Finally!

Our hydrangea bushes have finally bloomed!

About eight years ago we planted three blue hydrangea bushes in our front yard, and for years and years we didn't get one flower.  Someone suggested putting pine needles under them to add some acidity to the soil, so I tried that, among other things.  Not one bloom until.........  Two years ago, we got One Flower!!!  

One Total flower from the three bushes.  That's right, Not one each.   We Loved that flower.  We talked to that flower, we sang to that flower, we gloried in that One flower.

We watched it grow and at the end of the season I pruned it, and took the bloom inside.  Although it's a little crunchy and not as colorful, I still have it.  We thought - Finally - There's hope!  Maybe next year they will take off and we will have more blooms. Then Last year.... Well, not even One flower appeared!!  So much for all of those terrific tips I tried.  But This year.......... 

The glory has returned and all three have an abundance of beautiful blue blooms.

I found this great blog that's called HYDRANGEAS! HYDRANGEAS! that has suggestions on when and how to prune your hydrangeas for the best results.  I plan to check it out myself.  Maybe there's hope for next year....  But for now, we have a lot of singing to do.