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. 
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I’d love to have hydrangeas – I think I’ll do this next year. Your’s are beautiful! Thank you for your sweet comments, too. 🙂
That blue hydrangea is absolutely gorgeous!
Oh Rhoda so pretty I especially love that flower.
Kathy 🙂
I am drooling over your hydrangeas. Thank you for posting your pictures of them. However, I am so envious too! I have seven hydrangeas in the back yard and granted, they haven’t been there long, but mine peaked in early summer here in Texas. I thought we were watering them plenty, but I guess the heat was too much for them even though they are mostly in a shady area. Maybe next year mine will do better since they are all still fairly young plants.
I wish my hydrangeas looked like yours! Mine are half dead. They bloomed early in the summer and were quite pretty and then the Texas heat came and…pretty much just melted them and then fall comes and they start all over…they start to produce some blooms and really perk up only to have 30 degree temperatures come and freeze them until the spring thaw. I will enjoy looking at yours.
Wow, those are beautiful! I want to plant hydrangea buses when I move soon. I love your blog!
Miss Janice
As soon as we bought the shore house I planted a hydrangea bush. I LOVE them! Unfortunately they do not have the instant gratification my sunflowers did…That sad little shrub is going to take forever to yield a beautiful bounty like yours! 🙂
I am glad to know how to properly do this….It has been hit and miss for me. We have had a frost so ours are all gone in Ar. Yours are still gorgeous. I don’t think there’s a prettier flower.
I just need some hydrangeas, I love them and am going to buy some to plant
Sarah
Every time I see hydrangeas I sure miss my old bush, it was HUGE and just beautiful! Can’t wait to see what you do with them!
Blessings,
Melissa
Wow, that Endless summer hydrangea is gorgeous! Thanks for the tips on how to use the dried ones…wish I had some in my yard to do that with…maybe one day.
Susan
Your hydrangeas are beautiful! I planted a few bushes this year and they didnt do too well. I moved them in late summer and I hope they make it. Now after taking a look at yours I really hope they come back~ I cant wait to see what you have planned for them~
I have the most beautiful hydrangeas ~ except this year they did not bloom at all. I’m sure, without knowing, and without admitting, hubby trimmed those bushes. If he trimmed the prior year’s wood they won’t bloom. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it 🙂
Yours are beautiful, however, just keep hubby away from them with the trimmers.
I always have next year.
Blessings,
Sher
I planted my first hydrangea last spring and can’t wait till it gets big enough to cut a bouquet!
Those are spectacular, Rhoda. I love hydrangeas, though I’ve never lived in a climate suitable for them.
Hi Rhoda! Hydrangeas are just my favorite flower. I’ve planted a few bushes in my back yard before, but they don’t make it. I guess they just don’t do well here in our climate. But I can make myself pretty happy by going to the grocery store and buying a few!!
Thanks for sharing these beauties.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
For some reason my hydrangeas didn’t do as well this year?? Bummer.
Hugs!
Kat
Those are so pretty. I want a bush in my yard, but I don’t know if they’ll do so well in our Rocky Mountain/desert land out here.
Wonderful idea. I have a question? If you cut off the blooms, does that reduce the number of blooms next year? I have always wanted to put them in my Christmas tree.
You are one of my favorite places to visit every day.
Those are gorgeous! My Endless Summer hydrangea is still blooming too and so are my impatiens! I’m going to hate to see them go! I’ll replace the impatiens with pansies when they do.