Hydrangeas

I now have a new obsession - Hydrangeas

I now have (or have ordered) the following:

Hydrangea Arborescens Strong Annabelle
Hydrangea Arborescens Invincibelle
Hydrangea Macrophylla Dark Purple
Hydrangea Macrophylla Miss Saori
Hydrangea Macrophylla Red Baron
Hydrangea Macrophylla Together
Hydrangea Macrophylla Madam Emile Mouillere
Hydrangea Macrophylla Sabrina
Hydrangea Macrophylla (unnamed variety in a pot which is currently pink).

Most of them are various shades of pink or have pink in them. However, I have slightly acidic soil and several of them are going in the front border behind a low hedge. The effect I'm going for is of a low hedge (Prunus laurocerasus Otto Luyken) at the front with a row of various Hydrangeas overhanging the hedge which will hopefully look lush all summer long. It's quite dry in that border so I know I've committed myself to having to water them frequently unless we've had a decent downpour.

Question 1 - will the pinks all turn blue?
Question 2 - best fertiliser to use?
Question 3 - where the hell am I going to put them all?!!

 

Thanks Owl. I don't know what the ph reading is, but neighbour says he has and it's on the slightly acidic side (clay). Will get a kit and test it. Pretty much anything I plant does well in it, including Rhododendrons and Roses. However that could be down to plant choices.

The border is in shade for a large part of the day, especially since there are mature trees in neighbouring gardens which provide some shade. Quite a dry border though so I know I'm going to have to do lots of watering but I don't mind that.

 

Ooo Merle,lovely selection...

Have you seen 'Vanilla Fraise'? https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=v...GIq6t7Aahz6SAAw&ved=0CD4QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=667

 

Stop it you wicked woman!

I have and it's lovely, as is Limelight, but I'm going to have to divest myself of lots of plants as it is. Luckily my neighbour told me a couple of days ago that her mother was in the market for some plants so I'll donate some her way. I've run out of options at work and my colleagues have no border space for any more.

My neighbour's front border is looking very empty though - she has a few of mine already and she's having a garden makeover soon so I may have to do some guerilla gardening

 

Oops @Lolimac I appear to have 'accidentally' purchased this one

 

Good choice on the strong Annabelle, invincible and miss saori

have you seen Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky ('Dvppinky') i discovered it the other day and its my new fav because it looks more wild imo and it has a brilliant name that is easy to remember lol



I also have a soft spot for hydrangea glam rock and really want mine to grow so i get some flowers soon or at least some next year

 

Stoppit @Dips It's a conspiracy I tell ya!

Pinky Winky looks very similar to Vanille Fraise, it's lovely. Glam Rock is very striking too.

My next one is going to be Cotton Candy, which I'll order next spring.

I've just had to have a word with a local gardener about widening my front borders for me so I can fit some more plants in. There'll be no lawn left at this rate

Invincibelle is just flowering and I have to say I'm in love - the blooms are so delicate and just stunningly beautiful The pictures really don't do it justice.

 

meh @marleworld who needs a lawn lol think of all the mowing it will save lol

cotton candy is very pretty

 

Here's the ones I've got so far (I keep an Excel spreadsheet with everything in so I don't forget the names):

 

wow how very organised im impressed. much better than my system of buy the plant with the catchy name and try to remember it lol

i dont think you have enough pink tho

 

Some of them will turn blue in my acid soil anyway, so it'll balance itself out

 

Plants arrived yesterday from Ashwood Nurseries and have to say I'm impressed. They are lovely specimens, well packed, quick delivery, customer service was excellent when I asked for a swap of one item and addition of another. All plants are 3L and £12.95 each - much larger than a couple of the ones from Crocus I bought for a similar price.

 

...Lovely looking plants Merle...

Ermmm,Ashwood Nurseries you say....now you've done it

 

Yes @Lolimac - here's the link just in case you need it