Dreaming of Fresh Flowers

 As we are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures for January, my mind can't help but wander to summer days and my beautiful hydrangea bushes. When we moved into our little farmhouse seven years ago, there was very little landscaping to speak of - some holly shrubs in the front, some Leyland Cyprus' in the back, and a large weeping willow in the corner of the yard. Grant researched all kinds of trees, determined to provide a kaleidoscope of spring and fall colors with the various trees we would plant. But while Grant dreamed and planned for trees, I planned for my hydrangeas.  To date, I have 5 bushes, all different.  But my favorite, by far, are my strawberries and cream.  Not only do they greet me as I pull into the driveway each day during the summer months, as we located them on the side of the house so they are the first thing you see as you pull up, but they add such sweet bouquets around my little farmhouse.  I love being able to display them around my home, to share them with my neighbors, or to take to my grandmother to brighten her day.

The strawberries and cream bush blooms later that other hydrangeas, and start out completely white. And as the summer months pass away, the blooms begin to fade from white to a soft blush pink. Rather than the standard hydrangea ball shape, these little darlings are more uniquely coned shaped. The bush grows quickly, and what once was a potted plant purchased from Bates Nursery in Whites Creek, Tn., only two summers ago, now takes up a much larger footprint and almost reaches the kitchen window under which it's planted. Although I do cut the bush back every winter, which is important to keep your bush healthy and allow it to continue to grow.

I don't tend to be one to wish away seasons. I don't spend my winters wishing for springs, or my springs wishing for falls. I try to enjoy the beauty that each season brings, with the understanding that many areas of the world, and even this country do not have the opportunity to see the splendor that comes with each seasonal change. But as I sit here thinking about my gorgeous strawberries and cream hydrangea bush, I can't help but look forward to the summer months when this bush will sprout it's stunning blooms again.

Photos taken by me, August 2016.  See more of my photos on Instagram - @rhiannongreen83.

Bates Nursery is located at  3810 Whites Creek Pike, Nashville, TN 37207 and their web address is batesnursery.com. I highly recommend them!