Skip to main content

Featured

Planting Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)

I don't believe I have ever grown autumn crocus ( colchicum - I love to say that word) -  although we did inherit one when we moved into this house. I moved it, and apparently it did not like that because I never saw it again. I have always wanted to grow it, but I always think about it at the wrong time of year. Plus, I never see it at nurseries (not even at Yard N' Garden Land). When a friend offered me some, I said YES. She gave me one special one called "Waterlily" and several that I guess we would call the  "average one".  'Waterlily' The question then was where on earth would I would plant them. I read that they are nice in grassy areas so I then decided to plant them along the grassy pathway in front. (This pathway is about to become a gravel pathway as I am refusing to water it daily. Michael wins this battle and gets to do the "told you so" dance .) I decided to tuck the primo one at the corner of the path next to this pot. Diggin...
8 comments
Read more
Labels

Hydrangea "Twist and Shout"



The hydrangeas are beautiful this year and I've been photographing them this week. Instead of posting one long post with a million photos, I thought I would feature one hydrangea at a time. Since we have around 40, this might take a while but I doubt that I will get all of them on here.

First up is a new hydrangea that was just planted last year. It is touted as the first lacecap hydrangea that reblooms all summer long. The first hydrangea of this type was "Endless Summer" which I almost shovel-pruned because of lackluster performance. However, in its third year, it really took off and bloomed its head off. This year is no exception. Therefore, I was surprised when its cousin, "Twist and Shout", started blooming like mad in the second year.

Developed by Michael Dirr, "T&S" has impressive parentage ("Lady in Red" & "Penny Mac") which gives it a strong hardiness factor (zone 4) as well as lots of blooms. The "Lady in Red" characteristics can also be seen in the leaves - red stems and red leaf color in the fall. Flower color depends on your soil type - alkaline soils give you pink flowers and more acid soils display periwinkle blue blooms. As you can see, our soil tends to be more acid.

Stay tuned for more hydrangeas!




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

  1. BoJune 1, 2010 at 11:07 PM

    I love hydrangeas...Great photo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Monica the Garden FaerieJune 2, 2010 at 4:02 AM

    Ooh, the hydrangea is indeed wonderful, but it's that gorgeous pot that really stand out for me. I didn't realize it was red on the bottom. Cool!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DarlaJune 2, 2010 at 4:02 AM

    I know you can change the color of the Mopheads and I know it's almost impossible to change the color of a white one, didn't know about changing the color of a Lacecap..Mine are doing fab this year as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LesJune 2, 2010 at 4:10 AM

    Every Twist-n-Shout that I have seen tends to be a little on the gangly side, not that I mind that.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lisa at GreenbowJune 2, 2010 at 4:18 AM

    This must be the year for hydrangeas. My hydrangeas have the most blooms ever. I attribute this to no late frost. Wow, 40 different types of hydrangea?? Is that what you meant?? You will have blog fodder for some time. That is good. I am ready to read about them. I only have 5 different types of hydrangeas. I will look foward to seeing each of yours.

    ReplyDelete
  6. F CameronJune 2, 2010 at 4:39 AM

    That's a really pretty hydrangea! A great vignette with the pottery.

    I had to leave all of my hydrangeas at a former home. I tucked one away here, but it didn't bloom. So, I moved it up to the fragrance garden next to the house this spring...it has bloomed the first time and the deer haven't found it (so far)

    ReplyDelete
  7. How It GrowsJune 2, 2010 at 4:54 AM

    Good thing you didn't give up on the Endless Summer.

    ReplyDelete
  8. IlonaGardenJune 2, 2010 at 5:33 AM

    *That* is why someone should grow hydrangeas! And your choice of an urn really makes the picture... you are an artist.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dave@TheHomeGardenJune 2, 2010 at 6:30 AM

    Very cool! I have Lady in Red. This might be another good one to add to the garden.

    ReplyDelete
  10. GrannaJune 2, 2010 at 6:37 AM

    It's beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of your hydrangeas.

    ReplyDelete
  11. sweetbayJune 2, 2010 at 11:52 AM

    Beautiful delicate blue color on those hydrangea flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogJune 2, 2010 at 12:00 PM

    Phillip, it looks so much like 'Lady in Red' that I'm wondering what is different. Bigger blooms maybe? I would love to have that blue look but that would take too much work on my part. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Chicken BoysJune 2, 2010 at 12:21 PM

    Genrally I think Hydrangeas are ugly. My neighbor has one planted at the start of his drive, and it looks awful. Your's doesn't look too bad. It's not a snow ball hydrangea. I love that vase, though!!
    ~Randy

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJune 2, 2010 at 5:12 PM

    Stunning urn!! Beautiful photo. 40 different hydrangeas...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mr. McGregor's DaughterJune 2, 2010 at 6:15 PM

    What a coincidence, I just posted a photo of my Twist-n-Shout today too. (It hasn't started blooming yet.) Of course when mine blooms, it's much, much pinker than that. I have acid soil envy.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jean CampbellJune 2, 2010 at 6:23 PM

    Lacecaps invite closer inspection. I look forward to seeing the rest of your collection.

    ReplyDelete
  17. GailJune 2, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    Phillip, I was just looking at this beauty this afternoon....It was sitting next to a white mophead and put it to shame! Love it and your plan to share one at a time! gail

    ReplyDelete
  18. ThomasJune 2, 2010 at 8:15 PM

    Oh wow. Great pics! I love see blues in the garden.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern GardeningJanuary 22, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Nice hydrangea. The varieties in the Endless Summer Collection are a great addition to the landscape.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment