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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,652
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

This hydrangea is so big, it is hard to get it in one photo.  About 10’ by 10’.  This is the front view.  The flowers are enormous.  It amazes me in this season of record breaking heat how this thrives.  I can’t water it because I can’t get at the base and I can’t fertilize it for the same reason.

 

I might as well enjoy it while it lasts because I am sure the weight of the flowers will break the branches some day.

 

My favorite time of year.  LM

 

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Snakeroot.

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The perennials are in full bloom now.

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This is the back view of the Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea.

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Hillside garden.  My Japanese forest grass is taking over the hosta.  Time to divide.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,295
Registered: ‎03-27-2010

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

[ Edited ]

Such a beautiful yard...your own sanctuary.  Do you live in the southeast part of the country?  I have a hydrangea bush in my back yard and it has lush green leaves, but no flowers,

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,113
Registered: ‎04-14-2013

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

Beautiful, the way you've framed the view with the panicle hydrangea.  Will you cut it back at all when dormant?  I'm going to selectively cut my Annabelle (hydrangea arborescens) this coming Feb/Mar (we are waaay far ahead of your seasons here), as the blossoms need a bit more support, from some woody stems at the base, and I want it to grow a bit taller where it is.

 

Too bad I had to take a mature maple out this year - Annabelle did not like the sudden blast of sun.

 

Interesting, cimicifuga (snakeroot) next to juniper.  You must have a nice mix of sun and shade there.

 

It took me awhile, but I learned to pronounce forest grass's botanical name!  I don't think I can spell it off the top of my head, though.  I have seen that to be slow to establish, but once it does it is magnificent, as can be seen in your photo.

 

Your garden is really lovely.  Maturing into something really grand, around your already grand natural vista.

Cogito ergo sum
Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,004
Registered: ‎03-10-2013

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

[ Edited ]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful gardens with us this summer. I’m loving the color of the enormous hydrangeas.

 

Cant wait to see your fall gardens (if you plant).

 

@Lilysmom

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,652
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

@phoenixbrd, I live East Coast Canada.  Maine is the closest US state to us.  Similar climates.  LM

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,652
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

@Sweetbay magnolia, some of the hydrangeas just wilt in the sun.  I have had a change in light as a result of downed trees as well and I had. To move hydrangeas because of it.

 

I am probably going to let Mother Nature prune the vanilla strawberry.  It was planted in a bed of granite rocks so it is very hard to access.  I was surprised it even took.  I placed landscape cloth in a well in the rocks and then good soil and compost.  The shrub has been there close to ten years now and just motors along on it’s own.  Wish everything was as easy to care for!

 

The cimicifuga gets morning sun and afternoon shade.  It is a late bloomer but so pretty.

 

A friend gave me a cutting of Vibernum Shoshoni which I planted in a corner close to the rock wall.  Her plant is gorgeous.  I wound up adding a few hydrangeas and hostas to the corner to finish it off.  I am anxious to see if it takes.  Fingers crossed!

 

DH says all I do is move shrubs around now.  There is a lot of truth in that as the garden matures.  LM

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,652
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

@OKPrincess, Fall color is creeping into the garden.  We are on the downward hill of this year’s season.  Temperatures still warm enough for swimming.  In the honeymoon period between garden growth and Fall clean!  LM

Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,697
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

@Lilysmom

 

WOW JUST WOW!

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~
Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,236
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

Your so talented, just so lovely.

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,023
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Vanilla strawberry hydrangea and others

GORGEOUS