Yesterday while I was out for a walk I happened upon a sign on someone’s fence for free hydrangea flowers… Please cut your own. And there were pruning shears on top of the sign!!! I had to do a double take to make sure I wasn’t imagining the whole thing.
I cut my walk short and made quick sticks back home to grab a vase. Well, actually my favorite vase is an old blue Ball canning jar. I’m still on the hunt for a half gallon sized one {someday I’ll find one} for super big bouquets.
Anyway as I started to head out the door with my vase I decided to grab a thank you note and write a little message for the homeowner {because seriously, who leaves pruning shears out and invites people to cut THEIR flowers?}
And then before I knew it I had decided I would leave a sleeve of cookies and some of my {new} favorite tea on their porch as a thank you as well.
Did I mention the free hydrangea flowers were limelight hydrangeas? YES, yes they were!!
Limelight hydrangeas are so dreamy this time of year, don’t you think?
They’re like something from a garden party in a British movie that’s set in the country somewhere with white linen tablecloths and a shiny pot of tea and a tray of petite desserts with ladies with big hats going on about… I don’t know horses or something.
At what point does a shrub become a tree? Oh my word they were beautiful.
Fingers crossed the sign will still be out next week so we can enjoy another bouquet of hydrangeas before the first frost hits.
Enjoy the day,
~Mavis
Shari Harniss says
How generous of your neighbor.
And very classy of you to leave a thank you!
Rosemary says
Hydrangeas are my favorite flower, and I had no idea they could grow into a tree! I have a row of hydrangeas growing along the front of my house, but I need to get me some of these . . .
Sue says
Hydrangea bushes become trees through specific pruning techniques. You can also buy them from nurseries already pruned to tree form, but that can be quite pricy.
GK says
Is there a way to root those beautiful trimmings? This is something I’ve been wanting to try but I can never remember my sheers when I’m visiting my MIL with the hydrangeas!
Beautiful!! I would say this is an amazingly kind neighborhood you live in.
Tiffany F says
My thoughts exactly! As soon as I read the sign I wondered if they could be rooted.
Sue S. says
I googled the process first then ended up just sticking cuttings in a Mason jar with water. You should see the roots on all 4 stems
Now to transplant them…..
Brianna says
I love hydrangeas! When we moved into our house there was a hydrangea in the front yard. I have nurtured it the past two years and it leaf’s out and gets large, but never blooms. I have no idea why. I am reluctant to buy any other hydrangeas as I would hate to pay the price for them and have them do the same.
Carolyn Rust says
I saw an instagram post about extending the life of the cut hydrangea by smashing the portion of the stem that is in water. It increases hydration and extends the life of the bloom.
I haven’t tried it (no hydrangeas in my yard) but am looking forward to trying it someday.
sandy says
No more moving. I think that you have found your nirvana.
Mimi says
What a sweet exchange!
Judith Garczek says
I have a hydrangea tree in my yard and they look the same as the ones you just cut. I cut them in the fall and put them in a vase with no water and they stay till the next year. They dry. It was so very nice of the neighbor to share and for you to also share. Enjoy your hydrangeas, I sure do.
Trace Stavros says
How lovely !!
They say you can root them.. I want to try as I do have two bushes also..
Blessings!!
Susan Webster says
I have at least five Limelight Hydrangeas and if you don’t replace the water and simply leave them in the vase they will dry beautifully! It’s the only time neglect rewards you.
At some point spray with an inexpensive aerosol hairspray to prolong the life of your dried hydrangeas. Enjoy for years.
Linda says
I had already decided to get a hydrangea. Now, that is set in stone.
Nancy says
Unfortunately deer love hydrangeas so I can’t have them. Don’t you just love it when you come across a really nice thing that someone has done? Doesn’t that just make your day?
Deltha Sharp says
I have several half gallon blue mason jars. Would you like one? I’d love to gift it.
Mavis Butterfield says
I just found one at an antique store this morning. Thank you though, that was very kind.