Garden Plot: Hydrangeas sport plentiful summer blooms

The name of this cultivar is a mystery to me, but I first saw it in England. If anyone knows the name, kindly email me and clue me in. (Diane Lynch / For The Ark)

Hydrangeas are one of the most luscious flowering plants you can grow. They set blooms in late spring, and summer is their heyday. As the blooms open, there will be a huge mound of bright green foliage dotted with gigantic flowers. At peak bloom, a single flower can make a bouquet by itself.

Hydrangeas like shade as a rule, but in our cool climate can tolerate a little sun, though midday sun can scorch the leaves. I was talking to a rose grower in Sonoma who also grew hydrangeas for sale. He told me that hydrangeas like shade but also want to see the sky. I have one in my lower garden that’s under a plum tree, and it blooms very late because it cannot see the sky.

If you want to dry them for extended enjoyment, now through late summer is the time to do so. You want to dry them when in full bloom and not yet faded. You can hang them upside down in a closet or shady place outdoors to dry. Or simply letting the water evaporate from a vase will often result in a nicely dried specimen.

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