Dear Hydrangea enthusiasts,
Welcome to the November 2008 newsletter for Hydrangea Plus¨.
WhatÕs HappeningÉ
We hope that you are having a wonderful fall. Weather seems
to be cooperating with hydrangeas around the country with the few exceptions of
early snowfall. WeÕre having a glorious fall here in the Willamette
Valley. ItÕs perfect planting weather in between the sheets of
rain. The hydrangeas are slowly going dormant and the colors are
spectacular. Leaves are turning red and yellow and blooms are getting
redder or greener, depending on the variety.
WeÕve been busy here at the nursery. Plastic is on the shade
houses for a bit of added winter protections, hydrangeas are pruned. I
got the pruning video on YouTube (my user name is HydrangeaLady, just in case
you missed it). IÕve update inventory for the rest of the year and now
IÕm off to finish those 1 year plants (that should be ready for April
shipping).
Hydrangeas Plus Catalog (IX)
IÕve begun the task of 2009 catalog. I always forget this
takes so long. I have so many new pictures that I need to get those
organized before too long.
Shipping schedule
We wonÕt be shipping the week of Thanksgiving. The dates are
November 24th – November 28th.
We hope you all have a happy Turkey Day. Orders processed that
Thanksgiving week will be sent the following week, December 1st and 2nd.
Our 2008 season will come to an end on December 16th and that
will be our last shipping date for 2008. ItÕs always so sad when I say
that. But, weÕll be back in 2009 and begin shipping as soon as the
fingers can stay defrosted enough to wrap the plants. I usually brave the
weather by the end of January.
Final Days of Free Shipping
We are in our final days of the Free Shipping campaign for fall
2008. Get your orders in by November 30th to get
your free shipping discount. This free shipping applies to all orders
over $150. There is a coupon FREE SHIPPING but if you miss it, IÕll
adjust it here at my end.
2009 New Offerings
IÕve been promising the new varieties and here they areÉ
Schizophragma Roseum (pink climber cousin of the hydrangea family)
Macrophylla Jogasaki (double lacecap just exploding with blooms)
Macrophylla Seafoam (lacecap that wants to grow up and be a
mophead)
Macrophylla Brunette (dark red/purple blooms, youÕll have to order
early on this one)
Macrophylla Gerda Steinger (best cut flower in the world!)
Macrophylla MerrittÕs Beauty (reliable bloomer with strong
flowers, strong colors)
Paniculata Pinky winky ª (Indeterminate flowering, new white
blooms at tips while other keep red)
Serrata PainterÕs Pallet (DirrÕs open pollinated seedling,
glorious green and pink lacecap)
Order early or we may run out of these. IÕll get the
pictures and descriptions on the website in December.
Winter Tips
Stay warm! Okay, thatÕs a given. When the temperatures
start dropping, the leaves will begin to drop and thatÕs totally
expected. Most of these cultivars are supposed to do that. They
will still need some water, but much, much less. In warmer climates, the
leaves may not totally drop off but be patient. New leaves will push
those off next spring.
Back to the staying warm comment, some areas where temperatures
drop below 10 degrees, it is a good idea to cover those hydrangeas that bloom
on old wood. The European macrophylla hybrids are particularly sensitive
to drastic changes in temperatures (from cold to warm and warm to cold).
Protect these cultivars with a thermal blanket (waterproof or water
resistant). Tightly woven burlap is also good protection.
In most areas, Arborescens, Oakleaf, Petiolaris and the Paniculata
families will not need protection. These are hardy to zone 4.
For new plantings, it is also a good idea to mulch after leaf
drop. This will give you a few extra weeks to help the roots get
established.
For container plants, be sure that you move them inside or
insulate the containers when temperatures drop below 20 degrees. If you
bring them inside, they will still need to be watered once or twice per
week. The soil should stay just moist (not wet).
Happy Holidays!
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Sincerely,
Kristin VanHoose
Hydrangeas Plus¨