Looks like you love hydrangeas as much as I do! They really are perfect for a cottage garden. Frankly, they’re perfect anywhere. I have two hydrangea bushes in my gardens, not counting the new one. One is an Annabelle hydrangea and it has been a gorgeous workhorse in the garden for several years now. It blooms on old wood, so I really don’t have to do anything from year to year. It is in the garden bed that borders the far side of the porch.
The other one is a limelight hydrangea that I planted about two years ago. It’s in the same garden bed as my boxwoods. Such a lovely hydrangea it is! At the end of the season the blossoms turn a deep pink. I try to cut them at the moment when the pink is the most intense. I don’t have to prune it, which I love.
Both of them made it through the horrible winter beautifully and I’m so grateful for that.
And now I have my newest hydrangea! Bring ’em on! If I had the room, I’d have even more.
Speaking of winter and plants, I had to spend several hours yesterday cutting back dead and damaged canes from my rose bushes. They didn’t fare quite as well from the winter as the hydrangeas did. There is lots of new growth on all four bushes, but there was definitely damage done. Between the rose bushes and the brambles, my hands have been repeatedly pricked by thorns. Enough, already.
Thought you might want to see one of the paths in our woods. They’re getting overgrown due to all the rain, so we’re going to have to mow them very soon. Huge areas of the woods are covered in vinca right now, so there are lots of beautiful purple blooms everywhere.
You might have noticed a bench like this one in the photo of the path. For some reason unbeknownst to us, one of the previous owners of this property left behind a lot of cinder blocks. We find them everywhere, but there is one area in the woods where there are masses of them.
A cinder block Stonehenge.
We decided to recycle some of them by using the blocks to make some benches. There are three benches along the paths, in little clearings where we can stop, sit and listen to the sound of the birds all around us. Don suggested painting them, but I really want the benches to be a part of the landscape, as if they’ve always been there.
This old street sign sits in between the branches of a tree. That sign came from our old neighborhood in San Diego; in fact, we lived on that corner and when the signs were being replaced, we somehow ended up with this one. It’s a wonderful souvenir of our first home together, a place we lived in for six years.
My favorite little area in the woods is a little clearing we have named Catalpa Grove, for the three catalpa trees that encircle the clearing. As catalpas are always the last trees to leaf out, I’ll wait until that happens before I take a picture. It’s the place I seem to gravitate to; canopied by big old catalpas, with a cinder block bench on which to sit and think and meditate. I spent some time there the day my mother died.
I’ve started adding things to my galvanized planter, which lives on the Funky Patio.
And I must show you one more picture of the lilacs, which I know will be gone all too soon. They are really lovely this year due, I’m sure, to the cold, cold temperatures we had this winter. Lilacs like that sort of thing.
Oh my heavens, the scent of these beauties makes my head spin!
I see a bud developing on the poppy, some of the ground cover in the garden is flowering, the peonies shoots are getting taller, the wild honeysuckle is in full bloom – every day holds a new discovery.
A hike in on our agenda today. Since the rest of the week might be rainy, we’re going to take advantage of this beautiful weather.
(If you see a little ad nestled between lines of text for this post or any other post, I’m testing an ad for BlogHer – just to let you know!)
Happy Tuesday.
I do love hydrangeas too. I am especially interested in the Limelight Hydrangea you mentioned. I have a back corner in my yard, full to partial sun, and I need something there that I don’t have to prune. I assume I should plant this in the fall?
I’m pretty sure I planted mine in the spring, Debra. And it’s done very well.
Then I may go looking for one this weekend! Thanks for the tip.
You’re welcome!
Claudia, I love you Stonehenge benches. Some place to sit and listen to birds. Things are blooming nicely there. Hope you and Don are getting to take some nice walks. Blessings to you. xoxo,Susie
I love those benches! They are just funky enough to fit in with the vibe here at the cottage!
I love to be out in the woods. My cousin and I used to spend summers making pathways through the woods at my Grandmother’s house in North Alabama. There was a cold creek to play in, and cool shade overhead. I wish I could go there again.
It’s sort of like being a kid again, Leslie Anne!
Lilacs are my favorite, I miss them.
Hugs,
Mere
I wish they lasted longer, but I sure appreciate them while they’re here.
