ABC Wednesday - H

Honestly!  This is one of my favorite shrubs.  There are many varieties of Hydrangeas. The following has been in my yard for a number of years.  I chose it for the very reason that it is somewhat unusual.  (Another is 'Pinky Winky' that does virtually the same thing, except the flowers have a completely different appearance - conical shaped!)

The following two shrubs are Hydrangea paniculata:

Here is a look at 'Quickfire.'  This photo was take in June 2016.

The following photo was taken August 25, 2016.

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Have a great day!!  Hug a Hydrangea!!
SG

Tongue in Cheek - Akin to Blogging? GBMD

ou, Reader

by Billy Collins, poet and Poet Laureate of US 2001-2003
author of seven collections of poetry, including this volume -
The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems.


I wonder how you are going to feel
when you find out
that I wrote this instead of you,

that it was I who got up early
to sit in the kitchen
and mention with a pen

the rain-soaked windows,
the ivy wallpaper,
and the goldfish circling in its bowl.

Go ahead and turn aside,
bite your lip and tear out the page,
but, listen---it was just a matter of time

before one of us happened
to notice the unlit candles
and the clock humming on the wall.

Plus, nothing happened that morning---
a song on the radio,
a car whistling along the road outside---

and I was only thinking
about the shakers of salt and pepper
that were standing side by side on a place mat.

I wondered if they had become friends
after all these years
or if they were still strangers to one another

like you and I
who manage to be known and unknown
to each other at the same time---

me at this table with a bowl of pears,
you leaning in a doorway somewhere
near some blue hydrangeas, reading this.


Shady's note: Actually, I'm sitting at the computer and you may be enjoying your hydrangea... is it blue? Or is it like this below... my 'Pinky Winky' in its second year?

I know, I know.
I understand that the name is slightly silly... but the plant is not. :-)

Now visit Carolyn at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. She began this muse. Aren't you glad?
Have a great day!

Happy About These Two Hydrangeas

I completely understand and agree with Mr. McGregor's Daughter that silly names for plants are uncalled for. After all. However, I so liked this plant that I purchased it anyway. It came to my house last Fall in a 3" pot. I put the entire pot in the ground and let it stay there until this Spring when I relocated it to the south side of the house. Normal south sides are sunny. This one is quite the opposite, but it's blooming!! Here are the blossoms. I'm hoping next year it will be even showier.
:-)





You've seen this photo (or one similar) before, but if you look in the foreground, you'll see the other hydrangea I ordered last Fall. This is 'Quickfire.' It's not blooming, yet. It may not this year. But that's okay! I'm sure it'll bloom next year... and I'll wait!

I've never thought I'd wanted hydrangeas until I spotted these two. There might be another couple I'd like out there, but for now... these will make me happy! :-)

Green Thumb Sunday

I always forget about doing this. I'm not "subscribed." I tried to get the image posted... and I did once, but it didn't "go anywhere" or do what I thought it was supposed to. Oh, well. I can show what's blooming here, anyway! ;-)

My beautiful poinsettia!

I thought I'd turn the photo, but it looks better this way - I think.

Can't resist a close-up! :-)

These are my "bonus" calla lilies. I guess I'll be snipping their blossoms today.
The plants probably need to rest awhile before I plant them outdoors.

Here's a nice close-up of my Shooting Star Hydrangea.
Since it's Zone 7, I'll enjoy it through the Fall, at least!
Hence the name. :-)
I know, my hybiscus isn't quite blooming. But it ALmost is.
It's been awhile, and I've missed it!

Walking on the "Sunny side" today! ;-)

New Additions to the "Family!"

I returned home from a short visit with my parents on Tuesday. Mom sent this baby bromeliad with me. The parent plants were in full bloom. The leaves are streaked with red. I'm so excited!

On Friday, Jan. 11, I found a plethera of amarylis bulbs marked at $1 each. What a great surprise! I came home with 6 bulbs, five of which were only beginning to sprout. I had purchased a "half-price" bulb a few days earlier. You can see the line-up below. (Next to my cactus that sorely needs dividing and my friends' Norfolk Island Pine.)
Here are the two bulbs that have a good start. The hidden amarylis in the green pot is one I purchased before Christmas. It's stuck in "neutral."
Yesterday,while at the grocery store, I found two calla lilies that had been forced ($2 each). I brought them home. Shouldn't they get a rest before Spring? What's the advice, here?

And last, but not least, is a crazy thing I did! This next plant is a Hydrangea macrophylia-Lace Cap." Shooting Star. I purchased it because I was absolutely swept up by the blossoms... and thought the sale was a bonus! :-) This is a Zone 7 plant. Could it be a houseplant? I haven't spent much time looking for information. Could I put it outdoors in a somewhat larger pot this Spring and bring it indoors in the fall? Would it ever bloom again? Would it get too huge? Could it be trimmed? I'm thinking that would be a challenge... or is the $5 investment best enjoyed for the moment?