Featured
Plant
A blue Hydrangea is
shown in combination with Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' and Hardy Geranium at
the seaside town of Cannon Beach, Oregon.
The many forms and colors of the old fashioned
Hydrangea add sparkle to the late Summer garden. The large blooms have
the added feature of being very easy to dry for large Winter bouguets.
A large basket of dried blue hydrangeas is a wonderful addition to any
room! The plants are often thought of as best for shade, but will do surprisingly
well in sunny areas. Besides the reliable Blue forms that develop on acid
soils, try the huge white blooms of 'Annabelle', or the red to pink form
of 'Alpengluhen'. The large Oak Leaf Hydrangeas, with their more pointed
white flower heads, can handle full sun with no problem. Look for the variety
'Snow Queen', or the dwarf form' Pee Wee'. Prune immediately after blooming,
removing only the stems that have flowered...or prune back hard in early
Spring for larger flowerheads.
Hydrangea "Blue Wave'on the right,
a lacecap variety, is grown with the standard blue form in raised beds
that also contain Leucothoe. Even when pruned back, the plants often reach
the roof of the shade house that looks out onto the vineyard above.
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