Beautiful photos, Claudia…it is so lovely there! My husband was cleaning up my big perennial garden and cut back my Annabelles…no blooms for me this year. But I did buy a new variety this year, so at least I’ll have those. I can hardly wait for the lilacs here. I love the bench idea…and your street sign is such a wonderful keepsake! Enjoy your beautiful spring…
Uh oh! I bet your husband regrets that now! I know your lilacs aren’t far behind mine, Linda!
What a perfect thing to do with those cinder blocks…a bench! What weird weather…cold and rainy one day…then hot and humid the next! I managed to get half my plants planted…other half will do today. Time to make our deck come alive! Enjoy your hike! ;)
The weather has been very up and down here, too. Ah well. At least it’s not snowing, Donna!
My dark purple lilacs haven’t bloomed yet but the light purple have. I need to get out and do some cleaning of the flower beds and haul some mulch but the weather isn’t the best and my time is limited. Some of my best times as a kid was making trails through our woods and riding our motorcycles through them. Pinning the lilacs today :)
Thank you, Dawn! I think today, which is a gorgeous day, might be our only rain-free day this week.
I LOVE the cinder-block benches! My thought was how cool they would feel on a warm summer day when you sit down to just think and listen to the sounds around you. Wonder what “the plan” was, once-upon-a-time, for all those blocks!? I saw someone in town here had several of them on their “side” and planted w/ beautiful red geraniums in front of an old garden gate. It looked so pretty!!
We have been so busy with cleaning out the beds and mulching and all the planting. Still so much to do. We have rain in the forecast today, but it is quite warm and humid. Then in the 70’s and SUN the rest of the week! I am not sure I believe it yet as it has been quite cold the last 10 days or so. I have been outside most of the morning, and even the humidity feels pretty good today!! I know that “joy” of a high dewpoint won’t last long, but the warmth is truly wonderful today.
Going to cut some lilacs this afternoon as the heavy rain will probably beat them down quite a bit. It smells beautiful out there!! Have a great day, Claudia!!
I might do that, Chris. I’ve seen cinder blocks planted as well. Might be neat idea! have a wonderful day, Chris.
How wonderful to have little areas to sit and contemplate in the woods. I find it so peaceful and serene to just listen to the wind. Your Lilacs are gorgeous, not a cold enough winter here for them to do well…although one of my friends who is from New York tries!!
hugs,
Linda
I really missed them when I was in California, Linda. And surprisingly, for this being a cottage built in 1891, there were no lilac bushes on the property. So I had to plant one!
Oh, the color of your lilac is just stunning, Claudia. I love all lilacs but am partial to that warmish, rich, pinky-purple. And the scent – wow! There aren’t many flowers whose scent can compare to them. Maybe roses, maybe sweet peas… but not much else. Do you have any other lilacs on your property? Enjoy your hike and this textbook May weather! :>)
No, this is the only one. You’d think there would be an old lilac bush around here – the house was built in 1891 – but there isn’t. That’s why I planted this one a few years ago. Just got back from a 5 mile hike – tired!
Oh, I didn’t know your house was so old – that’s wonderful. Old houses have stories to tell. I’m an anomaly in my family. Everyone else wants to build a gleaming new house when they win the lottery. Me? I want to find a wooded property with a smallish house with a porch [and an architect who specializes in restorations].
Claudia,
Your yard, and home, looks like such a wonderful place to be.
I hope you get to spend many many hours outside this summer, enjoying the beauty.
Have a great day!
Lori
Me too. I’m so enjoying being outdoors again. And gardening makes me very happy.
The Honeysuckle and Wild Roses are blooming here..what a wonderful scent..if I only had a Lilac mixed in it would be Heavenly..How nice of the previous owners to leave those blocks right where you could use them!
At first they were annoying, but now I’m happy they’re there.
What a wonderful wooded area you have to explore. How lucky you were to get your old street sign, so many interesting things to see on your property. Love the deep purple of your lilac bush too!
Hi, here in Pittsburgh, we didn’t have many lilacs in my area. The wisteria are just getting leaves. The azaleas are just starting to bloom. We are weeks behind you in the garden. Maybe we will have flowers until nov. Wishful thinking. Also, I have not received your email edition for the last two or three issues. Thank you for many hours of enjoyment. Kate