We like to party. And, by that, we mean with nature. If you're looking for a tree that likes to let loose in the summer too, the crepe myrtle just might be the perfect party plant for your landscape. Why? Crepe myrtles are absolutely gorgeous during this time of year.
Hydrangea Heaven
Good morning everyone! What a beautiful week it is. It is so gorgeous down at the garden center right now. I hope you all get a chance to stop by and stroll the gardens and drink in the beauty down every path. The roses are blooming, the perennial and annual tables are absolutely bursting with color, and the tropicals from Monrovia are radiant and bright. Everywhere the eye can wander at Garden Supply is a sight to behold, indeed. Some of you may have noticed on your drives around town that the early Crepe Myrtles are beginning to bloom. Crepe Myrtles are wonderful additions to your home landscape offering colorful and long-lasting flowers along with sinewy, fluted stems and branches with a mottled appearance that arises from having bark that sheds throughout the year.
We are pleased to bring you this Zuni variety early-blooming Crepe Myrtle down at Garden Supply. The Zuni is a special introduction featuring larger dark lavender flower trusses, improved hardiness, and handsome peeling bark. A must-have for the garden for early summer blooming.
And if you are ready for some truly gorgeous blossoms, you must come and see our hydrangeas. We have a huge selection of flower type and color, from the standard globe-like mop form to delicate lace caps. My absolute favorite variety and top find of the day is the 'new for 2010' Invincibelle Spirit hydrangea.
Invincibelle Spirit
The Invincibelle Spirit has rich pink flowers that bloom from early summer to the first frost. This hardy and native plant even re-blooms without deadheading, and the fragrance is out of this world.
Blushing Bride & Twist-n-Shout
In the foreground here is the Endless Summer Blushing Bride hydrangea. This lovely plant blooms with radiant pure white, semi-double florets that gradually mature to a sweet pink blush. This newest member of the Endless Summer Collection reliably blooms on both old and new growth, producing more blooms all season long. Blushing Brideʼs full yet compact habit makes it an ideal plant for decorative containers, elegant as a stand-alone shrub or combined with other garden plants.
Beyond the Blushing Bride hydrangea in the above photo and below is the Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout. Twist-n-Shout boasts gorgeous season-long blooms, vivid color, sturdy red stems and deep green foliage.
This stunning lace-cap hydrangea is available exclusively to independent North American nurseries in limited quantities, with European distribution to follow later this year. So hurry in and get your hands on one while they last.
Another outstanding hydrangea is the Big Daddy variety, offering 12 – 14 inch flower heads which radiates blue and pink in tightly-clustered masses of gigantic blooms. Big Daddy features some of the largest flowers of any hydrangea. The plant has strong stems, making the blooms ideal for cutting.
Or how about the lovely Light of Day which bears green leaves festively edged in white and flattened lace-cap flowers in shades of blue and pink.
The inner blooms are either pink or blue, depending on the soil acidity. Surrounding the inner blooms are bright white flowers. 'Light O' Day' will reach about four feet tall and four feet wide. It prefers moist soil (not wet) in a place with afternoon shade and morning sun. 'Light O' Day' makes an excellent choice for the woodland garden or along the north side of the house or garage. For maximum bloom production, choose a spot that is lightly shaded, has dappled shade or is shaded in the afternoon with morning sun.