I thought you all might be interested in the hydrangeas my wife photographed at a castle garden in western Ireland. This garden was right outside our (hotel) window. I have never seen these colors before and I wish she had taken more pics. I know that one controls the pink and blue by varying the acid but all this area is covered in peat and thus highly acidic. The pictures don't portray the vivid colors as much as I would wish since her camera is not what you would call "high-caliber".

Ken

So beautiful, Ken, and unique. Thanks for sharing.

My across the street neighbor has these blooming in summer:


But now that it's fall, I gathered these same blooms from the same bushes for drying:


Here they were again, back earlier in the summer:


I think the end of the season temperature change might make a difference, not sure.

Stunning!!! Thanks for sharing.

That's a really eye opening set of pictures Ken. I've seen some variations in colors but had no idea color combinations like those existed.

Ireland is the only place I have seen these colors and I only saw them near the western coast of Ireland, literally growing on a thick layer of peat, the natural "soil" in this area.


The view of our castle hotel where the hydrangeas were seen.

Idyllic doesn't do it justice I'll wager. By the way, I meant to commend your wife on her photos. They're vibrant enough that I can't image what they were like for real.

Please submit them to the database. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea) Use Plant ID: 232782 or I can import them if that's OK?

Wow nice to see these flowers. Your photo is really awesome. I love your idea how you us the flowers in you photography I really appreciated your work.

Thanks for your nice post, JuanaJennifer. Check out www.tropicalplantsandmore.com and tell me what you think of my just updated web site. I need feedback to know whether I am on the right track or not.

Ken Ramsey, Certified Mississippi Master Gardener

Ken, those are beautiful hydrangeas, lovely colors.

Nice looking site Ken! Pics really pop. Easy to navigate.

Thanks for your feedback, Evan. I appreciate you taking the time to check out my website, www.tropicalplantsandmore.com and evaluate it for me. Every bit if critique, good and bad, is helpful. Ken

Ken, very nice site, love all of your beautiful orchids.

Thanks for taking the time to evaluate it for me, mcash70. Much appreciated. Ken

That is an attractive site.
If I were into growing and collecting orchids----I would be ordering from there!

Thanks for the kind words, Caroline. It's never too late to start! LOL

Drooling into my coffee over those photographs! I like the simple darker background--really makes the colors of the blooms stand out. Good information presented in an accessible format.

Thanks, LMH. I built a "light-box" or whatever the professional photography people call it. It has two translucent side panels and interchangeable back panels that are opaque (white or black). Each panel is 24" wide and 32" high, so it will handle a pretty large plant. The "floor" is flat black. I can either use it with natural (east exposure) light or use two miniature flood lights. I just took this pic of my 'Emerald Isle' using the light-box. I am using 9:30 AM, natural (east) light. I am still experimenting on what works best - lighting/aperature/exposure time/zoom.

This 'Emerald Isle' originally had three buds but while transporting the plant for a local garden club presentation, two of the buds broke off. I now know to bubble-wrap the buds/flowers to prevent this from happening again. This plant was a division taken from a "mother" plant in January, 2012. The mother plant had 34 blooms, and was in constant bloom from the end of August, 2011, until the end of December, 2011. These flowers are very fragrant. This particular flower is now three weeks old and still looks wonderful. I sell these particular divisions on my web site.

'Emerald Isle', 6-7" diameter, fragrant flower

Ken, that is a beautiful bloom and a great photo!!