Sunday, September 2, 2012

Hydrangeas


Like many gardeners, I love hydrangeas. 


They flower throughout the heat of the summer, when all the spring flowers are long gone.  And sometimes they last through the fall.




They also love shade – another rarity for flowering plants. 
 



The traditional varieties come in white  --  
 


and pink/purple blue. The color of the latter depends upon the acidity of the soil. 
 


Higher acidity results in blue flowers,
 


more alkaline soil yields pink flowers. 
 


In addition to the standard varieties, there are two other breeds that are lovely. 
 


This lace cap is from Central Park’s Conservatory Garden on 105th Street. 
 


And this oak hydrangea is from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
 


Ciao
PJ

© 2012 PJ Lehrer

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