Thought today I'd take a little hot weather break from the safari posts - there will be many more which I hope you'll enjoy - and share garden happenings at the cottage.
My wonderful neighbors worked diligently to get water to the plants while we were away, I so appreciated their efforts - thank you Lori and April. Still the temperatures climbed, the rain didn't come, and many shrubs and flowers suffered stress from the unrelenting heatwave which continues as I write.
Arriving home on the hottest day of the year - 106F - I found my beautiful blue hydrangeas fried to a brown crisp! Today, following constant 100 degree plus days, with little rain and scorching afternoon sun, there is still a ray of hope........see the new blue bloom out there this morning!
"Heavens to Betsy" as they say here in the South. "I do declare, there is hope for the future after all".
I'm unable to rescue the blooms already crinkled and brown, but decided to quickly cut off some hidden in the foliage which were still showing colors of green and mauve - these always seems to to dry perfectly for the Winter indoor displays I love.
I always strip the leaves, stand the stems in a little water for a few days, then allow them to dry out naturally. I'm hoping these dry well and keep the soft and subtle shades which are so pretty.
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