Annabelle is stronger than people give it credit for. There will be less flop if you leave 2' of old stems when pruning in the Spring. There is zero dieback on old stems, and they are very rigid. So they will not only produce bunches of blooms themselves, but will help hold up the new stems that shoot from the ground.

My Incrediball is in test as I just got it, but maybe others can chime in on its stability.

The lime color that these arborescens fade to is superb!

My Annabelle in an eastern exposure flops, but is in a situation that it doesn't cause problems since the stems mostly lean on other shrubs. The H. paniculata varieties like 'Little Lime' won't flop, but will turn pink in the late summer

How big an area are you working with? I recommend the oakleaf hydrangeas (native to the southern areas of the USA-- namely 'Pee Wee' or if you have more space try 'Alice' or 'Snow Queen'.
I have 'Pee Wee' on a northeastern exposure (photo taken 10 years ago) at the corner of my deck and it gets about 5' wide and about 6' high. I do tend to keep it in bounds. Its a lovely white panicle shaped flower but the surprise is when the flowers open-- its FRAGRANT. Mine remind me of a vanilla scent in the heat of the summer (around July by us). The leaves are shaped like oak leaves and in the fall the leaves turn burgundy colored. As the hydrangea matures in age, the stems start to exfoliate. In the winter you see the exfoliated stems and maybe some of the remaining burgundy leaves. Its a great 3 season plant.

We must be kindred spirits. I was cutting some dried out stems the other night and wondered if my late night neighbors would notice. Hee hee hee!

Thanks everyone for the information! Didn't realize incrediballs could get so tall.