For the Love of . . . Hydrangeas

When I lived on the Oregon coast, most of the hydrangeas were big, blue blossoms. We couldn’t grow a pink one if we had to. That’s because coastal soil is so acidic. Now that I live inland, I am struck by all the varieties of hydrangeas. Beautiful.

It feels as though 2025 brought with it an awakening from a long sleep of all things that grow. The flowers are spectacular, with lush growth and colors that appear almost luminescent. Gardeners throughout the area agree. The roses are no exception. Most of these shots are from the Owen Gardens in Eugene, Oregon. The rest are from mine or a family member’s.

I call this gorgeous white peony “Marty’s Peony.” The start was gifted to me by Marty, a client of many years. She was a classic, elegant sprite of a woman–a business woman in a time when females in those roles were rare. I still miss her. I think the close-up of the stamen, its interior, is quite amazing.