I squeal with glee at the first Hydrangea blooms in late spring. But it is really this time of year that I love them the most. They treat us to magnificent colors and abundant blooms all summer. Then the icing on the cake … they help us prepare for winter by transforming into betwitching color combinations.
Our next-door neighbor, Harry, gave us our first Mophead Hydrangea when our son was born, 20 years ago. Thankfully, it has survived a move or two around the yard. But I am a glutton … especially when it comes to Mophead Hydrangeas. A local variety store was letting their Hydrangeas dry and die … I saved them and brought them home. With "Harry's Hydrangea" and my saved few … I was off and gardening in Hydrangea Heaven. It doesn't escape me how lucky we are to be able to grow them. Many of my friends in dryer, hotter climates have no such success. Which makes me even more thankful that I live in Edmonds.
Pruning them is a difficult task for me. I have 13 in one bed and try to alternate when pruning. At least half of them will bloom if I have gotten it wrong. I have success in propagating Hydrangeas, easy and good treats for friends. Hydrangeas do best when allowed to dry on the plant before picking them. I leave blooms on the shrub until early fall, until the petals start to feel a little leathery. Cut them, strip all leaves from stem and put them a vase filled 1/4 of water. By the time the water evaporates, the Hydrangeas are usually dried to perfection. The best is giving them to friends. I have gone as far as to ship big boxes of dried Hydrangeas to Texas! And always make a couple of wreaths ... see how here or here.
Using a letter punch, I spell out words on the leaves during the summer. Whimsy to discover entire sentences hidden in plain view. In a bouquet, I make sure to include a 'word leaf'. Recently a friend gave the dried 'word leaf' back to me in a bouquet.
Looking for more space for a few new ones, Hydrangea City Line™ Rio and Hydrangea arborescens Incrediball™. Yummy!
Learn more at HYDRANGEAS! HYDRANGEAS! or see more - Hydrangeas Plus