Dear Charlotte:
Annabelle Hydrangea is an Arborescens type and will boom annually on current year growth, ensuring you bloom every year.
I suggest you start out with just a few plants at first and learn the care and culture aspects of growing hydrangea. You could expect to get some blooms the first year with the plants increasing the number and size of blooms as they become established. While you are learning the best growing techniques, you will need to develop a way to consistently dry the blooms. This will likely involve a drying structure of some size as you increase your plants and get more blooms. Starting out this may be accomplished using your garage, basement, or perhaps a room in your home.
All the while you are doing the above two objectives, you should begin to explore potential markets for your dried and live flowers. Local florists, Farmer’s Markets, Farm Stands, etc., if you are going to sell directly. If there is a wholesale florist supply in the area, investigate selling wholesale. Depending on your market, packaging may be needed to present your flowers in an attractive and appealing manner.
As soon as you are sure this is what you want to do, a business plan will be helpful, especially as you expand. Some form of insurance will be needed. If you hire help, record keeping, payroll, state and federal taxes will be a part of your business.
Hopefully this has been helpful.
Sincerely, Richard Hentschel
