Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Country Or Region Of Origin
US Cultivar
Plant Profile: Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280
Names
Hortensia, Incrediball™ Blush Mountain Hydrangea, Sevenbark, Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea
Phonetic Spelling:hy-DRAN-jee-uh ar-bor-RES-senz
Genus:Hydrangea
Species:arborescens
Family:Hydrangeaceae
Hydrangea, Incrediball™ Blush features impressive large flower clusters that transition from a soft blush pink to a rich deep pink, eventually maturing into a lovely chartreuse green by fall. This variety is excellent for cutting due to its sturdy stems and dark foliage. The flower heads achieve their full size approximately three years after planting. Known for its reliability and cold hardiness, this plant blooms on new growth, so pruning in late winter will promote robust new stem development and an attractive shape.
In cooler regions, Incrediball™ Blush thrives in full sun, which helps produce strong stems and the largest, most vibrant blooms. Conversely, in warmer areas, it benefits from afternoon shade and can only tolerate full sun if it receives consistent moisture.
The Incrediball™ series was created through a partnership between Dr. Thomas G. Ranney from NC State University and Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, MI.
Please note: Propagating patented plant material is illegal.
For more details on Hydrangea arborescens, please refer to additional resources.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Feature Summary
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Image Gallery
Tags
#hardy
#showy flowers
#deciduous
#poisonous
#fall flowers
#wildlife plant
#pink flowers
#showy
#honey bees
#nectar plant
#salt tolerant
#low maintenance
#erosion control
#low flammability
#long-lasting flowers
#neutral ph
#deer resistant
#mci
#acidic soil tolerant
#pollinator plant
#wet soils tolerant
#rocky soils tolerant
#clay soils tolerant
#bird friendly
#ppaf
#butterfly friendly
#songbirds
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#bee friendly
#problem for horses
#ppw
#shallow soil tolerant
#rebloom
#uspp
Similar Plants
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Feature Summary
Attributes
US Cultivar
The hydrangea flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insects. Songbirds eat the seeds. It is the host plant of the hydrangea sphinx moth.
Perennial
Woody
Wildlife Food Source
Attracts Pollinators
Colorful
Attractive Flowers
Easy to Grow
Wildlife Larval Host
low flammability
Fruit
Dehiscent seed capsules ripen in October-November.
Capsule
Brown/Copper
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Flowers
Extra-large mounded blossoms are silvery pink with dark green foliage and sturdy stems with a long blooming season.
Pink
Gray/Silver
Head
Corymb
Good Cut
Showy
Long Bloom Season
Good Dried
Summer
Fall
4-5 petals/rays
Dome
< 1 inch
Leaves
This hydrangea has gray-brown stems are clad with opposite, simple, broad egg-shaped to rounded, sharply toothed, dark green leaves (2-6” long) with pale green undersides. The leaves turn yellow in fall. The lower leaf surface is smooth or with inconspicuous fine hairs.
Deciduous
Green
Gold/Yellow
Simple
Opposite
Ovate
Cordate
Obovate
Serrate
Dentate
3-6 inches
Smooth
1-3 inches
Bark
Brown and finely shredded, peels off in thin layers with different colors.
Light Gray
Light Brown
Shredding
Peeling
Stem
Strong sturdy stems hold up large blooms easily.
Green
Poisonous to Humans
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and sweating. Cyanide intoxication is rare - usually produces more of a gastrointestinal disturbance.
Hydrangin, a cyanogenic glycoside
Leaves
Stems
Flowers
Bark
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Poisonous
Deciduous
Multi-stemmed
Rounded
Mounding
Medium
Low
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Occasionally Wet
3 feet-6 feet
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
3a
3b
Clay
High Organic Matter
Shallow Rocky
Landscape
Cutting Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Cottage Garden
Shade Garden
Border
Mass Planting
Accent
Small groups
Specimen
Wet Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Dry Soil
Erosion
Black Walnut
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Bees
Moths
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Image Gallery
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Attributes
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Wildlife Value
The hydrangea flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insects. Songbirds eat the seeds. It is the host plant of the hydrangea sphinx moth.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Fire Risk Rating
extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Fruit
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Fruit Description
Dehiscent seed capsules ripen in October-November.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Fruit Color
Brown/Copper
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Flowers
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Description
Extra-large mounded blossoms are silvery pink with dark green foliage and sturdy stems with a long blooming season.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Color
Gray/Silver
Pink
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Leaves
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Description
This hydrangea has gray-brown stems are clad with opposite, simple, broad egg-shaped to rounded, sharply toothed, dark green leaves (2-6” long) with pale green undersides. The leaves turn yellow in fall. The lower leaf surface is smooth or with inconspicuous fine hairs.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Color
Green
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color
Gold/Yellow
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Feel
Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Bark
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Bark Description
Brown and finely shredded, peels off in thin layers with different colors.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Bark Color
Light Brown
Light Gray
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Surface/Attachment
Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Stem
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Stem Description
Strong sturdy stems hold up large blooms easily.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Stem Color
Green
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Poisonous to Humans
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Poison Symptoms
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and sweating. Cyanide intoxication is rare - usually produces more of a gastrointestinal disturbance.
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Poison Toxic Principle
Hydrangin, a cyanogenic glycoside
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Whole Plant Traits
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Cultural Conditions
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280 Landscape
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' PP 28,280: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
