16 Photos of the Best Flowering Hydrangeas in Poland

The best recipe for success with your beloved plants in the garden is actually the choice of plants itself. If you match the requirements with the conditions of your climate zone and specific conditions you have in your own location, your life would be much easier and your garden much healthier.

I know why we garden lovers too often try to cultivate plants that have little chance to thrive, that struggle to survive the condition and give us little pleasure in return for efforts and money we spend to make them feel comfortable. Why I know? Because been there and done that.

There are three reasons. First we feel almost almighty, so we can change the condition in the garden and make it suitable for the chosen plants. Which partially might be true, but makes gardening more difficult. At the end we can’t win over Mother Nature, she is too powerful.

Second, we are ignorant and make mistakes. I don’t know how it is in your country, but in Poland there is no proper info coming with the plant. In good garden centers there are sometimes trained sales assistants who could be asked and provide accurate information, but most often there is nobody to ask because the employers while reducing the costs, they tend to hire people with less and less expertise, even sometimes nonexistent.

The third reason that comes to my mind is that we are simply, let’s say, in love aka fascinated and obsessed with certain plants and species. In such malignant state that continues sometimes for years, we do not accept facts, but we rather allure ourselves with our dreams and wishes.

I wonder what’s your obsession? I will tell u mine.

For years this were hydrangeas. Particularly Hydrangea macrophylla. I still love them, but I understood that Hydrangea macrophylla will not grow and flower profoundly in my garden, because of climate zone. I am living in 6b zone, where in winter temperature may drop to -30C/-22F. Such temperatures kill the flower buds and large part of the stems.

I tell you what, the sad truth is that there is no perfect winter protection. Using different kinds of winter protections made me save some of the stems and buds, but I was never happy with flowering…. Maybe next year it will be better… I usually thought. But why to wait till next year, while here and today is only thing that matters? It’s been 10 years since I am gardening here and every year, there was hope for next year.

Further recommended reading Heavenly Hydrangeas: A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener

And one day last summer, while traveling to the Western part of Poland, where climate is milder (6a zone) I stopped at the garden with stunning Hydrangea macrophylla flowering!

I couldn’t resist to ring the bell and ask if could take a photo. She was kind to agree, in fact she was very happy to share her pride and beauties with me.

The lady told me she is obsessed with hydrangeas for over 30 years and they always bloomed nicely for her, but she also admitted that this year is simply amazing because of milder winter we had.

She was kind enough to show me inside of the garden, I couldn’t see from the street. I am telling you, it is hydrangeas paradise! I have never seen such hydrangeas bloom in Poland.

Further recommended reading Heavenly Hydrangeas: A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener

So, this is the story of the photos I share today. Seeing such abundance of flowers make me admit to myself that trying to make Hydrangea macrophylla happy in Masovia (Poland)where I live, is a waste of money and time.

But nurseries and professional plant growers will never share this secret.

Further recommended reading Heavenly Hydrangeas: A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener

Further recommended reading Heavenly Hydrangeas: A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener

What Kind of Orchid to Buy as a Gift

Paphiopedilum Orchids (Lady Slippers)

Orchids are quickly becoming one of the most popular indoor plants in the world. They can provide beauty and elegance to any room instantly. With over 20,000 species, you can find an Orchid that will grow well in just about any condition or match just about any design.

Orchids have also become a very popular gift for all occasions. They are typically easy to care for and can be gifted in bloom which will last for several weeks. Once the Orchid stops blooming, it then becomes a houseplant as opposed to a display piece. You do not want to give someone an Orchid that looks great but is impossible to care for without experience.

If you pick up and Orchid at a grocery or gardening store, it will likely be a good Orchid for beginners. Those stores are not going to carry an Orchid that is not meant to be given to someone that has no Orchid growing experience. Nor do they want to deal with the hassle of caring for those difficult Orchids themselves.

Water and Sunlight are the two factors that determine whether or not an Orchid is a good choice for gifting. You don’t want to get someone a gift that needs to be watered three times a day and moved to different locations throughout the day. Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cattleya. andPaphiopedilum Orchids are the three most common Orchids used for gifts.

Paphiopedilum Orchids (Moth Orchids) 

These Orchids are by far the most common Orchids used as gifts, currently. When you think about what an Orchid looks like, you likely think of this kind of Orchid. You can find these in any color except black and blue, and in a plethora of patterns. These Orchids bloom for months at a time and can be placed on display in locations with no light while in bloom.

Moth Orchids need to be in a warm location with plenty of bright indirect sunlight. They do well with the normal temperatures on a house or office as long as they do not receive cool breezes from a window or door. This Orchid needs to be watered every 7 – 10 days and can even be watered with a few ice cubes once a week.

Dendrobium Orchids 

Dendrobium Orchids are very popular as cut flowers in floral arrangements. The flowers last an extended period of time after they are cut and put in a vase. Before Moth Orchids recently became popular, this was the most popular Orchid. This species was used to create most of the hybrid Orchid species and is commonly referred to as the “workhorse of Orchids”

This Orchid can withstand a small amount of direct sunlight, unlike most other Orchids. That being said, it is best if you avoid the direct sun if possible. Dendrobium Orchids need a dryer and more airy growing root system. This means that you should allow the growing medium to dry out some between watering. Water this plant every other week or when the growing medium has been dry for a few days.

