Center Stage: Hydrangea!

As gardeners we are all aware and treasure the rhythms of our garden as various plants come into bloom and take the fore. Most recently the hydrangea has taken her place as the Queen of local gardens, and I did not waste a minute going out and documenting her royal beauty!

Her lacy abundance and delicacy truly demand and deserve a special place in the garden.

hydrangea XVIII. — modL. hydrangēa, f. Gr. hudōr, hudr- WATER + ággos vessel; so called with ref. to the cup-like form of the seed-capsule.~Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etomology

Most gardeners learn early on that hydrangeas need lots of water. That “hydra” at the beginning of her name is a clue, the same clue at the beginning of our common word “hydrate.” Should we miss the clue the hydrangea will oblige to remind us by wilting mercilessly before our very eyes in the slightest hot afternoon sun. Whoops! Get the hose! Fortunately she’s also forgiving and will normally bounce back if the offense was not too dire. Teeny warning. I once had a nursery person put a large one in the front seat of my car and the sun’s rays were amplified through the windshield to such a degree that that particular plant required some serious (sad) pruning later in the day and only eventually came back around to my original purchase. Lesson learned. Put them in the shadiest part of your vehicle ’till you arrive safely home! Here she is now.

I am particularly charmed that little Border Collie Ruby makes a big point of running in a circle around this large pot, just under the overarching branches, over and over again, and then jumps in the splash pool which lives just adjacent. So cute.

I am ever so certain someone reading this post will be thinking, “Pink? Did you find only pink?” I must confess to a predisposition to pink, but I was captivated by many other colors I found in my neighborhood hydrangea foray! How could someone not be captivated by the beauty of this red and white hydrangea? I was.

Or the beauty of this purple blending into a soft rose?

A white lacecap caught my eye this morning. I find the blue center fascinating.

And just imagine the joy to find these gracing the front of your home. Hydrangea heaven!

What captured my heart perfectly, however, was, this, well, perfect heart!

May you be blessed, dear readers, with a hydrangea in your garden world!

Love and gardening hugs,
Kathryn xoxo

23 Responses to “Center Stage: Hydrangea!”

  1. Your hydrangeas are beautiful. Ours have finished blooming and they were very nice this year.

  2. Hi, Philip! Our unseasonably hot weather is speeding up their process, but I am amazed at what they are able to weather with care. 🙂 Kathryn xoxo

  3. Wow Kathryn, your hydrangea photos are spectacular! I love these flowers, they do really well out here on the coast too.

    Kathlene
    BodegaBayLife.com

  4. Hi, Kathlene! Yes, it’s wonderful how adaptable hydrangea is in spite of having very specific water needs. I bet they love it out on the coast. I wonder how the salt air affects them. I’m always so intrigued by their color journeys! (They change, you know!) Kathryn xoxo

  5. They are absolutely gorgeous Kathryn, I almost wanted to dive into the screen. I don’t think I can grow them here outside but once or twice every year I buy them in a pot, unfortunatly I seem to be a master of killing them quite quick 🙁
    Thank you for a most lovely post.

    Greetings from Vaxholm/ xoxo TYRA

  6. Good morning, Tyra! Lovely to see you here today. Yes, hydrangea is absolutely intoxicating. And I’m guessing you might be a bit too far north except my readings suggest there are types for almost every region, so perhaps you could delve in a bit more and find one that would make it in your environ! I hope so! Let us know! Hugs! Kathryn xoxo

  7. Just beatiful, your hydrangeas. I feel blessed to have an abundance of them and twice blessed that your shared yours, such an inspiration.

  8. Welcome, Nell Jean! What a lovely comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit! Kathryn xoxo

  9. Wow! I Love hydrangeas! Your pics are Beautiful!!

    Love you,
    Antonia
    xoxox

  10. Thanks, Sweetie! Glad you enjoyed them! Love, Mom xoxo

  11. Your hydrangeas are exceptional.. .they truly are a joy to behold!

  12. Welcome, Ilona, and thank you for the visit! Kathryn xoox

  13. Very beautiful Kathryn. I wish they grew so well here. In Oklahoma, they have their good and bad days. 🙂 Oh, to be in California in the summer. ~~Dee

  14. Hi, Dee! I’m always amazed they do as well as they do in this heat! But I think the secret is water, which, of course, is a consideration. But they certainly do give a lot. Glad you enjoyed the pics! Thanks for the visit, dear. 🙂 Kathryn xoox

  15. Love the one in the shape of a heart!

  16. Hi, Theresa! Yes, the one with the heart is very special. I’m so glad I found it! Thanks for stopping by!
    Kathryn xoxo

  17. Ooooh, I love hydrangeas and yours are so lush. So many colors! I have been meaning to plant a pair out front. I shall remember your watering tip.

  18. Welcome, Sarah! Oh, I do hope you will plant that pair out front. You will be so glad you did! Kathryn xoxo

  19. I just love hydrangea!
    These photos are amazing!!!

  20. Oh, hi, Marie! Welcome and thank you! It would appear that many gardeners, including myself, share your enthusiasm for these beautiful plants. I hope you have them in your garden! Kathryn xoox

  21. Kathryn, I loved this post! We lived in Asheville for 18 months in 1986-7 when my husband, Chaelie worked on the bridge over French Broad Creek in the center of Asheville. We loved it there! and we visited Biltmore several times when our friends and family came to visit. We lived in a 28 foot Jayco camper at Bear Creek Campsite near I-40, We spent nearly every weekend traveling the Blue ridge and the Smoky Mountain area. We plan to visit again when our grandson gets married in Edenton in May and we will stick around till June and drive the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive and see the flame azalea and rhododendron on our way home. Speaking of azaleas I will forward an email I got from a friend to you. Keep in touch. Oh, I bought a hydrangia this year and we have had so much rain it has turned brown. do i cut it off and will it come back? Bye.

  22. Dear Kathryn, you documented very well Her Royal Beauty – I am also one of those who are deeply in love with her.
    Have a nice weekend,
    Ewa

  23. Hi, dear Ewa! 🙂 Her Royal Beauty is such a lovely name for hydrangea, clearly a name that speaks of your admiration! We all pretty much do love her, indeed. She speaks deeply to us. Thanks for your visit. Kathryn xoxo

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