PICTURES of my Hydrangea

[Tulirose]

This is the Hydrangea plant DH and I bought last year during our trip to Westbury Gardens here on LI. I did not get it planted in the ground quick enough and it looked like it went through a fire but we planted it anyway. DH wanted to know WHY we were planting a dead plant (that we spent money on, no less!). This picture was taken in late August 2001. <IMG width= "300" SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid25/p452ba155b456afe4cdd48a18c5c630b5/fd88d86a.jpg">
You can already see it showing some signs of life after giving it lots and lots of water but I really thought it was dead, dead, dead.

Early May and it greened up nicely. When it didn't seem to be getting any more leaves, I cut off the rest of the dead branches for this picture. <IMG width= "300" SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pe9d5762c22ecab8bc00a92e4556a7639/fd6ab9fe.jpg">


The flowers started showing themselves and began bloomin in early July. I was SO excited!!
<IMG width= "300" SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid25/p9e4174243ef13811a14fd2820f7dc9e0/fd88df0b.jpg">

Finally, this last picture is of the plant in full bloom, healthy and happy! I have decided that this plant is my memorial plant for my dear friend, gone one year tomorrow. The plant is determined, full of spunk and so very beautiful - as was my friend, Kathy. God Bless You Kathy, I know you have found peace. <IMG width= "500" SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/p9b55d2a0583033b12c61602168412758/fd6abdb8.jpg">

 

[olena]

It rebounded well. It's a white Hydrangea? I'm considering planting some next year. I just have to pick the perfect spot.

 

[Tulirose]

Hi Olena - I dug out the ID tag to answer your question accurately. It is a Hydrangea paniculata "Pink Diamond" - white conical flower heads take on a pink color as they mature, turning finally to an all-over deep shade of rose, blooms start mid-summer, a vigorous growing shrub, 6'.

Vigorous is definitely the word for it!!! It goes on to say that it is highly adaptable. Grows well in light shade or full sun. Best grown in a moist well drained organically enriched soil......

I am VERY pleased, to say the least.

 

[Tulirose]

Hey, the tag also says that it may be pruned in early-late March to maintain desire size and that the flowers form on current season's wood. If I had cut back more, does that mean I would have gotten more flowers?! Hmm...

And I can't wait for when it is mature enough to turn pink. I assume when they say mature they mean when the plant gets older and more established. The flowers are changing color now but more to a beige-brown, not pink.

Forget about Plant of the Week. This has to be my PLANT OF THE SEASON!!

 

[olena]

I bet it will be lovely! Do you feed it?

One year, my Mom put chicken manure on her hydrangeas and they LOVED it. The blooms were such a dark and vivid blue....they looked purple.

 

[Snowwark]

What an amazing rebound Tulirose, and a very lovely tribute to your friend Kathy.

Thank you for sharing your pictures and your story with us.

 

[Mamu]

Tuli what a beautiful tribute to a dear friend. I so happy to see it's thriving.

 

[amid chaos]

amazing...just amazing..beautiful too.

 

[SideshowBob]

That is so cooll....

Back from the "deathbed" almost, it seems.... HAHA!

Beautiful.

 

[NHMickey]

Wow that came back strong... Looks great.

 

[Glinda]

Wow! Just beautiful. Now that's what I call having a green thumb!