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Arbutus Gardens

As we were touring Renee Moog's garden, another visitor told me that I should go to Arbutus Garden Arts, which was just down the road. I had no idea we were close but it was a garden I was familiar with and always wanted to visit. A pleasant surprise! Norm Jacobs is the owner, and he showed us around and answered questions. The garden is also a nursery and he propagates the plants. However, he says that he is in the process of retiring. My friend Linda bought an absolutely stunning weeping snowbell tree. I managed to discipline myself and only left with a groundcover, Erigeron pulchellus 'Meadow Muffin'. The garden is stunning with winding pathways surrounded by packed borders of mostly conifers and Japanese maples. I was enamored by the most beautiful specimen of Sourwood Tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum ). I have one that seems to be stunted, but Mr. Jacobs told me that they need space for their root zone and do not like competition. This could be my problem, as mine is surrou...

Hydrangea "Angel's Lace"



Another new line of hydrangeas is the "Halo" series. They were originally bred in Japan in the early 90s by Hiroshi Ebihara and later marketed in Europe as the "Frau" series. Now they are available here in the U.S. with names like "Angel Eyes" and "Angel Smile". We have "Angel's Lace" and it is quickly becoming one of our favorites.

Described as the first picoteed lacecap in the world (that is when the flower color has one basic color with a margin of another color), it is bred to be compact with sturdier limbs and larger flowers. It is marketed as being suitable for containers. It can grow to be 4 to 5 feet so it is certainly fine in the ground, as ours is. It is very hardy (to zone 6). So far, this has been a spectacular addition to the garden and one that I would highly recommend.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. That bloom is unusual with the white edge around the bloom.

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  2. does it have any fall color in the leaves?

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  3. The white edge is awesome, and really makes the bloom pop

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  4. It's beautiful. I adore hydrangeas and it's great to learn about these.

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  5. Absolutely beautiful. What I wouldn't give to be able to grow lacecaps.
    Marnie

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  6. Hot pink--love the 'halo' on the edges, too!

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  7. Absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see it in person.

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  8. I love picoteed flowers. That lacecap is so pretty!

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  9. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite shrubs, mostly because of the gorgeous blooms. So it's nice to see a completely different look in a lacecap - that white edge sets off the bold pink beautifully. I bet it stands out in the garden like no other! Yet another plant I'll have to track down and add to the garden....

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  10. Phillip I have heard of this series but never saw them. Stunning!! Keep those hydrangea shots coming.
    Sandra

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  11. Beautiful! This is one i would like to add to my own garden. it is quite interesting.

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  12. And what about powdery mildew on the foliage. Many of these have major problems with this leaf problem.

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  13. Awesome! But of course........only zone 6. I'm barely a 5......

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  14. Phillip, You are surely increasing the sale of hydrangeas everywhere! This one is stellar! gail

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  15. Nice...I haven't seen that variety before.

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  16. The comments say it all. Beautiful shrub.

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  17. Absolutely beautiful!!! Love the white outlines around the petals.
    Marnie

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  18. Okay Phillip, how long do we have to wait for more hydrangeas?

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  19. Whoa! I never knew Hydrangeas come in so many colors! I learnt a lot about them from your posts on Hydrangeas. Thank you :)

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