Rain, rain, rain and hydrangeas. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . but not all is bad!

This week's stormy weather has been bad - the humidity

has just about done us in. It remains hot here. 

Garden chores have been put on hold as everything is totally sodden.

More storms later today but the forecast shows some sun

tomorrow then more storms Saturday.

Next week may be close to perfect, so I'm

watching and waiting, and of course enjoying the 

floral offerings made possible by the rains of May. 

 Blooms today on the shrub in the side garden by the birdhouse.

Summer 2016

I will have very few flowers on these two Nikko Blue hydrangeas in front of 

the porch this summer - they were cut down to the ground when the cottage was

re-sided and painted last fall. Next year hopefully they'll be blooming as they 

always have. . . . . they've put on good healthy growth over the past month with
 so much rain as you can see below.

Are you growing hydrangeas?
They can certainly be showstoppers in a garden.
Moisture, via rain or hand watering, is important - they are thirsty shrubs 
and prefer part-shade, although I must admit most of my plants are in full sun.
By afternoon on hot days the leaves curl and they look a bit downtrodden,
 but by early evening they stand to attention again!
They are my favorite shrub and I love to gather the blooms in autumn 
for drying and using in the cottage.

As we move into June our gardens should be lovely.
Here's to a wonderful weekend dear readers.