I Planted a Hydrangea Not for Its Blooms!

by The Garden Frog with C Renee

Sometimes I buy a plant just for its foliage. Sure blooms are a great but sometimes I get bored with green leaves and so whenever I spy a perennial that is variegated I snag it up. In my opinion, there is nothing prettier than a variegated leaf-whether it is on a hosta, hydrangea, or other plant. I will grow a plant for a year or two before recommending a new plant to someone. I want to make sure that they can have success in their garden.
My new love affair for the past couple years has been with hydrangeas. Even though my soil is hard red clay, I have had success growing these seriously since last spring. When I saw this Lemon Wave Hydrangea at Lowe's, I fell in love and had to have one. I sure wish I would have bought more because the next day they were sold out.
So I am now in the process of using my coat hangers and setting up for more additions to the front bed next spring. Sorry zone 5 and below because it is recommended for zones 6-9. Read more about her @ my blog!
Creating. Inspiring. Gardening without the rules!

hydrangeas foliage garden, gardening, hydrangea

Taken 8/29/2014 the winter was tough and she took all summer to grow back.

Isn't this just a beautiful plant?

July 2013 blooms

July 2013 tightly grown and full of blooms

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3 of 15 comments

169756 on May 08, 2015
Have brought a variegated one to my new place from the old and still no blooms. Major bummer. LOVE hydrangeas. Bought my newest lacecap and just put it in the ground yesterday. Now I have 8 hydrangeas, all varied. Have 3 in containers. HOPE they do some blooming this year :(

2 Reply
- The Garden Frog with C Renee on May 12, 2015
  @Kathleen I have found in my experience that the variegated hydrangea does not always bloom and they take at least 3 years (this goes for most plants) to thrive and grow. Be patient. I found the Mini Penny from Monrovia to be a great performer and I wrote a blog on it too. good luck
  
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169756 on May 12, 2015
I'll check out the Mini Penny. Not familiar with it. Thanks

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