Grand Haven, MI – This spring, gardeners of all types will be endeared to the first ever pink ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea, appropriately called Invincibelle™ Spirit by Proven Winners® Color Choice® flowering shrubs. Not only is Invincibelle Spirit the Holy Grail of the long awaited first pink Hydrangea arborescens, but it is also dedicated to help raise money for breast cancer research.
The name says it all considering the breeders’ relentless efforts and the plant’s unique mission. Proven Winners is dedicated to raise at least $1 million for the Breast Cancer Research with one dollar to be donated to the foundation for each Invincibelle™ Spirit sold.
According to Tim Wood, product development and marketing manager at Spring Meadow Nursery, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) was a natural partnership choice for Invincibelle Spirit.
“We partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation because it is the most highly rated breast cancer organization in the United States,” Wood states. “Over 90 percent of the money raised by BCRF goes directly to research. It’s a far-reaching cause that’s meaningful to many of our customers.”
Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. It is estimated that in 2009 alone, more than 190,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will diagnosed among U.S. women.
Invincibelle Spirit’s introduction into retail opens up new fundraising opportunities with nurseries, garden centers and community organizations. Spring Meadow Nursery, Invincibelle Spirit’s official licensee, offers a BCRF donation widget on its Web site to further assist the cause.
Bred by Dr. Thomas Ranney, Richard Olsen, and the team at Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Development Center at NC State University, Invincibelle™ Spirit is a breakthrough plant. Not only is it a thriving survivor, it is noticeably special because its flowers emerge a dark, hot pink color and mature to a rich clear pink. As a continuous bloomer, it produces new mop-head flowers from early summer until frost for a grand and beautiful seasonal display.
Gardeners have come to rely on ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea as the iron clad arborescens that grows from Mobile to Manitoba in many soil types and exposures. Virtually maintenance free, it’s no wonder that ‘Annabelle’ has been the best selling hydrangea in the world. Its one obvious limitation: It blooms only in white -- until now.
With its rich pink mop-head flowers and rounded habit, Invincibelle™ Spirit works well in general landscaping, including naturalized areas. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, Invincibelle takes full sun to part shade and reblooms without deadheading.
Proven Winners® ColorChoice® flowering shrubs are developed by Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc in Grand Haven, Michigan to help consumers be more successful with gardening. Go to www.springmeadownursery.com or www.provenwinners.com for more information.