Favorite Fertilizer, Hydrangeas, Watering and Drying

Yesterday I was out fertilizing my hydrangeas and roses and I got to thinking about how steadfast I am about this product line.  I'm including pictures and links to make it easy to identify the products. 

(I am not compensated in any way, just sharing my favorite products)

Many years ago I became more interested in using more organic forms of fertilizing and I tried "Flower-Tone" by Espoma

I had always seen it at my local garden center but up until then I always used products like RapidGro liquid or MiracleGro fertilizer so I decided to give it a whirl. 

Their products are natural and organic and it breaks down in a slow gradual way that provides a safe, long lasting food reservoir for the plant throughout the growing season.

Last year I started the season with a dose of their Plant-Tone and gave everything a dose of it.  My hydrangeas get a dose of 

Holly-Tone

which is good for azaleas, rhododendrons, holly's and hydrangeas.  

My roses were treated to their Rose-Tone product also.

I have also used "Soil Acidifier" from their 

Organic Plant Food line

I have a very alkaline soil so decided to try the soil acidifier to see if I'd get more blue coloring.  I had a range of pink, lavender and blue last year on my Endless Summer hydrangeas. Notice the rich heavy leaves on the plant too.  The plants are really healthy.

The Limelight hydrangea is my other favorite and I was real pleased with it's growth last summer.

I adore this hydrangea! 

This was a newer one I put in the year before called CityLine- Venice.  It's a short compact  pink hydrangea.  

I have more but I better stop before you fall asleep!!  

Picking the right location makes a difference and keeping them watered does too.  They definitely react to the heat and wilt easily.

I water early in the day so the plants can dry off and be ready for the days heat.  I use this

 Touch'n Flow watering wand by Dramm

A lot of garden centers carry them, but my favorite is this handle with the easy grip and lever actived handle.

I bought one version with a shut off valve rather than the lever type and didn't care for it.  These provide a very full but gentle rain that can't be beat.   I like this 16" version but there is also a 30" version if you prefer a longer reaching one.

At the end of the season I snip off stems of the hydrangeas- once they are what I call "past perfect" and starting to get that paper look.  

I set them in water for a few days, and then let them dry out. If you pick them too early the flower will shrivel and won't be good for drying.

 Freshly cut early in the season

End of season cut

Lastly I use this pelleted fertilizer that I add to my annuals and a fertilizer enhanced plant mix for my potted plants to ensure they are getting a good amount of fertilizer  

Annuals are hungry little guys!


Thanks for stopping by and I hope I provided some useful information for you!

Leader of the pack!

These lilies are making a nice impact this year and in fact all the lilies are starting to bloom around here, so for now they are the leader of the pack!  This variety is called Orange Buttons.  They are the first in this row of lilies I have planted that will all be in bloom soon!

My Endless Summer Hydrangeas are starting to flower and I always enjoy watching the various stages of each flower as they develop.  

 Soft lavender tones, pinks and blues will all be represented!

I always give them a shot of a slow releasing organic fertilizer in the spring and they seem to be healthy and full of blooms. (Espoma, Organic Traditions, Soil Acidifier)

  Back by my fountain area I planted these Mosaic Lilac Impatiens...I love their old fashioned coloring and the movement of color in them.  I use impatiens to outline the border of this garden area each year.  With all the shade we have these work out wonderfully and since I plant 4 flats I like something that's reasonably priced!

I have been enjoying my "tapestry" of plants that I combined in this corner of the garden where the path meets the patio.

The Jack Frost Brunnera put on quite a show this spring and as you can see they provide a nice plant to enjoy afterwards!

 I'm enjoying this little corner I created and I am so glad to see them all filling in and realizing the vision I had! Coral Bells and Hostas- so easy to plant and reliable!

 Last year the voles had eaten my lilies at the beginning of the pathway. I planted new yellow lilies to replace them.  To my surprise some of the white ones made it back this year and are now blooming too!

And finally

Alyssum

The "Easter Basket" mix Alyssum I planted suddenly spread out and are starting to fill in next to the new Boxwoods I planted earlier this spring.

I hope your gardens are growing well too!