Dear Hydrangea enthusiasts,

 

Welcome to the August 2009 newsletter for Hydrangea Plus®. 

 

What’s Happening…

Can you say hot?  Yes, we could have fried an egg on the sidewalk this week in the Willamette Valley.  It was 107 on Wednesday.  I think that ties our all time record for heat at our nursery.  The water is flowing 24 hours a day and 7 days a week but I think we made it through all right.  We lost a few of the babies but overall, I’m so glad it is only 95 degrees now.  The 95 degrees doesn’t feel so hot anymore after the 107.  If we get to 90 degrees today (August 2nd), it is a new record for most consecutive days above 90 degrees.  And, yes, the weatherman has predicted 90.

 

We are diligently doing the grow dance on those 2 year and 3 year plants that are out of stock.  Despite the heat, the plants are looking just fabulous.  We are grooming them and fertilizing them right now so they will be just perfect in a month or so. 

 

Heat and humidity really take a toll on hydrangeas.  You may notice the color changes speed up in such conditions.  It’s important to water every day, maybe twice a day in the heat.  Avoid fertilizing or adding amendments in the heat.  They tend to release faster and there is a chance that it will burn your plants.

 

Garden Excavation

We are really going to do it this time.  We have a wonderful garden setting and have begun the time consuming task to get that garden growing.  We have removed the trees (thanks to our trusty webmaster and his ever useful friends) and this month we begin the WALL.  Yes, we must prevent some erosion at the same time but it’s the perfect excuse to rejuvenate our garden and grow some hydrangeas for visitors to see.

 

FaceBook

Welcome new Facebook subscribers.  We have catapulted to over 1300 fans in the last month and we are thrilled. Yes, we are online and jumping into this new mode of information.  First YouTube and now this!  Join us for updates, information, interesting happenings and other hydrangea news.  Just search for Hydrangeas Plus or go to http://www.facebook.com/hydrangeasplus.   Just search for hydrangeasplus on Facebook and become a fan. 

 

LeTour Des Plants – September 12th – 20th, 2009

It is that wonderful time of the year and here in Oregon, fall is a wonderful time to plant hydrangeas.  The Oregon Association of Nurseries is presenting the tour again this year.  In case you haven’t heard, this is a self-guided tour of garden centers and nurseries in Oregon and SW Washington.  Visit the website at http://www.letourdesplants.com for other participating members.  Here is our schedule for the event.

 

Weekdays:  Noon to 4pm

Weekends:  10:00am to 5:00pm

Everyday special – Free Hydrangeas Plus® fertilizer or lime with every $50 purchase

 

Saturday, September 12th – Kickoff for the LeTour Des Plants

Opening day contest – enter to win $100 Gift Certificate for Hydrangeas Plus

 

10:00am – Cut hydrangea demonstration by Kristin, get those beautiful blooms to last

 

1:30pm – Select and Grow kiwi in the northwest with Paul Simmons of KM Farms.  Paul is our local Kiwi grower and honey maker and he will have honey to taste and purchase.  Paul will discuss kiwi, honey and bees.

 

2:00pm – Stump the hydrangea experts – Kristin, Scott and Paul will be our expert panel.  Bring your cuttings, blooms or leaves and we’ll try to guess the cultivar, or at least narrow it down.

 

2:30pm – Guided Tour of the Nursery with Scott Christy of Terra Nova nurseries.  Scott has a passion for hydrangeas and come share his knowledge as we walk through the nursery.  Scott was recently promoted to the Sales Manager at the cutting edge nursery, Terra Nova, Canby, Oregon.

 

Sunday, September 13th

1:00pm, 2:00pm and if anyone asks -  Hydrangea pruning demonstration with Kristin, find out how to prune without losing your hydrangea blossoms for next summer.

 

Saturday, September 19th

10:00am – Cut flower demonstration and pruning demonstration by Kristin

2:00pm – Nursery tour with Kristin

 

Sunday, September 20th

1:00pm, 2:00pm and if anyone asks -  Hydrangea pruning demonstration with Kristin

 

Hydrangeas will be 20 to 30% off retail catalog prices here at Hydrangeas Plus®.  Please come visit us and pickup a new hydrangea or two.

 

Fall Specials coming

We are already trying to figure out our fall blowout specials.  Check the website on August 26th and I’ll announce the earth shattering, ground breaking special for fall.  I hope to have new offerings at that time.  I’m working on a few special ones but I’m not sure I will have access to the plants until the spring.

 

Working and office schedule

We will be out of the office this week.  We are taking our first ever week long vacation.  I’ll be checking emails daily and phone messages not so often but will try.  Our next ship date will be Tuesday, August 11th. 

 

Hydrangeas Plus® important dates for your calendar – more details on the website

Here at the nursery

LeTour des Plants – September 12th – September 20th

 

Speaking engagements

Hardy Plants Society Genus Species (Portland OR)– August 11th, 6pm

 

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Sincerely,

Kristin VanHoose

Hydrangeas Plus®

http://www.hydrangeasplus.com