Hydrangea macrophylla (common names: Hortensia)

Just watched Gardener's World (all about colour). I think the yellow looks great here!

Votre lavande est trés jolie n'est pas?

Beautiful clours on this hydrangea, perfect name.

what lovely delicate colours!

That's what I love best about hydrangea, those subtle color changes. I know some people prefer them to be just pure blue (and feed them a lot of aluminum sulfate), but I like seeing the transitional colors.

Yes, I agree Rain4nights, I'm not that struck on the bright pink mop heads or the brilliant blues, like you I think the beauty is in the delicate mixture of shades. I have a petiolaris growing up my wall and even though it'll be white, can't wait to see it next year.

I've been tempted to buy this lovely hydrangea, does it really produce new blooms all season long like they claim ? Is your soil alkaline or do you add lime to your soil around your hydrangeas, I'm wondering if they are pink regardeless of soil PH. I'm afraid they would be blue in my yard, being my soil is so acidic, and I have too many blue ones aleady.

I bought this hydrangea in 2005, and this is the first year it's bloomed continually thru the summer. I have in my notes flower heads started opening around June 21, and I've had flowers since, but we've been in a dry spell now for about a month, so the flowers aren't looking too good. If I deadhead and we get some good rain showers, it may continue (hopefully!). I guess my soil is alkaline 'cause my blooms are always pink. We have sandy soil and I did add some shreaded leaves to the soil, but more compost from my compost pile when I planted. I've never added lime. Maybe I should - I would prefer blue blooms, but I'm just glad they're blooming. My other hydrangea macrophylla plants have never bloomed in all the years I've had them.

also, the little red flower... i forgot what they are called, scabasia or something, pin cushion... what is it...?

seeedssss....

Hi Michelle, it's called Knautia. Cute little flower. They're good cut too, in arrangements.

For goodness sake Janey, you mean that is all one plant? How beautiful!

Oh so beautiful Janey! Are these hydrangeas recent purchases?

Hi Gloria, yes, bought them yesterday at our garden centre with Mum. Mum's is a lovely deep pink one, which she wants to plant in the same border as one she's had a few years which has every shade under the sun!

Yes and only one of the flowers, they're really heavy, but amazing! The centre of the white flower is the tiny blue one!

beautiful colour janey

They are gorgeous aren,t they , and they flower for so long to .!

Janey I had a pink one as a gift recently and have been told that to make it blue I should use copper sulphate on it , so maybe you have to do the same to keep it blue . !

Thanks Amy, I'll see what colour it turns out to be next year. They have such lovely shades in them don't they?

I have looked through many of your photos so far and I have not seen one that didn't impress me. Your photography work is outstanding.

Awwww..........well thank you Skippy! Thats a lovely comment, Ian was drying his hands when I shouted him to come and read, and wrapped it round my head to stop it expanding!!! lol. Looking forward to seeing more of your pics.

Great colour.

Unusual angle on these
Good photo.
Beautiful shades of blue and purple.

Gorgeous, one of my fave plants.

Some of my favorite colors. All the colors just fit together.

Fabulous Fdm, I didn't, and mine are turning pinkish!! :o)