That setup should work fine. After 5 years they might encroach on the perennials in front of them - if not with sucker shoots it would be rain-induced flop. And within maybe 20 years the shoots would reach the (Sunny Knockout?) roses. In that event you'd be digging up the shoots and giving them away, making more plants, or discarding them. Each spring, shoots can randomly go out two feet from the main crown.

Also, keeping the old wood trimmed in early Spring to the height the plants currently are now, will aid in them reaching the height of the top of the railing in just a few years!

You do know that Annabelle suckers, don't you? In 10 years or so my Annabelles have spread to a 10'x10' space, and might have spread larger if a huge rhododendron didn't restrict them in one direction and the side walk, drive, and house in another. I'd take one of those out and be planning to chop off with a shovel or pull suckers that go in directions that you don't want.

thanks for great advice. should i place these elsewhere and do limelights instead? i just love the classy look of an annabelle.

I have a bobo in that bed too and it LOVES the conditions. But it wouldn't be tall enough. Maybe I should scrap the hydrangea idea (gasp) and do clematis or something instead!? Oh I have no idea what I'm doing. :) but it sure is fun.

"Oh I have no idea what I'm doing. :) but it sure is fun." ;>)

I think that if you are willing to do annual clipping and pulling of suckers you will be fine with three 'Annabelles' in there. Or if you don't want to do that much work, then put them somewhere that they can spread or be controlled via mowing to hold the suckers at bay and use a different plant there. You should be able to find some H. paniculatas in the right size range 'Little Lime' or 'Little Lamb' or 'Little Quickfire' will be more of the size range of 'Annabelle' (4' high) than Limelight which can get quite large. If you like the bloom shape of Annabelle, check out the 'Little Quickfire' as having the most similar shape, but with pink fall color and stiffer stems.

I'm terribly fond of Annabelles also. I say stay with them, but definitely limit them to three bushes--or even just two bushes. I promise you that in a year or two, those two bushes will fill up that space. On the other hand, it is not that difficult every spring to yank out some suckers that are extending the plant beyond the space you want to fill. And once you have done that, then just sit back and enjoy your hydrangeas until the following spring when you may need to yank out a few more suckers. It really isn't hard to keep up with, and Annabelles look nice all summer long, starting in June (here in my region, anyway), whereas the paniculatas you mentioned don't start blooming until July (at least in my region--the paniculatas I've grown anyway).

Actually I tend to think of Annabelles flourishing the first half of the summer, and the paniculatas flourishing the second half of the summer--so I plant both. But Annabelle will hang on to her somewhat late greenish blooms during much of the entire summer--they just won't be glistening white blooms later in the summer.

Kate

THank you! When should I move them from four to three?

Since they are recently planted, do it on the next cloudy day as they won't have had time to really start growing yet. Have the new hole (for wherever you will put the extra) dug already so it doesn't have to sit out with roots exposed. Keep the both that ne and the one you shift slightly to be centered well watered if leaves look limp. If you do it late afternoon, they will have all night to settle in, and IME that helps.

Oh, I wouldn't move them.... you will be so pleased the next few years from the look of these wonderful hydrangeas. In your zone, their bloom time is more perfect for you than the limelight (one of my favorites, but I am in zone 7). It isn't that difficult to remove the suckers and keep the plants in control. The only reason I would move them is if you wanted them to look like they look now as individual plants, very separate and with lots of room between them. If you don't mind the hedge look effect, then they will be perfect there. I personally love that filled in full effect. Good luck!

My opinion is that your bed looks wonderful and will continue to look wonderful with a little annual maintenance on your part. I think the Annabelles are a beautiful choice.

Just as a general recommendation, one could even stagger some colors in the hedge. The new Incrediball Blush might be best (once anyone can find it), but here's my Annabelle-Bella Anna-Annabelle setup.

I've also just added an Invincibelle and Incrediball to the west of that, but they're not visible yet.

I want an incrediball blush really bad!

I guess we'll have to wait! No one seems to be growing them yet.

I am sure this is a basic question but what do ya'll mean when you say trip the suckers? Can you tell I am new at this? :) You mean the plants that are not growing on the main shoot?

Send blessings, yes, the shoots that grow up from the roots. If you want your shrub to widen, they are not a problem with hydrangea, and they will flower.

Some choose to remove them for appearance purposes or to maintain the size of the shrub.

Our backyard was landscaped and they planted 3 Annabelles -- I can't say exactly how far apart but I can say much farther apart than that. They, of course, are tiny now since they went in three days ago!

Also, I am new to gardening but I have always heard plants in groups of three -- and that is exactly what my landscaper did!