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.