Hydrangeas in Bloom
These beautiful big-leaf hydrangeas are currently adding such color in a front border. The shrubs have matured to a nice size and are covered in pretty blue and purple flowers. I didn’t save the plant tags so I’m not positive the variety, but think these belong to the Proven Winners Endless Summer collection.
These beauties were added to the border after encroaching shade and hungry critters started giving the previously planted geraniums, roses and bee balm more challenges than they could withstand. I thought blooming shrubs would be a better option. For companions, I’ve tried colorful annuals, yellow daylilies, and even reintroduced some pink Carefree roses. The lilies are doing fine, but the annuals and roses are still mostly rabbit food. I’m adding some low fencing and pruned some adjacent trees so maybe this front bed will be back to its original glory someday. In the meantime, these summer blooming shrubs will have to do.
But these hydrangeas shouldn’t only be admired from afar. Up close, you can see the truly unique and intricate their blossoms. The outer flowers with their showier petals surround hundreds of tiny center flowers. The multitude and multicolor of the center flowers (some still in bud in photo below) are gorgeous.
Center flowers in bud and bloom
The front border with hydrangeas flanked by daylilies, carex and ferns.
Colorful Monarda “Raspberry Wine” that once grew where the hydrangeas are now
I do miss the color and variety of the previous mixed border, but am happy to have found one option that has added lasting beauty to the front garden.