INCREDIBALL STORM PROOF™ Smooth Hydrangea

INCREDIBALL STORM PROOF Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'SMNHAGOV') solves the biggest complaint about large-flowered hydrangeas: flopping stems that collapse under the weight of massive blooms or buckle in summer thunderstorms. This improved smooth hydrangea features thicker, sturdier stems that keep those spectacular white flower heads standing tall from June through September, even after heavy rain.

Enormous Blooms That Actually Stand Up

The flower heads on this hydrangea reach an impressive 12 inches across, rivaling the original Incrediball but on a plant with significantly stronger stems. Each bloom starts lime green in bud, opens to pure white, then ages to a soft jade green in fall. The sheer size of these flowers creates dramatic impact in the garden, and because they stay upright on their stems, you get the full visual effect from across the yard rather than having to lift drooping branches to appreciate them.

Compact Size, Big Performance

Unlike some smooth hydrangeas that grow rangy and oversized, INCREDIBALL STORM PROOF maintains a tidy 4-5 ft height and width. This manageable size makes it ideal for foundation plantings where you need substantial presence without blocking windows, mixed borders where it provides midsummer structure, or even large containers on patios. The naturally rounded form requires minimal shaping to look polished.

Reliable in Cold Climates

Smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood, which means INCREDIBALL STORM PROOF flowers reliably even in zone 3 where harsh winters kill stems to the ground. Each spring, vigorous new stems emerge and produce flowers the same season. This dependability makes it a better choice than big-leaf hydrangeas in northern gardens where flower bud hardiness is unreliable. In warmer zones, the plant develops more substantial woody structure while maintaining its compact habit.

Easy Care for Beginning and Experienced Gardeners

This hydrangea forgives mistakes that would damage other flowering shrubs. Prune it hard in spring for bushier growth and larger blooms, or skip pruning entirely and it still performs. It tolerates part shade, handles clay soil with some amendment, and establishes quickly. Deer typically leave hydrangeas alone, and the long bloom season means months of garden interest with a single plant. The white flowers also make excellent fresh or dried arrangements, and the sturdy stems mean cut flowers last longer in the vase.