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Hidcote - pt. 1

I'm just now getting around to organizing the photos from my trip to England back in May. As I've said a million times, this was the trip of a lifetime, and I had an incredible time. This was a 3-week trip organized by the HPSO (Hardy Plant Society of Oregon) during which we visited 35 different locations. Most all of these were gardens but there were also a few castles and villages thrown in, as well as the icing on the trip - the Chelsea Flower Show. This tour focused on the southeast region of England, notably the Cotswolds and Cornwall. I've watched so many programs and read so many books about England and the gardens there that I was afraid it would tarnish the image I had built up in my head. I'm pleased to say that it not disappoint. The trek from London to Bath by train was not the best first impression. However, as we gained distance from the city, the rolling green countryside gave me glimpses of things to come. After arriving in Bath and finding my hotel, I m...
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Hydrangea "Amethyst"



Here is another hydrangea that would be on my top 10 list. It is a compact grower, no taller than 3 feet and wide, with large, tight blooms. Most books say that the flower color is pale pink to violet but in our garden, it is a bright robin's egg blue. It is in a bed lined with bricks and sided by concrete steps. I don't know if that affects the bloom color but I suspect it does. The flowers have white centers in the early stag of blooming and the sepals are serrated.









Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Becca's DirtJune 17, 2010 at 9:51 AM

    That is a beautiful hydrangea. I love the deep blue.

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  2. Roses and LilacsJune 17, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    The color is beautiful. Nice, big blooms on a relatively compact plant.
    Marnie

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  3. DarlaJune 17, 2010 at 10:46 AM

    Very nice specimen. I know that aluminum is necessary in the soil to produce blue pigment.

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  4. AaerelonJune 17, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    I really like these blue hydrangea. I did however see a really tacky display of them which left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm trying to get over it, but it's going to take some time.

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowJune 17, 2010 at 11:03 AM

    What a sweet plant. It looks like a baby Niko blue.

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  6. LonaJune 17, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    It is a beauty dress in its blue. The compact shrub makes it very appealing for small gardens.

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  7. F CameronJune 17, 2010 at 12:10 PM

    You are torturing me with these gorgeous hydrangea blooms and vignettes! :-)

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  8. Dave@TheHomeGardenJune 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM

    Very nice! I sure with I had more shady spaces for hydrangeas like that. Of course then I'd be providing a deer buffet...

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  9. Mr. McGregor's DaughterJune 17, 2010 at 2:38 PM

    You sure have the touch with the Hydrangeas. The frilly petals are so pretty.

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  10. SheilaJune 17, 2010 at 4:26 PM

    The concrete steps would add alkalinity to the soil which would turn the blooms pink. That is our problem in So. Cal. with highly alkaline water, we can't get those beautiful blue bloom like you do. It is lovely!

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  11. debsgardenJune 17, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    Your hydrangea looks perfect by the steps and birdbath. I like hydrangeas planted along a path, so I can enjoy the blossoms close-up as I walk past. I am planning to add more hydrangeas to a path which already has several varieties. I will keep this one in mind!

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