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Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
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More You-Know-What

So is anyone getting tired of hydrangeas? If you are, just skip this post. Here we go with several more varieties without a lot of commentary. Hopefully the photos will speak for themselves!
This is the new "pink Annabelle" called "Invinsibelle Spirit". I'm not crazy about the name but the thought of an Annabelle with color excites me. I didn't expect to see it in nurseries this year but lo and behold, they had it at Porter's Nursery in Muscle Shoals ($30 in a 3 gallon pot, ouch)!


And speaking of Annabelle, the original.

"Ayesha", one of the most unique hydrangeas I've ever seen. It has really taken off this year (its third year in the garden) and is loaded with blooms. It has been a shy bloomer in the past.
"Charm" sports huge blooms.

"Merritt's Supreme", a tried and true variety and heavy bloomer. The blooms were so heavy that they were flopping to the ground. I have attempted to stake them.

"Penny Mac", named after hydrangea doyenne Penny McHenry of Atlanta, Ga., it was discovered in her garden.

"Tokyo Delight", an elegant lace-cap.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. BenJune 18, 2010 at 8:19 AM

    How could anyone get tired of hydrangeas ? Very nice ones you have to!

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  2. GrannaJune 18, 2010 at 8:39 AM

    I never tire of seeing your hydrangeas! They are beautiful.

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  3. DarlaJune 18, 2010 at 8:44 AM

    My question exactly Ben. These are so beautiful...I must expand my hydrangeas..

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  4. Roses and LilacsJune 18, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Annabelle is my favorite. Don't know if it's because it is the most reliable here or because I just love those huge white blooms. Both I guess. Invinsibelle Spirit is something I will definitely look for. That one would show up against the white house.
    Marnie

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  5. AlainaJune 18, 2010 at 9:14 AM

    I wish hydrangeas did well down here in Louisiana.. it just gets too hot (even in the shade)! You're very spoiled and I definitely don't get tired of your hydrangeas. Absolutely beautiful!!

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  6. CarolJune 18, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    Hi Phillip, I knew how to fill in your title... quite hydrated now! ;>)) Lovely all! How can one ever have too many.

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  7. NicJune 18, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    Beautiful! I just planted an 'Invinsibelle Spirit' in the garden of a lady I work for who loves hydrangeas. Bigleaf hydrangeas are not terribly reliable here in Michigan and most people have to make do with the Annabelles so I was quite excited when I found out about this new color option.

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  8. meemsnycJune 18, 2010 at 3:23 PM

    Wow, your hydrangea look amazing! I've tried to grow hydrangea twice and it just shriveled up into a stick, losing all it's leaves and eventually died. What's your secret? Do they like sun, hate sun, like more shade ?

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  9. RandyJune 18, 2010 at 6:18 PM

    Oh I'll be so glad when we get some shade!-- Randy

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  10. CrystalJune 18, 2010 at 8:08 PM

    You have inspired me to add some Hydrangeas to my front entry garden! Gorgeous garden you have, pretty flowers and the photos look like something out of a magazine.

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  11. Lisa at GreenbowJune 19, 2010 at 4:23 AM

    Nope, I'm not tired of you-know-what. That first one is a keeper. I haven't seen it around here.

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  12. AnonymousJune 19, 2010 at 8:25 PM

    Phillip, one can never tire of such a wonderful shrub. These blooms will last all summer. You do grow the best of the best!

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  13. Dirt PrincessJune 20, 2010 at 1:22 AM

    Gorgeous!!!!!

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  14. DJune 20, 2010 at 7:45 AM

    We love Hydrangeas, but only have one H. macrophylla due to our limited shade, however increasing as the trees grow, as is our water.

    Beautiful specimens Phillip.

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  15. Dee @ Red Dirt RamblingsJune 20, 2010 at 2:09 PM

    I could never tire of your hydrangea photos. I've got two very small Invicibelle Spirits, and I don't like the name either. Kind of dorky, but I know it is for breast cancer research.

    My Annabelles are doing really well.~~Dee

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  16. Tatyana@MySecretGardenJune 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    Phillip, I love all of them. Great pictures.I think I need Annabelle in my garden! I am wondering if it changes its color a bit in different soils?

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  17. WayneJune 21, 2010 at 3:06 PM

    How could I possibly get tired of seeing your yard!

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  18. debsgardenJune 22, 2010 at 5:20 PM

    Gorgeous, gorgeous! Now I want the pink Annabelle! But will it bloom pink in my acid soil, or will it turn blue? I really want some hydrangeas that will be pink, and I don't want to doctor the soil.

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  19. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)June 22, 2010 at 11:51 PM

    "Ayesha" and 'Tokyo Delight' get my vote.

    Love 'em

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  20. KMGJune 23, 2010 at 12:25 PM

    These are so beautiful! I have been rooting cuttings this month of my friends beautiful ones. Of course, I'll have to find a good spot for them - 100 degrees in the shade here in summer. I'm moving the ones I have to deeper shade but They are Defiantly worth the trouble.

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  21. UnknownJune 27, 2010 at 5:13 PM

    Love your blog. I'm moving soon from Mobile to Conroe TX-north of Houston, going from full sun to full shade and look forward to planting many hydrangeas. Could you talk some on your blog how you keep the blues, blue and the pinks pink all in one garden bed? I bought a beautiful purple one at Lowe's last year, put it in a huge container with potting soil, and it bloomed pink! I started putting coffe ground mixed in and it is going back purple. Just wondered how to work it to have blues and pinks side by side. Also, did you finish the Master Gardeners class? It's something I want to do also. Thanks

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