Winter Blossoms

With winter upon us, it is often hard to see the beauty in the landscape. But if you like to extend the seasonal interest in your garden, some of us keep a flower’s faded blossoms intact during the winter months. Take for instance Hydrangeas. Deadheading its faded flowers is subjective but if you prefer something sculptural, it is recommended you leave a few of these faded blossoms until late winter/early spring. At that time, you can thin out its stems and give your Hydrangeas its complete seasonal pruning. 

Here’s a little tidbit about where many flowering plants store its energy supply. Open up the stem of a Hydrangea and the pith, the cavity in the middle is where its spring start-up food is stored. Because of this much needed energy for the plant to rejuvenate itself, you do not want to prune your Hydrangeas until the real chill of winter has past. If nature hasn’t already removed the faded blossoms left on its branches, you can deadhead those extra showy puffs of magic when you do its pruning come early spring. 

Why did I choose archived images and tips about Hydrangeas today? It is the 14th day of 26 days of kindness to honor Jack Pinto. He loved sports, especially football. He also enjoyed baseball, basketball, skiing and wrestling. On this overcast December morning, remember your gifts of kindness, especially as we approach the heart of winter. 

Darrell Royal reminds us, "The only place you can win a football game is on the field, the only place you can lose it is in your hearts.” Event and FB Page for the 26 days of kindness.


Images by Ann Bilowz/Greg Bilowz ©  

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