Happy Thursday sweet friends. I hope you have had a good week. Our weather continues to be a topic of conversation, mostly rain and a little sun. Prayers for everyone to our south and east who are being impacted by Tropical Storm Elsa.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
I think by now everyone knows I have never met a hydrangea that I don’t love. I make a trip almost weekly to visit my friend and her hydrangea farm. By this time in July, many hydrangeas are beginning to fade and ready to be harvested for drying. But hydrangea paniculata, which I grow in my garden, are just beginning to bloom.
Be sure to read to the end of this post to enter a lovely giveaway!
“Little lambs” were planted last year and are almost in full bloom. It is unique because its flower petals are the smallest and most delicate of any hydrangea. They are perfect for cutting. Vanilla strawberry hydrangeas are in the background with their pistachio color of immature blooms. They will be turning creamy white within the next couple of weeks.
We have a total of five vanilla strawberry hydrangeas in the garden! This is a photo from a previous year.
Limelights are planted in the back of the garden with sunflowers peeking from behind the fence!
In this photo the vanilla strawberry hydrangeas are beginning to turn pink. With our hot climate they never turn a strawberry color. Hydrangea paniculata are the most sun tolerant of all hydrangeas and bloom on new growth!
For more hydrangea inspiration check out “Gardening With Limelight & Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas”
Invincibelle Spirit is the first ever pink Annabelle hydrangea producing loads of snowball shaped blooms.
Stunning Annabelle blooms!
Macrophylla also known as French or mop heads are the most popular of all hydrangeas. They can be blue, pink, red, light or dark purple depending upon the soil pH.
Since hydrangeas are my favorite flower, I am giving away this beautiful book that was published in 2020, “Hydrangeas” beautiful varieties for home and garden. It was written by Naomi Slade and photography is by Georgianna Lane. If you love hydrangeas or flowers, this is a must add book to your collection.
Naomi Slade is a biologist by training, naturalist by inclination, and has a lifelong love of plants. Georgianna Lane is a leading floral, garden, and travel photographer whose work has been widely published internationally. I have several of Ms. Lane’s books. The wealth of information about the history, growing and care, and the varieties of hydrangeas is invaluable. Each photograph is frame worthy which adds such beauty to the book.
Stunning colors and varieties!
Vanille Fraise (vanilla strawberry) is described as one of the most frothily joyful of modern hydrangeas. The slightly lax habit of the plant makes it ideal for a cottage garden or informal setting. It was voted top plant of 2010 by the American Nursery and Landscape Association!
Shamelessly fueling the current passion for hydrangeas, Limelight is a creature of form and intriguing hue. The flowers develop in different stages of color and maturity.
Hydrangeas are the most used blooms in my arrangements!
To enter the giveaway and for a chance to win,
leave a comment telling me your favorite variety of hydrangeas. How easy is that!!
The contest is open to those living in the continental U.S. through midnight July 13th.
Thank you for your visits and wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Trying to pick your favorite hydrangea is like trying to pick your favorite child. I love them all but worked the hardest to grow Endless Summer in my garden in Maine.
I’m loving Annabelle and wondering where I can put one in my yard.
Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway.
Sheila
‘Niko Blue” macrophylla hydrangeas are my favorite but I’m also enjoying the Limelight and Oakleaf planted in my yard. I’d be happy to win your giveaway.
How can one pick a favourite when it comes to hydrangeas! I had 66 plants in my garden back when I lived in TN. My all time favourite are the Blue Mophead hydrangeas and Snowflake Hydrangeas.
Oh, I love Limelights, although the only bush I have is an Annabelle? It was here when I bought the house and I love those just as much!
Jeanie, Annabelle’s are gorgeous!
You southern gals have the best hydrangeas 🙂 I’m enjoying my little lime lights first year of growth. Thank you for sharing your darlings at the FWF party.
Thank you Rachelle!