Is It A Snowball Hydrangea Or A Snowball Bush?

Want to really make a statement in your yard? Plant a Chinese snowball viburnum, or, wait, is it a snowball hydrangea? You know, the one with big white blooms, vibrant green leaves, and curb appeal to spare? Head to any garden center in the South and you might find yourself doing a similar jig as the garden pro tries to nail down exactly which stunner you're after.

The 'Annabelle' hydrangea (sometimes referred to as a snowball hydrangea) and the Chinese snowball viburnum (also known as the Chinese snowball bush) both check all the boxes, but they do have a number of factors that will differentiate one from the other. We broke down all the facts on these two beloved Southern plants for the ultimate garden showdown. Read on to learn the differences between the snowball hydrangea and Chinese snowball viburnum.

What Is A Snowball Hydrangea?

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
• Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Also called 'Annabelle' hydrangea, this is a variety of smooth hydrangea, a species that grows wild in the eastern U.S. It will reach 4 feet in both height and width, with huge, white flowering clusters that have been known to hit an expansive 10 inches in diameter. Similar to the Chinese snowball viburnum, the flowers start off green and turn white as they mature. The snowball hydrangea bloom period is longer, with blooms appearing in spring and sometimes again in the fall.

Morning sun and afternoon shade are de rigueur when it comes to growing hydrangeas, and 'Annabelle' is no different. Though its blooms are pretty forgiving, it still manages to put on a spring show even after a harsh winter or severe pruning. It grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil in USDA Zones 3–9.

Prune in fall, winter, or early spring before green growth appears. While you can prune this plant to the ground, maintain a limb length of 18–24 inches in order to strengthen branches that could buckle under the weight of the enormous blooms.

What Is A Chinese Snowball Bush?

• Botanical Name: Viburnum macrocephalum
• Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, clay, loamy, sandy
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Also known as Chinese snowball viburnum, this stunner blooms in spring, starting out with lime-green flowers that change to white as they develop. Each flower cluster rings in around 6 to 8 inches in diameter, with the large-scale shrub or small tree reaching heights of 12 to 20 feet tall. Not surprisingly, you won't want to overdo it when planting. Just one or two viburnum bushes (depending on yard size) are all you'll need to make a statement. It grows in USDA Zones 6–9.

Chinese snowball bush will thrive in full sun to partial shade, though warmer climates might require additional shade in the afternoon. It prefers moist, well-drained soil. Prune just after flowering in order to shape and remove dead wood; otherwise, let it do its thing.

Which Plant To Choose

We love the forgiving blooms of 'Annabelle', especially for those of us who are known to get a little aggressive with the garden shears. As for the Chinese snowball, this stunner gets an A+ for its butterfly-attracting skills. They both make a stunning addition to the garden.