tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post8709601933659849101..comments2024-03-28T02:36:36.432-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Hydrangeas and Short Stories by Margaret S. HamiltonJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-55854808599147606182016-06-01T05:42:00.041-04:002016-06-01T05:42:00.041-04:00What glorious photos! I planted plumbago (not to b...What glorious photos! I planted plumbago (not to be confused with lumbago) in South Florida so I too would have blue blooms. Hydrangea do not do well here and they, like forsythia, lilacs, and peonies, three other plants that don't do well locally, were part of my childhood fantasy garden.<br /><br />Writing and gardening have many similarities. It's a comforting thought!<br /><br /> Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-14124433773598103092016-05-31T20:50:34.772-04:002016-05-31T20:50:34.772-04:00Margaret, if you are in an area where you are sure...Margaret, if you are in an area where you are sure children will not get hold of them & think they are candy, you can try spreading some moth balls around your daylilies.<br /><br />They don't work against deer, but they do seem to work against ground critters.<br /><br />KathleenKM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-68884984153742802662016-05-31T20:11:59.655-04:002016-05-31T20:11:59.655-04:00Margaret, I have an oak leaf hydrangea, too, and h...Margaret, I have an oak leaf hydrangea, too, and hundreds of daylilies, and I'm not exaggerating. I got most of them from Gilbert H. Wild & Son. They have such an assortment and often have sales. Also, when they get large, I divide them giving me even more. The rabbits don't seem to bother my daylilies, but they do chew on my rosebushes in the winter. <br />Gilbert H. Wild & son sell other flowers, too, like peonies, Asiatic and Oriental lilies to name just a few of their large assortment. Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-30901918468634751972016-05-31T11:54:23.851-04:002016-05-31T11:54:23.851-04:00Kathleen, I adore my daylilies, though our residen...Kathleen, I adore my daylilies, though our resident rabbit is devouring them. I located her nest but I'm leaving it alone. I have so many colors and varieties, some reblooming.<br /><br />Warren, coastal climates with misty rain and filtered sunlight produce the most beautiful gardens. Enjoy.<br /><br />Carla, mine will probably bloom in 2-3 weeks. I'm anxious to see if the blossoms stay blue.<br /><br />Jim, writing is an adventure, as is gardening. No two stories are the same, and no two gardening seasons are. It's the thrill and frustration of the unexpected.<br /><br />Shari, this will be your year for mapping the sun and finding out what perennials and blooming shrubs are in your garden. When we moved to Cincinnati, I left an odd bundle of hollow sticks in place in the bog garden under a river birch. One morning, I discovered a dinner-plate sized hibiscus flower! Each precious bloom lasts a day, then crumples like sodden tissue paper.<br /><br />Gloria, I found oak leaf hydrangeas in the yard when we moved here. They are sturdy and reliable bloomers and do well in the Cincinnati climate.Margaret S. Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07979191318652199350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-19935060306697777382016-05-31T11:37:42.945-04:002016-05-31T11:37:42.945-04:00Margaret, I love hydrangeas, too. My blue ones don...Margaret, I love hydrangeas, too. My blue ones don't always bloom, but I have the larger hardy ones that bloom in early fall along the north side of my house. They have huge white clusters that start to turn a light pink. I use them in flower arrangements and let them dry out so they make nice dried arrangements with other dried plants. I have other hydrangeas, too, but can't think of their names now. Right now my roses and peonies are starting to bloom and some of my irises are still blooming, but most are done except for the Japanese Iris which are vividly blooming in a blue almost purple color. Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-21413369488338876242016-05-31T10:35:14.786-04:002016-05-31T10:35:14.786-04:00What gorgeous photos, Margaret! I hope all your pl...What gorgeous photos, Margaret! I hope all your plants - and stories - bloom.<br />We moved last year and it's been such fun to see what pops up around the yard. I've been blessed and cursed by the decisions of past gardeners. Spectacular, mature lilacs and wonderful lily of the valley coexist with unfortunately vigorous ivy that's eating the porch! Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-27221038716558679382016-05-31T09:25:33.123-04:002016-05-31T09:25:33.123-04:00Beautiful pictures. You are so right, Margaret tha...Beautiful pictures. You are so right, Margaret that gardening and authoring are acts of faith. The seed can be perfect, but the soil may not be favorable. Bad weather can wreak plans. Etc.<br /><br />Good luck on your stories and your hydrangeas.Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-86458925900292703112016-05-31T09:05:36.949-04:002016-05-31T09:05:36.949-04:00I love Hydrangeas too-- and they are in riotous co...I love Hydrangeas too-- and they are in riotous color in SC right now!carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985823239660829148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62826591766364108482016-05-31T09:00:04.410-04:002016-05-31T09:00:04.410-04:00I moved from Kansas City to Portland, Oregon. The ...I moved from Kansas City to Portland, Oregon. The spring here lasted for months and the flowers were gorgeous.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-78165078978076707252016-05-31T08:56:17.942-04:002016-05-31T08:56:17.942-04:00Right now, the peonies are in bloom (I hope it doe...Right now, the peonies are in bloom (I hope it doesn't rain too hard and knock off all the petals!) and I'm waiting for the daylilies. Some years their blossoms are abundant and beautiful. Other years, the deer munch on the buds and I get vigorous plants with sturdy, but flowerless, stalks.<br /><br />The daffodils and narcissus (narcissi?) were wonderful this year. We got a burdt of warm weather that coaxed them into a condensed flowering season, then it turned much cooler and the flowers lasted a long time.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.com