Monday, September 19, 2011

Bathing Hydrangea


When I noticed that our bouquet of hydrangeas were looking a little thirsty, I thought I'd give them a nice relaxing bath. I did this last year with another bouquet (also a mop head variety) and it gave them a nice refreshing pick me up. 

They look relaxed, don't they? 

My passion for hydrangeas has led us to plant more than ten varieties so far. The bathing hydrangea above are the Endless Summer variety. 

The other mop heads I've planted are: 

Nikko Blue
All Summer Beauty
Incrediball
Penny Mac

In conical varieties, we've planted: 

Little Lamb
Mini Limelight
Limelight
Trepadora (climbing, although not climbing yet!)
Pee Gee
Pinky Winky 
Oakleaf
Bombshell 


Oops...  Who's this? 

xoxoxoxoxo

Monday, September 12, 2011

Plum Good


Remember her... She's a plum tree. 

This is her, standing quietly at the edge of our field near the garden. You can see her silhouette in the early evening sun. 

One wouldn't know she was there with the vegetation that has grown up around her. It was her blossoming spring branches that caught my eye. 


When Mike was out in the garden one evening, he noticed a plum. 


Although still small, it tasted warm and sweet. 

We waited several weeks for more to grow...

...and grow they did. 

In the end, there were a total of six plums hanging from her graceful but tired limbs. From what I've heard from local orchardists, plum trees are very particular about bearing fruit. They do not necessarily fruit annually as the conditions have to be just right. In our valley, wind, rain, and cold may affect cross-pollination. 

Our plan is to clear the brush out from around her so that her old branches and trunk get more sunshine. Then she can decide whether or not she'd like to bear fruit. 

She's beautiful just the same. 

Monday, September 5, 2011

Hydrangea and An Old Desk


I think this may be our last clipping of Endless Summer hydrangea blossoms for the summer. 


Last year, the blossoms were more pink as the plants were still adapting to the soil in their new home. 


I put the vase of hydrangea on top of an old desk in the corner of our living room. It's an old family piece that my dad grew up using as a child. It originally belonged to my Great Great Grandparents. 


I recently moved this marble lamp from my office upstairs. I don't use the office much these days as it's not conducive to the activity that occupies most of my days... playing on the floor with Graham and Margaret. 

I love that hydrangeas last so long after cutting. The last bouquet I made lasted several weeks. As long as you keep trimming their ends, they stay happy. 


I also made a small cutting of roses. 



This old clock was the first antique Mike and I bought together. 
Note to self: remember to wind the old clock. 


I love the fluted legs of the desk. 


I also like the shelf underneath. 

xo
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