Fall color: Not all hydrangeas are created equal

POSTED BY KIM — You’ll have to humor me.  It’s one of my last chances to write about hydrangeas this year, since they’re all getting ready to drop their leaves.  I’m always adding new hydrangeas to my garden (and this means pulling out and pitching hydrangea “dogs.” I recently gave ‘Penny Mac’ the heave-ho because it was [...]

Hydrangea ‘Invincibelle Spirit’ — the new pink ‘Annabelle’

POSTED BY KIM — All you hydrangea lovers have probably already heard about ‘Invincibelle Spirit,’ the world’s first pink ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea. You can’t open a magazine almost without seeing an ad for it, so we expect it to be a big big seller next year.  I say “next year” because it hasn’t been released for [...]

It’s Time to Twist and Shout

POSTED BY PEGGY:  Hydrangea ‘Twist and Shout’ is the latest in the everblooming Endless Summer Series of Big Leaf Hydrangeas.  Endless Summer Hydrangeas bloom on old wood (last year’s growth) and new wood (this year’s growth).  This means if you accidently prune your Big Leaf Hydrangea or a cold winter kills last year’s growth, it will [...]

“Mom, what are those brown bags in the backyard?”

POSTED BY KIM — I never know what my kids are going to notice — or not notice.  The other morning 9-year-old Cameron said, “Mom, what are those brown bags in the backyard?”
Good question, Cameron!  You see, I have this hydrangea *problem.*  I love them.  I’m MAD about them.  So as I peruse plant catalogues [...]

Stop! Step away from the Hydrangeas!

POSTED BY PEGGY:  Your big leaf hydrangeas have never been uglier.  Their slimy, wilted leaves are hanging on by a thread.  They are shades of brown, yellow and just plain ugly.  They are overgrown and out of shape. They will not be tolerated.

Wait!  Before you run for your Felcos, remember this: Big leaf hydrangeas set [...]

A rainy day doesn’t dim the glow of this climbing hydrangea

POSTED BY KIM — It’s sprinkling here in Webster Groves and it’s finally beginning to feel a little more like true autumn.  The leaves have all turned spectacular colors, but the weather has been unusually balmy — not anymore!
I’ve been noticing the great fall color on my climbing hydrangea — a very respectable yellow.  I [...]

Annabelle hydrangea round #2

POSTED BY KIM — My hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ put on a great show mid-summer, but look at it now — round 2!  I did deadhead after the first set of blooms just to tidy up, so this second set of flowers is a nice surprise.  I have this funny spot on the west side of [...]

Mother-in-law mums

POSTED BY KIM — A few falls ago we visited my in-laws in Minneapolis.  As I took a tour of my mother-in-law’s garden, I admired these sweet mums and asked if I could take a few home to try in my garden.  Voilá!  Instant beauty.
Gardeners can sometimes be a bold bunch, asking for “pieces” of a plant, or a “small [...]