Friday, June 8, 2012

Oakleaf Hydrangea ~ a garden surprise

I was out working in my front garden the other day when I looked up and saw that my Oakleaf Hydrangea was blooming. This is a very large shrub and loves to spread out; I cut it back drastically every winter or it would take over the whole garden. This time of year it sends out lovely white flowers and as a special bonus, in the fall the foliage turns red ~ altogether a great landscape plant.



Like any good blogger I put down my gardening tools and went into the house for my camera. I usually don't bring these flowers into the house, but they were so pretty I cut some, and after putting them in a vase...





...I soon begin to notice the wonderful scent, after a while their perfume completely filled the house.  I didn't  realize that Hydrangeas had any fragrance. It was worth cutting them and bringing them in for this alone.


This little copper watering can was my Mother's and I have no idea where, or when, she got it, it was always in the kitchen and I imagine she used  it to water her African Violets. I love the wonderful patina and  simple, but elegant shape.




Pretty, n'est-ce pas? Everyday in the garden is an adventure, you never know what lovely things you might find.




Thank you for visiting, I hope that your garden is full of wonderful surprises.

25 comments:

  1. Oh, Adrienne, how lovely!

    I never knew hydrangeas had a scent either!

    And your pictures are so pretty and I ♥ your mother's watering can.

    Beautiful post!

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  2. Awww...so very beautiful. I especially love your mother's watering can next to those luscious blooms.

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  3. Oui, oui, so pretty! I didn't know hydrangeas had a scent either. What a treat!

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  4. Your hydrangea flowers are absolutely gorgeous. I am looking for a scented hydrangea (I think some are scented and others are not) and this one would be perfect!!! I'm so glad you posted it. Linda

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  5. Your mother's watering can looks very nice next to your beautiful hydrangeas.

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  6. Hello Adrienne:
    Such a perfectly lovely arrangement which look s so very pretty where you have placed it. But then, we simply love all white flowers and would, if we were to have a garden again, restrict it to green and white.

    That said we grew the oak leafed hydrangea in our Herefordshire garden but never with much success and certainly, in all the years, we never saw its wonderful flowers.

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  7. Simply gorgeous! I can't grow hydrangeas in this heat, so I'm going to reread your post and enjoy the blossom envy.

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  8. Your bouquet is gorgeous and looks so pretty sitting in the window! I love the little watering can too!

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  9. Lovely, lovely, lovely! How sweet to have your mother's watering can nearby...I love memories as those...

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  10. Gorgeous! I love hydrangeas but don't have an Oakleaf in my yard. I love the little watering can that belonged to your mother - it's such a sweet treasure!
    ~Adrienne~

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  11. Such a gentle and refreshing post.
    I, too, have an Oak Leaf Hydrangea, but I didn't know that it has a perfume. Mine hasn't yet flowered, but when it does, I'll have to bring some of it inside.
    Thank you!

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  12. What a beautiful arrangement. The oak leaf hydrangea is certainly a beautiful plant. Perhaps someday I should plant one!

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  13. Oh you've captured this hydrangea's beauty so well.
    I love your arrangement and that sweet little pot beside it is perfect.

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  14. Your Hydrangeas are beautiful! I don't know that I have seen this variety before but will look for them. Such a pretty vignette with your Mom's sweet watering can. So glad you brought a bunch inside and took the time to share them with us. Have a great weekend!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  15. Wow gorgeous flowers!! they are just lovely. I have some seeds I want to get planted for some perennials I need to work on my garden. The pictures are wonderful...thanks for sharing enjoy your beautiful blooms Love Heather

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  16. Indeed it is a lovely surprise, the flowers are just gorgeous. You've arranged them so beautifully and your Mom's watering can is just precious.
    Big hugs,
    Patti

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  17. This is one of the most beautiful hydrangeas I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing these beauties. Beautiful placement of the arrangement as well. I didn't konw hydrangeas had a scent either. I'll have to pay closer attention to mine.
    Mary Jane

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  18. Hi Adrienne,
    It is lovely and your pics are beautiful! I have one too by my gas meter, it gets overgrown every year! Did you know they dry pretty?
    I am following along :-)
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  19. Your oak leaf hydrangeas look beautiful in front of the window. They just seem to blend so nicely with the tree outside.
    Lovely pictures!
    Mary Alice

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  20. What a beautiful plant to bring inside. Your arrangement is lovely.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  21. Hi: What a beautiful flower arrangement--I love it on the white crocheted doily! I am glad you took the time to take some pictures of it--it's just lovely.

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  22. Beautiful arrangement!!Love hydrangeas though I have yet been successful at growing them!

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  23. Your pictures are GORGEOUS!!! Oak leaf Hydrangeas are one of my favorites. I have quite a few of them. I also LOVE the color of the leaf in the fall and the texture of the trunk...
    Your picture of your front window display is SO PERFECT I think you should FRAME IT! or PAINT IT! LOVE IT!!!
    Have a fun week,
    Big Hugs,
    Donna

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  24. That window is the perfect place to display your beautiful bouquet. That first closeup shot is wonderful. But they're all sensational! Glad you took a pause to share your gorgeous blooms!

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  25. Those are beautiful blooms. I have several different kinds of hydrangeas but not that one.

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