Apple Tree Gardens Hydrangeas
The Apple Tree Garden houses my random collection of hydrangeas. Some were bought from plant sales, while others were grown by me from cuttings. My summer garden tends to be too dry to grow hydrangea with confidence, but I keep a watchful eye out. And I bless the big garden irrigation system!
Hydrangeas
The cuttings strike easily, and the new plants often stay in their pots for a while. And they seem to survive - though hydrangeas appreciate frequent watering, and the Moosey pots often go without.
Pale Pink Lacecap Hydrangea
Creamy whites have a semi-shaded position in the Apple Tree Border, underneath where the old apricot and plum trees used to grow. A blue lacecap with variegated leaves grows in here, too. Funny to think that it grew from a small cutting and is now so robust.
Summer Hydrangeas
Over the grass path some newer hydrangea shrubs, planted in 2010, are now well established. They look gorgeous, and the variegated Elm tree above provides great semi-shaded conditions. Their colours are a great mixture of pinks, blues, and purples.
hydrangeas and nicotiana - from the archives
From the Archives
This is one of the early photographs of the Apple Tree Garden hydrangeas, taken about 1998. There have been many pruning and watering sessions since, and there's no room now for the giant Nicotiana sylvestris plants. But don't worry - they pop up in other parts of the garden.
Over the years I've kept on adding compost, organic matter, and mulch to the soil here. I try to prune the hydrangeas properly, though I always wait until the late winter frosts are over.
And I've just learnt how to cut Hydrangeas for the house and have them last more than one day - it's all to do with cutting into the end of their stems so water can get in.