SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

COMMON NAME: snowhill hydrangea, hills-of-snow

FLOWERS: White corymb in May. Up to 3" across.

LEAVES: Opposite, finely serrate, and widest at the bottom with appressed venation. Leaf is very pubescent and petiole is long.

GROWTH HABIT: Grows 3' to 4' tall and wide as a low growing clumpy shrub with many canes. Spreads by runners and large clumps can be found in the wild though not nearly as common as oakleaf hydrangea.

OTHER: Hardy from zone 3 to 8. A native plant that was used by Indians to help control high blood pressure (it's roots are a diuretic). Prefers deep shade. Can be severely pruned each fall because it flowers on new wood. A member of the Saxifragaceae family. Will grow in ivy groundcover.