Hydrangeas - Around the World and at Home

These bountiful bushes of pink hydrangeas are actually lining Praska Street, at the oldest promenade in the Lower Town of the capitol city Zagreb, Croatia. As you pass, you'll immediately notice a faint fragrance similar to roses. Photo taken June 13, 2011.

Murano Island is home to this lovely walkway.  In addition to being the European center for glass blowing, one may find, adorning the bricks (ancient and modern), fully blooming bushes of hydrangeas.  Can anything be more beautiful?  Photo taken June 19, 2011

This Venetian Courtyard, not far from San Marco Palace, is partial to thriving hydrangea plants clustered beyond the entrance arches, inviting onlookers to come inside and taste the tranquility.
Photo taken June 18, 2011.

Cut hydrangeas freshly exhibiting colors of light green, lavendars, pinks and soft periwinkle tones. Those beautiful blue tones result from adding acid to the soil, thanks to my neighbor Carol. We think hydrangeas are just too pretty to stay outside.  Bring them in for a lovely centerpiece showcasing summer's pastels.

One single hydrangea, holding its own during a summer rainfall in my back yard.  Proudly displaying its beauty, despite the despondency of late afternoon showers.  Photo taken September 14, 2011

"As Summer into Autumn slips
And yet we sooner say
"The Summer" than "the Autumn," lest
We turn the sun away ... "  Emily Dickenson


Summer Hydrangeas ~ Enjoy them every way
1. Fresh Cut - Pick fresh hydrangeas and put them in a vase with water.  They can last for weeks with fresh water and trimmed stems. As the water dissipates, allow the hydrangeas to dry  naturally.  Most of them retain their color whether soft greens, pinks, or blues.

2.  Dry and Dye - Did you know you can dry hydrangeas and DYE them?  Yes, once they are dried and the color is fading, you can use Rit Dye to bring color right back into the dried petals.  Mix boiling water with the Rit dye according to directions. Stir into a large 2 gallon pail or even an ice cream pail.  The secret is to have the water boiling hot, stir, then hold the stems at the top, upside down with flowers at the bottom, dip them completely in the hot dyed water. Submerge, swish around a little bit hold under the water remove, shake dry and allow to air dry on newspapers that have been spread out.  Do this in your laundry tub or somewhere that the dye will not stain other items in your home.

3.  Spray Paint - Yes, you can Spray Paint fresh hydrangeas to get a specific color that you'd like!  Michaels sells a floral spray which works well to fully change the color of white hydrangeas.  My daughter did this for her wedding bouquet.  She actually used one can of floral spray paint and one can of regular.  She wanted a bright pink (but not hot pink) hydrangea for the bouquets. It worked perfectly.  The colors she chose to mix for a were Raspberry floral spray and a Watermelon regular spray paint.  The two blended nicely for a lovely, rich pink that was striking against her white gown and the yellow ruffled bridesmaid dresses.