The GROWING Gift We LOVE...

'Fairest of months; 

ripe Summer's Queen

The hey-day of the year

With robes that gleam with sunny sheen,

Sweet August doth appear.'

- R. Combe Miller

The signs of August lie near...

the dog days of summer are here!

AND with that... brings an abundance

of bounty among the hydrangeas, 

zinnia's & the STRONG, 

towering sunflowers!

Throughout the past weeks, 

there have been days here in Kentucky

 JUST too hot for outdoor duties!

Therefore... my thoughts & hands

 have turned to sketching 

with NEW designs being spit out two-fold!

Sunflowers being a staple

for years here at the farm... I couldn't

pass up the desire to add one OR two

to this season's series!

Look for HAND-PAINTED...

sunflower, home decor at 

ALL the up-coming... 

autumn/fall shows & events!

NOW... back to these DELIGHTFUL
variety of hydrangeas, 'Limelight'!

There's OFTEN the question...
'When is the right time to harvest
hydrangeas to obtain the BEST
finished product'?

Well... even though I've grown hydrangeas
for years offering them as potted goods,
fresh cuts & dried bundles... I STILL
find myself guessing myself!
When harvesting this one
particular hydrangea... 'Limelight', 
you are looking for a couple of things!
FIRST... timing is the ultimate key, it's

better to allow the blossom to dry slightly

while still on the shrub.

Depending on what state/garden zone

experiment on harvesting from 

August through October!

The blossoms will sometimes

pick up a beautiful shade of pink

when left on, especially in the south region!

PER: Phyllis Harris, a phenomenal, 

floral designer in the Nashville area...

states, 'If 'Limelight' Hydrangeas are still 

white, they will collapse into almost

nothing, they have to remain green,

for several weeks before harvesting!

Dry them in a cool place to prevent

discoloration... 

I, personally like to strip my leaves as 
I harvest to save on a shredded mess later! 

BUT, I have been known to leave the 

leaves for MORE interest & fullness! 

The time to harvest is AFTER

the morning dew has resided,

trying your best NOT to harvest during

the hottest hours of the day!

Here... you'll notice I harvest
them by the box full, it JUST helps
me on saving time, by placing them heads-up
as I go from hydrangea to hydrangea!
They will remain in the box
as positioned for at least 5-7 days,
 until dried to a ruffle feel!

And JUST one more tip...
REALLY a personal one for me!
I absolutely LOVE harvesting them
leaving long stems attached,
 that way the possibilities are
ENDLESS in decorating!

Hoping this gives YOU an insight
of how to harvest THOSE
magnificent blossoms, in order
to ENJOY a growing
gift that JUST keeps on giving!

BLESSED evening... & Happy Harvesting...
from my garden to YOURS!