It’s Fall in Alabama and the hydrangeas are on their last leg. This is the Limelight bush after I cut them, but right now is a great time to go out and save some for drying before they completely dry up and wither for the winter. I clipped off the leaves, cutting the stems long enough to group together. I actually did this about 2 weeks ago in October.
I’ll stick them in this urn and leave them in the garage for awhile and then they will be ready for a pretty container inside. These have turned brown for lack of rain I think, but I like the brown and green combo, so it’s OK with me.
My other hydrangea, however is putting on a Fall show that’s pretty spectacular. Guess that’s why they call it Endless Summer!
It’s November, people and she’s still putting forth some beautiful buds.
And since we haven’t had a frost yet, the impatiens are still going too.
I managed to clip several stems off this one too for drying. I’ll show you what I end up doing with them when I get to that point too. If you happen to have some hydrangeas blooming (or know someone who does) get out there and harvest them before they are gone! They are so pretty to look at all year round when they’re dried.
My other hydrangea, however is putting on a Fall show that’s pretty spectacular. Guess that’s why they call it Endless Summer!
It’s November, people and she’s still putting forth some beautiful buds.
And since we haven’t had a frost yet, the impatiens are still going too.
I managed to clip several stems off this one too for drying. I’ll show you what I end up doing with them when I get to that point too. If you happen to have some hydrangeas blooming (or know someone who does) get out there and harvest them before they are gone! They are so pretty to look at all year round when they’re dried.
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Diane@A Picture is Worth.... says
I haven’t done this before…may have to try it this year. My mom has some beautiful ones!Just stick them in a planter in the garage???
Suzann @ Lavender and Roses says
I can’t wait to have my own hydrangeas. Perhaps next year.
Natalie says
Can’t wait to see what you do with them. I love that brown and green combo, too.
Mrs. Trixi says
Rhoda, they are beautiful. I will have to remember that endless summer. It is spectacular.
Darlene - Our Creative Life says
Those are stunning! I need to plant a hydrangea bush. I have the queen’s lace variety…but I like the kind you have better! Do you ever put your dried hydrangeas into your Christmas tree?
mrsjones6 says
Wow! Your Hydrangeas are still stunning. These have to be my favorite flower and unfortunately they just don’t grow here (they don’t like the ground). Drying them out is a fabulous idea. They’ll look great.
I hope that you are having a wonderful week,
Jen
the pleasures of homemaking says
So pretty! Hydrangeas are my favorite! My Endless Summer have small flowers on them, yours are so much bigger. I just cute my hydrangeas and let them dry where ever I put them (like the ones on top of my china cabinet). I don’t usually do the hang upside down thing.
Manuela
Katie says
Are you not IN LOVE with your limelight hydrangeas? I bought two last year, and they have been total performers! I can’t wait to make “babies” from mine!
Bo says
Hi Ms. Rhoda..Hydrangeas & geraniums are my fav outdoor flowers. We have an Endless Summer & a reg. Hydrangea and neither of them did as well as we had hoped this year…too HOT, I think. 😉 BO
The Quintessential Magpie (Sheila) says
These are one of my favorite flowers. Love them. I have some that I dried (years and years ago) that are from my hubby’s grandmother’s yard. I keep them in a china cabinet because she gave them to us before she died so they’re sentimental. They are still a deep blue.
Yours have wonderful color, too, Rhoda. Are you going to use some in your new blue room? They’d look great in there. I saw some in Edgartown (Martha’s Vineyard) several years ago that were the deepest shade of blue I’ve ever seen… must be the soil difference. I wish I had pictures to share, but my sweet husband took pictures of boats, lighthouses, and my cousin’s house instead. We got home, and I said, “Let’s see all the gardens,” and he replied, “Well, I didn’t take any in MV.” He had gone out one morning and shot photos. They were good, just not floral.
Next time, I’ll hang onto the camera! 😉
Sheila
Vintage Whimsy says
Hydrangeas are my absolute favorite flower! I can remember my Granny having huge hydrangea bushes out beside her house while I was growing up. And a little less than a year after she passed away, I got married and hydrangeas were my flower of choice, not only because they are my favorite, but in remembrance of my sweet Grandma.
Every house my husband and I have lived in has had a hydrangea bush already planted in the yard before we even moved in and I take it as a sign that my Granny is there with me too. I know that may seem silly, but it helps to keep her memory alive.
Katie says
Hehe! No, my trees are decorated for fall. I had Halloween stuff on them, too. After Thanksgiving, they will get the Christmas treatment! :o)
Me says
my very most favorite flower!
Karen @ Arise and Shine says
Beautiful flowers, one of my favorite.
Thanks for reminding us how to harvest them.
Blessings-
Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio says
Those are just beautiful!
salmagundi says
How beautiful!! I’m envious. Sally
blessed mama says
Hydrangeas & peonies are my absolute favorite flowers! They are so feminine & full! I love dried hydrangeas. The dried ones have even more amazing colors and last a long time. Wish I had a green thumb but mine is black!
Lisa says
So glad to see you are enjoying your Endless Summer!!! It is a beauty. I just had leave you a comment, since I work for Bailey Nurseries in MN…and we created this plant. I personally know the man who found it in his backyard. Just a part-time employee with a huge garden at home…who woulda thought! Anyway, happy fall!
Lisa
carolyn at cranberry crossings: says
Oh, I LOVE hydrangeas! I have not been able to grow them on our property, but my Mama sure could. Our neighbors have beautiful ones too. But my roses always bloom again in November.
We have had frost 4 times already! I am further south than you, so it surprised me to read that y'all haven't had any yet!
But the past few days have been veyr warm again. It's always up & down in AL. I'm ready for the coolness to stay!
Have a great day!
Sue says
I can’t believe how beautiful your “endless summer” is right now. Thanks for sharing!