This huge hydrangea is at my mom and dad's house. It was rooted years ago from another hydrangea on their property.
I now have five small ones rooted from this bush. I hope mine grow to be this big one day.
I don't think I have ever seen it so full of blooms.
Some of my earliest memories of flowers are in the form of the puffy blue hydrangea blooms.
Although my mom is not a gardener, she always had hydrangeas for simple arrangements in the summer.
Upon closer inspection, one realizes that there are actually many tiny flowers in one flowerhead.
This is one of the easiest bushes to root. I usually cut several of the soft stems and put them in a vase of water. After a couple of weeks, roots develop on the stems and then I plant them right in the ground in the garden. Some people use a rooting hormone and place them directly in soil. Both methods work fairly well.
After taking my pictures this morning, I decided that the six hydrangeas that I have in my garden are not enough. I think I need to root some more this summer.
I could never have too many of these beautiful blue blooms.
Although this particular bush is directly in the sun most of the day, they do prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. They also require a lot of water. This one is located at a downspout for a gutter and gets dish water thrown out at its base often. The color can be changed by changing the acidity of the soil, although I don't think I would ever want anything besides blue.
Nothing says summertime to me like a hydrangea bush full of blooms. What says summertime to you?
18 comments:
what gorgeous blue hydrangeas you have!
they must really be shaded from the harsh
midday sun and be getting LOTS of water.
my daughter remarked that our cit is having
a hydrangea bonanza, too.
I would choose blue, too. I don't know if I've ever seen a prettier one than yours! I don't have a hydrangea - always thought they were temperamental....and wasn't sure if I could make/keep one blue - which is the only way I'd want one.
I love hydrangeas. I need to have my soil tested to see what I have to do to get the blues. I get purple. I want blues by the garage though. Yours are just gorgeous! I can't believe the blooms on them! I am going to try your method of rooting them. My MIL has some that I can reroot off of.
Stunning blue hydrangea!
My first garden love, but I have deer who love to eat them. At a previous house, I had a huge collection. I I hid one from them here (and they found the last three years)...and I moved it this spring...and they haven't found it yet...so, I have my first blooms! It's just a matter of time before the party is over, I'm sure.
That is a beautiful hydrangea!
What a gorgeous hydrangea! I've started a bed or hydrangeas and now have about eight of them - some mopheads and some lacecaps. I want to add more, and may try rooting some this summer. I also love the variations in the shades of blue - and pink - that the flowers have. Mine range from almost purple to very pale blue.
The blue of hydrangea is the colour of summer in my garden as well as agapanthus. Their leaves invariably droop on sunny afternoons because as you say, they are very water hungry.
I think I need some rhapsody in blue! What stunning blossoms!
pve
Wow! What beautiful blues! And you have so many! I've never been able to grow them in my yard, but I do have one huge pot that's beginning to bloom. The blooms are pink but never got very big last year.
What says "summertime" to me? Among other things, VBS, neighbor kids out at play during the day, church camps, watermelons . . .
Have a great week!
It is simply gorgeous! I love hydrangeas for their romance and that blue for sure.
Hydrangeas and peonies are my absolute favorites. Your photos are breath taking!
Re: Pound cake. If you aren't a cake baker, then pound cake is for you. It is almost no-fail and, quite delicious, when it does (go sad).
Best,
Bonnie
wow, that's one spectacular bush! mine are still mostly leaves. Summer to me - baskets of blueberries and minty ice tea. Please send me your recipe for ice tea - sounds like you are a pro and I'd love any extra tips. I'm going to try a black tea and green tea mixture..
Those are the loveliest hydrangeas. They make my old white Annabelles look very ordinary.
Marnie
My blog was behaving very strangely this morning so I may be repeating myself here. First, the hydrangeas are lovely. They, and peonies, are my favorite flowers. Second, if you are not a cake baker, then a pound cake is for you. They can take over mixing and under mixing when other cakes can't. I like them best when they "fall" or are "sad". They get better with age and freeze well. So, give it a try. I guarantee it!
Best,
Bonnie
Be still my heart! That is one gorgeous hydrangea! It brings back memories of childhood. Thanks for sharing! Have a blessed week!
Fantastic pictures of a pretty plant! I don't feel summer yet, since we have rain, rain every day... But my hydrangeas look good, although they are just green so far.
I'm with you on the hydrangeas!! Bliss in a bush.
I have three nice bushes, but I think I need more. I'm going to try your rooting system. Wish me luck!
My two blue ones are huge this year too and as they're in front of the porch I'm going to have to prune them back hard next time as we are starting to resemble a 'secret garden', like in overgrown!! They are heaving with blooms and top heavy.
You'll be able to dry some of your mom's come Fall - they turn such wonderful soft colors for display indoors.
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