Hydrangea Hunting

Oh how I love hydrangeas even though I don't have a single one in my own yard. 


When I was visiting family and friends in Illinois, I  decided to go on a hydrangea hunt to see if I could find the gorgeous blues and pinks.


Here are the blues that I found in a friend's yards.


Aren't these blues just gorgeous?

I did a little research and did you know that it is much easier to change the pink hydrangeas to blue ones than changing the blue to pink?

The mophead hydrangea have the ability to change the color of the blooms based on the chemistry of the soil. When they are grown in alkaline soil, the blooms colors are pinker; but when grown in acidic soil, the blooms are blue.



I read that they do like water and the leaves will droop if they do not get enough. Too much water, and the leaves will begin to get brown or black marks on the edges.


Now for the pinks in another friend's yard.




You can see a little mix in one of these mopheads, do you see the second one from the top and how it is a mix of blue and pink?


Aren't they all just fabulous. I love both colors and they always bring back memories from my childhood of my grandmother's yard when they were blooming along the entire side of her house. 

Do you have a preference for the color of hydrangea you like? - Judy

Linking to:
Susan at BetweenNaps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage 
Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill 
My entry into Make the Scene Monday #33  is sponsored by Appliances Online & Bosch Washing Machines.
Meet Me Monday at You're Talking Too Much 
Favorite Photo Monday 

The Bunny Hop Party at Bunny Jeans on Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style 
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

DIY by Design for Swing Into Spring
Ivy and Elephants for What’s It Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here on Thursday
Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner
Kristen’s Creations for Share Your Creations on Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Stuff and Nonsense for Friday's Unfolded
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Natasha in OZ for Say G'day Saturday 
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper



27 comments:

  1. Those are just stunning hydrangeas! Out of my 2 hydrangea bushes, I have a total of 2 flowers. Ugh!!

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  2. Oh so so so so pretty!!!

    I had 3 hydrangeas bushes last year but two didn't come back in early spring....so I have one but it doesn't get enough sun so it's nice and green but not producing many blossoms- like maybe 5 so far, pale and small.

    The hydrangeas you found on your hunt are absolutely STUNNING - they are so amazing!!!! Oh how I wish mine looked like that!

    My soil is extremely alkaline, so mine are almost always pink......but I put coffee grounds, tea leaves and evergreen needles around the base and it "kinda" turns blue, but the bluer the better, I daresay!

    Your pics are gorgeous, Judy!!

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  3. Judy, I love them all,but I change my choice with my favourite colour at the time. Last year I added blueing tonic to have blue ones,but this year I am going to leave them,as I favour pink. As they are in pots it is easier to change on a whim. xx

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  4. I love hydrangeas...we have 2 bushes in our yard that are only 2 years old...one is blue...the front...and the one in the back yard is pink...we prefer the blue and are working to keep the blue one blue! In our area they can only take morning sun...thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures...those must be older bushes because they look huge! Have a great evening!!

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  5. Gorgeous hydrangeas! Just beautiful.

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  6. i love these flowers!
    did you know if they grow in the shade they get darker in color my dad had some in his yard that were almost dark purple very fun

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  7. They are just beautiful. I tried and tried to grow them here in Utah, when Martha Stewart made us all love them, but alas twas not to be, so its fun to enjoy those you have shared. Thanks!!

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  8. Beautiful pictures. I have a hydrangea bush outside my office window and I have been watching the buds slowly grow. It looks like they will bloom this week. My camera has been itching to shoot them.

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  9. Beautiful photos! Sadly mine are done this year! Too HOT for them and they are a little toasty! :(

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  10. Oh, what I would give to have a few of these glorious bushes in my own yard!!!!!!! I have wanted to grow hydrangeas for quite a long time now, but it's hard getting' the little Mister on board. I shall prevail!!! :-)

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  11. These are beautiful. We use to have white ones but the bush died. I would love for you to share these on my Monday linky party.
    http://www.igottatrythat.com/p/blog-hop-linky-colde.html
    Thanks
    Marcie @ www.IGottaTryThat.com

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  12. Beautiful! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  13. What gorgeous blooms! We planted a few hydrangeas just last year so our plants don't have the grand display like those in your photos. I think the blue is more unique so that's the way I'll vote.

    Visiting from The Bunny Hop.
    Debra

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  14. Your hydrangeas are something
    special.. such beautiful colors.
    Great shots of them..
    Sandy

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  15. Hydrangeas are such fun plants because they change colors. Love your shots.
    Joyce M

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  16. Anonymous1:00 AM

    I love hydrangeas and love the fact that I can control the color if I want to. It is almost like they are natures litmus paper. We have two, both blue. One began pink, but then we planted it in our acid soil and walla...a blue hydrangea. You have made such beautiful photos. Enjoy them.

    Yael from Home Garden Diggers

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  17. Gorgeous photos of hydrangeas ~ lovely blog!

    ~ thanks, namaste, (A Creative Harbor) on Blogger linked w/Outdoor Wednesday

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  18. gorgeous...photos that do this wonderful bloom justice!

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  19. Judy, Hydrangeas are one of my favorites. I love pink and blue and some are green. I love the creamy color when they are dried. What great photos of the mopheads.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  20. I love hydrangeas! Your friends have such beautiful, full bushes. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, Judy!

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  21. Hi, Judy! These are all so beautiful! Due to the heat and drought my "Endless Summers" have stopped blooming, even though we're watering...
    I'm adding you to my sidebar, Dear!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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  22. I love hydrangeas! Blue ones, pink ones, they're all great!

    - The Tablescaper

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  23. Hands down for me, it will always be blue, no matter what flower:)

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  24. Wow, these are absolutely gorgeous. It's like nature was on a painting mood, with all those beautiful colors. Wish I could say that hydrangeas could flourish in the Mojave desert. And I love those floral arrangements :)

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  25. Judy... these photographs are absolutely beautiful!! You make me want to move ... immediately!
    Thank you so much for joining us in Thursdays Favorite Things Blog Hop! With His grace, wishing you peace and many blessings to you and yours… Carla

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  26. Judy I just love hydrangeas, so fluffy and full of color! Lovely photos. Thank you for your bloggy friendship and for sharing on the Thursday Favorite Things hop. Hoping you have a great weekend xo

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  27. What beautiful hydrangeas! I've tryed growing them in the past and have a difficult time with them. I do have two bushes at the farm cottage that a friend gave me years ago. Have a great weekend.
    Nancy

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