After the Rain - Hydrangeas - Digital Photograph

The Hydrangea's are Back!

Stunning isn't it?

Just one bush of many

Love this color

After almost two weeks of rain, every day, morning and night, yesterday we saw sunshine. I decided to get out early and take some pictures. 

At my new house I do not have much landscaping. My house sits right up into some woods. It sits in a neighborhood of mid-century ranches. All of them are 50 plus years old. Many have the original owners, or the kids bought out the parents, two or three generations of the same family occupying the house at some time. Each leaving their own mark.

My house was owned by two families, each growing old here. When I moved in the old tired bushes someone had pulled out. The masses of ivy someone had tried to tame. Most of the flowers had seen better days. However, along my driveway there was a bunch of Hydrangeas and several rose bushes. 

This year after much feeding and lots of rain the Hydrangeas have come into their own. They look beautiful! I am still planting, moving plants, and trying to tame the ivy. But, as I come and go, the Hydrangeas cheer me on.

Summer Flowers - Hydrangea's

Sisters

Pink and Dirty

Blue and Green

Hydrangea's are some of my favorite flowers. Everyday they are a little different. They last for weeks, always changing and evolving. I love them through every phase. Here are a few photographs I took of three different clusters of blossums from three different bushes. The last photograph - blue and green - is the one I used in the digital collage Memories of Home. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do![please make sure you enlarge them to get the full effect!]

What a Difference a Day Can Make....

Yesterday I took my friends pups out for a little stroll and to get the mail. It was a beautiful day and the last of the snow was melting away. On these types of days even the smallest of task is enjoyable. I saw this beautiful dried Hydrangea blossom in her front yard. Of course I had to whip out my phone and take some pictures. This is the result from yesterday. And...

This is the result from today. It is damp and cloudy. I woke up to rain. I love how the moisture has turned the dried blossoms a rusty color. These bushes and their flowers are some of my favorites. I grew up with Hydrangea's and my fascination with them continues. Every one is different and everyone is beautiful in their own way. Young or old. Bright or faded...

In My Garden...

These Hydrangeas are on one side of my house by my front porch. I love the delicate pinks and yellows that turn into lavender when they are almost finished. These are so southern. I use to gather them and use them as pom pom's when I was younger when I practiced cheering.

These are on the other side of my house. This is the hydrangea as the head is starting to form. It is hard to believe that from such tight little balls come these huge flower petals.

And...this is the Hydrangea after the head has formed and is blooming. I have maybe ten of these up to six feet tall and wide along the drive of my house. Every time I pull in they make me smile.

I thought I would share some photos of my Hydrangeas that are in full bloom. The blue or pink depends on the acidity in the soil. You can alter the soil and change the color of the bushes. I like both colors so I alter the blue ones. I use nails. When planting you are suppose to put a box of nails in the bottom of the hole. These are seven years old so it is time to dig around them and set some nails. They have chemicals that you can use that do the same thing, but my grandmother always told me that "nails don't wash away." It is sort of fun to think that rust makes such glorious colors.