Harvesting Hydrangea 'Annabelle' Seeds vs. Cuttings: What You Need to Know

Ginger wants to collect seeds from her Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' near Chicago. First, a critical caveat: 'Annabelle' is a hybrid. Seeds won't produce true-to-type plants—offspring will vary. For identical clones, cuttings are the only reliable method.

If You Still Want Seeds

1. Let flower heads fade and darken completely on the shrub.
2. Cut spent blooms just below the swollen seed pods.
3. Dry pods 5+ days in a paper bag.
4. Gently remove papery coverings to reveal tiny seeds.
5. Store in a cool, dry place until spring sowing.

Better: Propagate by Cuttings (Early Summer)

1. Take 6-inch tender shoots, remove lower leaves.
2. Dip in rooting hormone (available at garden centers).
3. Plant 1 inch deep in moist potting mix.
4. Cover pot with clear plastic; place in indirect light (east window or under fluorescents).
5. Check for roots in 2 weeks (gentle tug test).
6. Once rooted, remove plastic, keep moist, and grow on.

Cuttings give you exact 'Annabelle' replicas—massive white snowball blooms on a compact, reliable shrub. Seeds are a lottery.