What! A Sidewalk Garden? : Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are one of my spouse's favorite flowers. Several years back I began purchasing small potted Hydrangeas at Easter from Produce Junction. They were some of the first shrubs to become part of our sidewalk garden. The initial few were in pots along our steps. We added a few in pots in our side yard- elevating them in pots means the dogs have to run around them, rather than through them, and they have survived and flourished.

Front steps.

We get flowers starting in late May, first our pink "Mophead" (macrophilla) at the top of the steps in the most protected location, followed quickly by the many varieties of "Lacecaps" (macrophilla normalis") we now have. About ten years ago we bought an Oakleaf Hydrangea (quercifolia) at a sale at Bartram's Garden. Oakleafs are one of the few native hydrangeas, and I like to think of the heritage of our plant (ands a number of others I see around our neighborhood) and the connection these plants have with one of the first botanists in North America whose garden was started in 1728.

Our Oakleaf provides interest over a major part of the year. The flowers hold on a long time, the leaves turn rust and red when the weather turns in the fall, and the bark has an interesting "shaggy" appearance that can be especially appealing in the snow. Our plant has been growing in a 4 gallon container with the bottom removed since we first brought it home. It seems to have settled well. The ground beneath the pot was sandy fill and loose bricks from a 1920's construction which added a stack of rooms to our house. The soil is quick draining helping to avoid root rot, which oakleafs frequently suffer. This plant is against an east facing wall, and protected on both north and south sides by buildings. There are two large plants in a neighbors yard exposed in all directions, and they are none the worse for it.

Later in July, our H.paniculata "Limelight" comes into bloom. I like this plant because the flowers hold their color, unlike some of the earlier plants which start to dry at the edges and can look a little ratty up close. A neighbor has a plant with huge lime green blooms which open in late July/August, of which I have tried to start cuttings. (He was trimming it, but I believe the branches had already started to dry out) I will ask again to take a few pieces and immediately set them up. For a great source of info on Hydrangeas including propagation, please see Judith King's website, Hydrageas! Hydrangeas!

Front Roof-Climbing Hydrangea

As I was searching my photo files, I realize I neglected to mention one other Hydrangea we grow- H. anomala petiolaris, the climbing Hydrangea. We have one in the Front Roof Garden, in a protected corner. It's now about 10 years old, and has bloomed regularly and profusely for about 5 years. Be patient with this vine and you will be rewarded richly.

We also picked up a couple of re-blooming Hydrangeas a month ago on the "Hospital Rack" (they call it the 'Clearance' rack) at Lowes. They are labeled 'Forever and Ever' one is Pepermint and the other a Yellow. The former already has two blooms. For an interesting discussion on these re-blooming hydrangeas which bloom on both old and new wood, check this thread on GardenWeb.