Plant of the Month- Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, with their pink or blue cloud-shaped flowers and large, soft-green leaves, compose images of lazy summers in the shade. However, this describes only one plant, the bigleaf hydrangea, in a large and varied group. All hydrangeas are resilient and hardy plants for southern landscapes.

Most people are familiar with the large, showy pink or blue flowers of the bigleaf, or French, hydrangea, but look at the entire genus to find a variety of shrub sizes, textures, flower shapes, and colors. (article continues at Hydrangeas - Alabama Cooperative Extension System (aces.edu) (Find a display of oakleaf hydrangea alongside the Basilica-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Dauphin Street in Mobile) By Carol Williams