HYDRANGEAS

Hydrangeas are fascinating in that, unlike most other plants, the color of their flowers can change dramatically. You will have the most control over the color of your hydrangeas when you grow them in containers. It is much easier to control or alter the pH of the soil in a container than it is in the ground.

On the other hand, hydrangeas often change color on their own when they are planted or transplanted. They are adjusting to the new environment. It is not unusual to see several different colors on one shrub the next year after planting.

It is much easier to change a hydrangea from pink to blue than it is from blue to pink. Changing a hydrangea from pink to blue entails adding aluminum to the soil. Changing from blue to pink means subtracting aluminum from the soil or taking it out of reach of the hydrangea. We carry these items to help change your Hydrangea's color.

What about the Deer?

They love narrow-leaf evergreens, especially arborvitae and fir, and show a preference for hostas, daylilies, and English ivy, and do their heaviest browsing from October through February. Although hungry deer will generally eat whatever is within reach, they don't savor garlic, cotoneaster, or hawthorn. And several growers believe that deer seem to prefer plants that have been fertilized.

Although the first rule in deer proofing is that there really are no deer-proof plants, here are some that deer don't seem to enjoy.

• Abies (Fir)
• BarberryAbies (Fir)
• Barberry
• Boxwood
• Red Bud
• Smoke Bush
• Cotoneaster
• Hawthorn
• Broom
• Holly - Certain Varieties)
• Juniper (Certain Varieties)
• Magnolia
• Spruce
• Andromeda
• Pine
• Pyracanther
• Rhododendum
• Lilac
• Vinca Minor
• Yucca

Smelly old shoes can be used as a deterrent to deer. Just stick the shoes on top of tomato sticks, and watch the deer walk a wide circle around them. Most shoes usually last from mid-May until about mid-August.