Cattleya Orchids 

This Orchid species is a common house plant and is one of the most common flowers used in corsages. They produce large flowers that produce a very strong fragrance when in bloom. They will bloom twice a year if given enough light.

Cattleya Orchids need bright indirect sunlight to encourage flowering. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves of this species very quickly if you are not careful. Water this Orchid every 10 days, letting the growing medium start to dry out between watering.

Paphiopedilum Orchids (Lady Slippers) 

These are one of the most unique looking Orchids that you will see grown as household plants. They grow flowers with a unique pouch that they use to catch and trap insects in the wild. They grow sprouts that only flower once when they are full grown. After those sprouts bloom, they will die and be replaced with new sprouts to start the whole process over again.

Lady Slippers need a good amount of sunlight in order to bloom indoors. They can be placed near a sunny window and slowly adjusted to some direct sunlight. They require about the same amount of light as an African Violate. They typically grow in swamps and other moist areas, so water twice a week to keep moist.

For more great information about types of Orchids, stop by Orchidsplus

Further recommended reading The Orchid Whisperer: Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids

Santolina on my way, gardening in Algarve, Portugal

Santolina is an evergreen scented shrub. Remember to prune it bravely in the spring to maintain the dense shape. Santolina is Mediterranean native plant, but it will survive in cooler climate as well. Tolerates from 6 climate zone. Very popular in UK gardens, not so popular in Algarve.  

Santolina chamaecyparissus can be planted in stone gardens, because in these harsh conditions it will feel very well. Sparse water needs make it great xeriscaping plant.

Photo taken in Loule, Algarve, Portugal.

Apricot Lavender Jam - review, licking fingers...

“Winter will ask where have you been in the summer” – said Ola after she saw me stirring hot cooking jam. “Do you have such proverb, Ewa, in your language?” she asked. “No, we don’t. But I love yours”.

Exactly. Winter will ask, even if I hate thinking that it will come again this year. Where will I be? What I will be doing? Every year I dream to spend my winter in much more pleasant temperatures somewhere more South, I end up in cold of winter. Do you also have such dreams?

Let’s be honest with myself, winter will come inevitably. It’s always great moment when I open the home made jam – the scent of fruits reminds the summer and that’s the moment when I am happy. Happy that I know where I’ve been in the summer. Two days at least. At the stove, stirring the jam and filling the jars. There is a proof. Right in front of me.   

This year I decided to make lavender jam and I searched for new recipe. After I found it I made some lavender harvesting on Saturday morning. I do it with scissors. If you want to know what is the best time to harvest lavender read my post here – it gets lots of attention. 

It turned out that apricot goes well with lavender and I found something very inspiring in the taste promise.  

And… Tadadam! I made it. Double tested by myself and  Joanna – got great scores! Joanna is a cooking fan/specialist/writer, she writes a blog that is about retro style cooking and retro lifestyle.   

Apricot lavender jam gets my full recommendation.

What’s very important, get as ripe apricots as you can get, otherwise your apricot lavender jam might get kinda too sour.  Here is the simple recipe.

 

Apricot Lavender Jam

Ingredients:

2 lbs. ripe fresh apricots

1 lbs. sugar (regular, not jelly sugar, because I don’t trust what producers really add to such mixtures)

 ¼ cup of organic lavender flowers fresh or dried

Pit the apricots and roughly slice the fruit into a pot. Make layers of fruit, lavender flowers and sugar. Cover and allow to macerate overnight or up to 24 hours. There will be some liquid that will appear – that’s fine, it’s the apricot’s juice.
Bring to a boil and skim off the foam that rises. Boil your jam on small flame for 30 minutes, stirring once in a while. I let it too cool down to check how thick it is. If it’s not thick enough, I boil it once again for 20 minutes. Then it’s ready to fill the jars.    

What can you do to prevent a mineral buildup on the jars? Add a splash of vinegar to the water when it’s still cold. Boil filled jars at least ten minutes, get them out and let to cool down. Bon Appetit!

 

Cute Green Living Walls Idea - Creative Clematis Planting

I was taken by surprise on a sunny Thursday morning. After lifted my eyes little bit up, I saw blue ocean of clematis flowers covering a wall. Great idea to mix Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper) with clematis!That's one of a kind creative clematis planting!

Clematis of unknown name feels great with this company. Apparently.

I feel truly inspired and definitely will plant clematis on my walls that are already covered with Virginia creeper, which gives green entire summer and red in the autumn - see its autumn color on one of the photos here.

Do you know maybe what kind of clematis is this?

House in the roses

If you see the wonderful example of house in the roses - like this one on the photos below - you think – why not? Maybe in my garden they can also grow in abundance? And no arbors and not the largest roses in the world...

But there is one problem. What to do when roses stop blooming? They don’t bloom all year round, right? Photos were taken end of May in UK, I wonder how this garden looks today. Possibly some roses are still blooming… but what about November-April?
For this reason I prefer solution roses with lavender, because lavender at least stays in color and nice shape in those dull winter and early spring months.

Aha, when we ear at the roses – little update on my rose gardening. Last week I took some cuttings from my Mary Rose old English rose. My current two Mary Rose shrubs have very undisciplined rootstock which is weakening the original plant.
I know that currently rose producers are producing roses on their own rootstock – there must be a reason. I want to see difference. I don’t hope for too much success in this season. If it doesn’t work now, repeating in May will make no harm, right? Let’s treat it as rose gardening exercise.

I wonder what do you exercise this season?