For the last few weeks hydrangeas have been blooming in gardens all over the Dandenongs. The cooler climate suits them well. I must admit hydrangeas were never really a favourite of mine and like pelargoniums (more commonly known as a geranium) had that 'nanna plant' image. But looking beyond the reputation of being a little old fashioned these plants look terrific in their prime.
The ones in our garden looked rather sad during the drought years and were burnt to a crisp under the extreme heatwave conditions of February 2009. The plants responded well to some very hard pruning. Last year they came back strong and this year the leaves are lush the blooms large.
Hydrangeas come in whites, blues and pinks and colour is affected by the soil. Acidic soil produces blues, alkaline pink. It's possible to change the colours of the flowers - pink can be turned blue through the addition of aluminium sulfate to the soil. Blue can be turned to pink by adding garden lime. Personally, I'm more a fan of the blue flowers. If you'd like to learn more about hydrangeas follow this link to American hydrangea enthusiast Judith King's website.
It's been more than a year now since the Wikileeks blog commenced and I'd like to thank you for taking an interest, especially the Spain Garden Special, by far a huge hit if the page views are anything to go by! Stand by for some more garden specials in the New Year.
Blue hydrangea.
From the front, Apollo Improved, Grosse Lisse and Burke's Backyard tomato varieties.
Setting fruit on the Burke's Backyard tomatoes.
Left - San Marzano tomatoes.
Middle - bird's eye chilli, capsicum and basil.
Right at front - eggplant.
Cheers.
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