Hydrangea arborescens or the Mountain Hydrangea grows wild in much of the southeast and mid-atlantic. The native hydrangea graces shaded woodlands from Georgia to New York. The plant has long been a favorite of gardeners.

The straight species Mountain Hydrangea is a dainty plant with unimpressive flowers. The actual flowers are tiny and they are surrounded by a few white bracts which serve to attract pollinators.

Newer cultivars have selected for many more bracts. Cultivars such as 'Annabelle' have been super popular for decades. More recently Dr. Tom Ranney at the NC State Mountain Horticulture Research and Education Center in Mills River has developed the 'Invincibelle' series of Mountain Hydrangea. 'Invincibelle' has huge flower heads and is a consistent pink. The 'Invincibelle' series has flowers that are not affected by soil pH at all. In other words, the flowers will always be pink regardless of the soil pH.