I love hydrangeas for many reasons, some sentimental and some practical:

Sentimental:

1. This is the first type of bush I ever grew
2. Very romantic and old fashioned
3. The official flower of Cape May New Jersey – a romantic town
4. Depending on the acidity of the soil the flowers can be pink, blue, pink and blue or purple!
5. The individual flowers are very delicate

Practical:

1. They grow at an amazing rate
2. Tons of blossoms cover the bushes!
3. Even though they shed their leaves, the stems are pretty
4. The flowers dry well and can be displayed for years
5. They are hardy once established and are relatively pest-free
6. The plants grow so large within a few years they look as if they’ve been in the ground for decades
7. Hydrangeas lend themselves to a more traditional, colonial or Victorian landscape
8. There are many varieties and new ones are being developed yearly!

What kind of flowers make you smile?

Find out more about the gardens in JoAnn’s world at http://hoppelife.blogspot.com