Throwback to…6 Months Ago

Chris Mousseau

This Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ – or just Annabelle Hydrangea – started life in my garden about six years ago as a five inch cutting favoured by rabbits in the winter (even though literature suggests otherwise). It didn’t grow much its first five years; however, and I transplanted it in the autumn of 2023. Last summer, it was much happier, more than tripling the number of branches and flowers. Of course, the wet spring may have had something to do with that! This is a great species because it flowers on new wood, meaning I can prune it close to the ground in late winter and it will flower from the tips of new branches. Even though it seems to be suckering from the roots, so the clump itself will grow, it will never get tall enough to overwhelm its garden neighbours. This photo was taken exactly six months ago – June 28, 2024.

A small Annabelle Hydrangea with white mop-head flowers in full bloom.

Each Saturday this winter I’ll post an image or two taken last summer. I found that 2024 sped by so quickly and was filled with so many events, both happy and sad, that I feel I didn’t have time to simply enjoy it – especially the garden. And so I’d like, for just a few moments a week this winter, to pretend it’s still summer. To remember and re-live for an instant the sun’s warmth, the insect and birdsong, the heavy fragrances on humid, moist, slow moving air. Feel free to join me! I’m going to try to find photos I haven’t already shared, which may prove difficult, I know, and just write a line or two of explanation.

13 Comments

  1. Soon, Annabelle will be growing and showing you just how happy she is that you transplanted her. She reminds me of a Witherod vibernum, growing in our woods. Have a wonderful 2025, with lots of garden time!

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  2. Posting pretty summer photos allows us to remember the beautiful days, but we already gain a few minutes of light each day, so I send you this positive signal to wish you a very happy (early) new year 2025.

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  3. Great minds, thinking alike! I’m so glad that you’ll be posting regularly in the new year. I so enjoy your photos, and the occasional paths they send me down. Hydrangeas always remind me of my childhood home. There were large bushes on either side of the front steps, and more than a few photos have my cousins and me standing in front of them.

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    1. You’re very kind 😊 There seems to have been a resurgence of interest in the large, round, white hydrangeas here…too much, possibly, but I can picture wide concrete steps, possibly painted, with the shrub on either side….something my grandparents might have had in their small town small home yard…

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  5. I inherited an Annabelle with the house 34 years ago. It has spread into a large hedge. We cut it to the ground every fall as it is where the driveway snow goes and every summer it grows 5′ tall with huge flower heads up to 10″ across. I don’t fertilize or give it extra water, yet it grows profusely every year!

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