Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Heavenly Hydrangeas

This is the Steigleman Home in Vicksburg. It was built of red brick in 1840, and its Londonderry Chimneys were destroyed by a tornado in 1953.

Although it's a beautiful and stately house, that's not why it catches my eye this time of year. It's the "side yard" of the Steigleman house that beckons me to come ... to its lovely little Hydrangeas Garden.

And what a lovely garden it is! I don't believe I've ever seen one as beautiful, and with a range of colors like this one.

Even on hot summer days, the pair of beautiful old benches beckon you to come "sit in the shade a spell," and enjoy the cool blues, lavenders, and pinks of the Hydrangeas.

Just look at the beautiful clusters of flowers, tangled amongst themselves, in hues ranging from deep blues ...

To pastel pinks ...

To the softest shades of lavender ...

To a bold splash of bright fuchsia!

And my lagniappe for the day was this glorious blossom featuring all the colors in one delicate cluster. Oh, be still my heart!

The heavy blossoms were bowing under the weight of raindrops from a rain shower the night before, their leaves and petals shimmering in the mid-morning light.

I love the contrast between the heavily textured and veined leaves and the soft, delicate petals of the flowers.

I've never grown Hydrangeas, but have always loved them and think, next to magnolias, they epitomize southern grace and hospitality. They also remind me of happy childhood memories of playing in grandmothers' gardens of long ago.

I'm linking this post to "Outdoor Wednesdays," and would like to thank our hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer, for giving us the opportunity to share our outdoors today.

Be sure to visit Susan, and follow the links to see everyone else's contributions.

8 comments:

Deb said...

I can see why you love it there...those flowers are beautiful...love the mulitcolored ones also...I love the bench...I bet it would be nice to just sit there and relax...

Stacey said...

What a beautiful place. You are so right about those hydrangeas - they are exceptionally pretty.

Just noticed that some hydrangeas in my backyard are beginning to bloom for the first time in years! Woo hoo!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

GORGEOUS! What beautiful hydrangeas. I don't blame you one bit for being beckoned to take photos of that beautiful yard.

Janie, if you take the blue of those incredibly beautiful hydrangeas and add more indigo, that's what they have in Martha's Vineyard. I've never seen them quite the color of the ones there. Oh, what I wouldn't give to see them through your lens.

Thanks for sharing these...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Michelle said...

Love u'r work all u'r pics r so very very good

nanny said...

Beautiful, beautiful pictures!
I have one in a pot....last year it had one bloom and it was pretty for months! Even after it dried up it was still beautiful.

This year it must have 7 or 8 blooms. I keep trying to decide where to plant it...it has to be a special spot/ha

Unknown said...

Hi Janie,
Love the photos of the hydrangeas! Mine are starting to bloom here, and they are one of my favorites!

Hope all is well with you!

Diane

Nanna said...

beautiful shots of the Hydrangeas ,thanks for shring
Helen

Carolyn said...

These colors are amazing, especially being found in the same place, even the same flower! I have a French Blue that has slowly begun to turn pink, but it's not nearly this pretty.
I also enjoyed your verbena post. such a pretty courtyard and as always, beautiful, beautiful photography.
Carolyn