: Dr. Thomas Ranney, NCSU.

* other plants of interest in the blog: Double Play Artist Spirea and Double Play Gold Spirea

Thanks again, duncanmsu. I guess I should statrt to plant more shade producing trees now to be ready,just in time, for Spring 2010, hu? Hee hee hee! Luis

Here's the pix....

Hope it's as good as 'Annabelle'
Have it on my list!
Rb

Have it on my list as well. Hopefully next week it will be in my garden!!

Luis thanks for all the details!!! Does it say any where, if the stems might be heftier than Annabelle's

Wow! ... and a portion of sale will support a good cause as well ... good deal!!! Â;)

I want one too! :-) Where can I buy one or two?

I bought mine from Gardenimport. They are located in Ontario.

Well my Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea arrived today in the mail. I am so excited that I got one.

Dang, emailed the grower for any news,

Enjoy!

As is normal with some introductions, this variant may be difficult to find and expensive at first. I too did not find it locally and have not seen it advertised in mail order websites. Perhaps they are sticking to the official introduction date of Spring 2010. Check Spring Meadows Website regularly and ask local nurseries with "PW, Proven Winner" in the plastic pots. That suggests that the nursery dows business with Spring Meadows Nursery. In that case, inquire about special ordering Invincibelle for Spring 2010. This is the only place in their website that talked about ways to find local dealers; note the website name changed when I clicked into that link (not sure what's that all about):

http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/sources.htm

Click on 'retailers by state' or 'Mail Order or Web Source'.

I just got an email notice that another pink cultivar is due in spring 2011 from Bailey. It's called Bella Anna.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bella Anna Hyd. info page