It's time for me to start cutting back the 80+ hydrangeas we have in the gardens here at Struan Farm. This is an annual event for which I need to gird my loins. Like raking leaves, the job is something to be done in instalments, with multiple trailer loads carted off by my helpers. Hydrangeas are easy care and bloom for a long time each summer into autumn. Unlike roses or dahlias, they don't ask for much if anything from me, are pretty much one of the "givers" in the gardens. So I don't begrudge them their need to be cutback each year.
I've started off by tackling Hydrangea Hill at the Homestead.
This is one of those jobs where you're rewarded almost instantly for your work. Things look much, much better. I've learned over the years that while you can cut hydrangeas back rather dramatically to control their size, they don't flower quite as much that next year. Since we want as many flowers as possible, I usually deadhead each plant first, then have a look at how it might be intruding upon its neighbours before I lop any more off.
I'm about halfway done here. After cutting back the plants I then get down and weed, rake, and edge that section of the Hill. Another nice attribute of hydrangeas is that they do a great job camouflaging weeds, at least until they get their seasonal haircuts. Next a good carpet of surplus leaves from the Pet Paddock will be laid before I move to another area of the gardens.
I even took some time to stop and smell the flowers, stumbling upon some lovely, delicate flower "skeletons."
It's not all work, no play at Struan Farm, despite what you may think!
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