FLOWER POWER

After weeks of drought, it finally rained last night, which made my hydrangeas happy.

Hydrangeas are a subject near and dear to my heart. ‘Pia’ is one of my favorites. I have two bushes on either side of the stepping stones leading to my patio (see above).

It’s sold as a dwarf but it’s only slightly shorter than other varieties. The bush is more compact, however, and the flowers are a magical mix of dreamy colors (photo below).

Recently, I discovered a hydrangea on the Little French Garden House blog (see blog du jour) that I’ve got to have. I queried ‘Little French’ about the second photo in her posting and learned that it’s called ‘Royal Ruby’.

“Here in our hot California climate ‘Royal Ruby’ never is red, just a dark dark pink. I bought it at Trader Joe's! It is about 5 years old, and after it blooms reddish, it turns burgundy, then green,” says Lidy of 'Little French'.

To view some great flower porn, check out www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com. There’s a link to a portfolio of ‘Endless Summer’ photos, too. From the photos on the site, you can see the one drawback of these free flowering bushes. The flowers tend to be a solid color – without the mottling that I love -- although they do change color as the flowers mature. Personally, I prefer 'Pia'.


*** THE FRENCH CONNECTION ***
While in France, I photographed dozens of hydrangeas.

Parisiennes are mad for these bouquet-like bushes.

Although the most commonly grown type in America (Hydrangea macrophylla) are commonly called French Hydrangea, the French grow dozens of beautiful varieties – ‘Lace Cap’ (photobelow) ‘Anabelle’ and oak leaf types.

Including this gorgeous pink one I photographed at the Rodin museum.

The Rodin Museum has at least 200 hydrangea bushes of all types. Not all were in peak shape during my visit but enough were for me to snap off at least 50 photos!

The hedge of white mop caps was breathtaking ( photo below)

Our B & B in Honfleur, also had several gorgeous hydrangeas --all white (photo in blog box). Originally a convent for Augustine nuns, the B & B consisted of a number of small buildings from the 17th century (around a flower-filled coutyard).


***** BLOG DU JOUR *****
Lidy grew up in Europe and loves gardens, antiques, cottages, rhinestones and everything that sparkles. Visit once and you'll be hooked. http://littlefrenchgardenhouse.blogspot.com