Close-up on hydrangeas
The hydrangeas have been blooming for about 6 weeks now but they are beginning to phase out. Some of them will continue blooming through the summer. That is, if we ever get rain again!
So, as Norma Desmond said, "Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up!"
"Angel's Lace"
"Big Daddy" - he didn't bloom at all last year. There has been 3 or 4 blooms this year. Sometimes it just takes them a while to get going.
"Charm" - this has been one of the prettiest this year and full of blooms.
"Mme Emile Mouillere" - another favorite, this one is almost white and ages to a light blue.
"Purple Tiers" - this year we are calling it "Pink Tiers".
"Sister Therese"
"Snowflake" - a gorgeous oakleaf.
This is Hydrangea Aspera, somewhat of a novelty and one that you don't see often. When we were going through our hydrangea madness phase and thought we had to own every cultivar known to man, we picked this up at a wonderful nusery near Atlanta that spealizies in hydrangeas (Wilkerson Mill Gardens). Thinking that it probably wouldn't make it, it has proved us wrong and seems to be perfectly happy right next to the towering pecan tree that shades most of our hydrangeas. The bloom looks not unlike any other lacecap but the growth habit it totally different - very tall (about 6 ft.), upright and a tad lanky. The leaves are fuzzy and thick. I once read that it is sometimes referred to as the "Space Cadet" hydrangea
"Mariesii Variegata" has beautiful variegated foliage which eclipse the blooms. This hydrangea has been spectacular in years past (take a look at this photo) but lately it has been going downhill. Lots of dieback and limited blooms. In fact, this is the first bloom I've seen this year
And last but not least, the dependable "Nikko Blue" with a spider friend. This is the most common hydrangeas available in nuseries. Here is a new bloom -
And here is a faded one-
So, as Norma Desmond said, "Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up!"
"Angel's Lace"
"Big Daddy" - he didn't bloom at all last year. There has been 3 or 4 blooms this year. Sometimes it just takes them a while to get going.
"Charm" - this has been one of the prettiest this year and full of blooms.
"Mme Emile Mouillere" - another favorite, this one is almost white and ages to a light blue.
"Purple Tiers" - this year we are calling it "Pink Tiers".
"Sister Therese"
"Snowflake" - a gorgeous oakleaf.
This is Hydrangea Aspera, somewhat of a novelty and one that you don't see often. When we were going through our hydrangea madness phase and thought we had to own every cultivar known to man, we picked this up at a wonderful nusery near Atlanta that spealizies in hydrangeas (Wilkerson Mill Gardens). Thinking that it probably wouldn't make it, it has proved us wrong and seems to be perfectly happy right next to the towering pecan tree that shades most of our hydrangeas. The bloom looks not unlike any other lacecap but the growth habit it totally different - very tall (about 6 ft.), upright and a tad lanky. The leaves are fuzzy and thick. I once read that it is sometimes referred to as the "Space Cadet" hydrangea
"Mariesii Variegata" has beautiful variegated foliage which eclipse the blooms. This hydrangea has been spectacular in years past (take a look at this photo) but lately it has been going downhill. Lots of dieback and limited blooms. In fact, this is the first bloom I've seen this year
And last but not least, the dependable "Nikko Blue" with a spider friend. This is the most common hydrangeas available in nuseries. Here is a new bloom -
And here is a faded one-
Comments
I'm just starting out on the Hydrangea bug. I bought only yesterday quercifolia 'Alice'.
Your beautiful photos serve only to spur me on.
Rob
They really are beautiful. I was wondering what you've been up to, now I see. :-) Everything looks great.
Marnie
Granna, maybe we should do a rain dance - reckon that would help?
Rob, I don't have "Alice" but I hear it is a nice one.
Les, I don't think there is help for your condition. I do urge you to visit Wilkerson Mill Gardens, it is gorgeous there!
Marnie, hydrangeas sure don't like dry weather. Rain is needed badly!
Donna
I just answered your question on my blog:
I'm currently using a Nikon D300, but it's really the lenses that are the star in most of these photos! I shoot all my macros with the Nikkor 105mm micro. If you can't splurge on the D300, try the D40x, D80, D90 or even the new 5000 model---they're great bodies and much cheaper---but get the best lenses you can afford. I could have gotten this shot with a cheaper body and the same lens. Up until two years ago, before I got my D300, I was shooting with the Fuji S2 and S3 (which are Fuji chips in a Nikon body, actually). I moved up again to the D300 and haven't looked back. I love, love, LOVE this camera!
I'm with Les, I'm a hydrangeaholic too, and love, love Wilkerson Mills - it's where I ordered my snowflake.
Have you tried any of the Teller Blue series - the lacecaps, like Blaumeise? I keep wanting to find more information about them, but it seems to be scarce (or I'm just looking in the wrong places).