“Flower are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts.” ~ Dodinsky
Fall has finally arrived, weather wise I should add. Cool daytime temps in the 50s with lows at night in the 40s. And rain. Lots of rain and clouds. A stark contrast from near 90 degree temps with the baking sunlight of last week.
Now I look for the stalwart flowers who are still continuing. You know like dahlia and cosmos, and even zinnias. And of course hydrangea. Did you know the hydrangea represents gratitude, grace and beauty in the Language of Flowers.
The only hydrangea I have is the lovely Proven Winner short shrub, Fire Light Tidbit® Hydrangea paniculata. It was a gift to trial in 2021, the year I had to dig up my garden and remove most of the plants. I was able to convince the property owners to allow me to keep it. And I am so grateful it has remained in the garden, finally getting a foothold.
This short shrub is magnificent in the spring and summer as the white blooms fill the branches.
Then it turns pink and deep rose red in fall. I have been cutting the flowers to bring in for vases. And this time the vase is red and pink. with a few double white cosmos that have been pumping out loads of blooms nearby.
I strongly recommend this shrub. It is great for small gardens like mine packing lots of blooms in a small space. And it grows on new wood. Perfect for my climate and unpredictable spring weather.
With this week’s vase, I am linking in to the wonderful meme, In A Vase On Monday, at Rambling in the Garden.
All the pictures shared in this post were taken with my Nikon Coolpix or iPhone camera, and manipulated on my iPhone using the apps, Pixlr and Prisma. You can follow my progress with #the100dayproject in my Instagram and Facebook feed.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2023. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.
It’s a beauty, for sure, Donna! Sounds like you’re having a similar October to ours: We skipped from highs in the 80s to highs in the 50s almost overnight. I miss the 60s and 70s, and I feel cheated. LOL.
I feel cheated too Beth!
It’s a beautiful shrub, Donna. Its usefulness as a cut flower is a bonus. I miss hydrangeas in my current garden but sadly they need more water than I can offer to thrive here.
Yes that is true. And sad. But you have so many beautiful plants.
Such beauty. I was never able to be successful with hydrangeas. My DIL loves them and is equally unsuccessful. Surely do enjoy your sharing the lovely photos.
Thanks. It is most important to find one that likes your climate.
A beautiful cultivar, I’m glad mgt. let you keep it!
Me too!
That is a really pretty Hydrangea Donna. I love the way they change colours throughout the seasons. So glad you were allowed to keep it!
I think the color change is a big part of my love for these flowers.
Gorgeous! I love that hydrangea.
It is such a stunner!
So beautiful, Donna. Love hydrangeas and yours is great. Glad you were able to keep and enjoy it. The cosmos is nice too. I need to remember to grow it next summmer. Send us some of your rain, please!
I’d be happy to share our rain.
Love how it changes colour, Donna – definitely a winner, as you have proved!
Haha!! Thanks Cathy
That’s such a pretty shade of rose! I’ve been contemplating whether to cut our color changing flower heads to bring inside or not. I think your example just tipped the scale in favor of yes. They will be far more appreciated in the front hallway than the hedge 🙂
I couldn’t agree more. Enjoy them!