HYDRANGEAS
With
each season comes a favorite blossom. As that of the previous season fades
another begins to immerge to take its place thus always providing enchantment
and delight in a garden.
the Lacecap Hydrangea in the foreground and the Oakleaf Hydrangea in the background |
I’ve
heard it said it is essential for every southern garden to have the trinity of
the Hydrangea, Azalea and Camellia.
I am
greatly in favor of all these flowering shrubs. I have been enchanted by the
large clustered flowers of the Hydrangea that lend themselves so beautifully to
the garden’s landscape, to flower arrangements and to flower preserving.
As with
the Camellia, and Peony a number of other flowers, some Hydrangeas come to us
from the Orient as well as North and South America.
Hydrangeas
are divided into two flowering types – mopheads – large drapy flowers and
lacecaps – flat elegant flowers.
Most
hydrangeas are white, with the exception of the H Macrophylla breed which can
be shades of blue, pink, light purple and dark purple.
I have
found the truth in these flowers in that their color is definitely affected by
the pH of the soil.
Last Autumn, I rooted a few branches from my
mother-in-law’s shrub – beautiful bright blue blossoms.
Blue and White Mantel with my Mother-in-law's blue Hydrangeas |
Mine are
coming out pink – it is all in the soil!
We are going to root more and play
with the colors.
I love
the large Oakleaf Hydrangea that was here when we bought our home – it is quite
large – we have shared many babies with friends.
It is
enveloping the mirror I hung at its side along with the Winter Jasmine.
It is
also hugging my sweet statue with its blooms and large leaves.
The
Endless Summer Hydrange – should be pink – but is also affected by the acidity
of the soil and is turning out blue.
The Lady
in Red Hydrangea began red – turned blue and when I moved her is showing signs
of going back to being red.
Hydrangeas
lend themselves easily to rooting allowing you to introduce favorite heirloom
flowers – such as the ones from my mother-in-law’s garden.
Hydrangeas
are definitely a beautiful – fun shrub for the garden.