While driving around the coast

I fell I love once again with all the hydrangeas that seem to grow so effortlessly out East. Everywhere you look there are borders, rows, even entire plots overflowing with the blue beauties! Here in the Midwest we have a much harder time with the colored hydrangeas. (or at least I do) I planted one last year that promised massive pink blooms and it has yet to bloom. I also have a hedge of white Hydrangeas in my front yard, and they are lovely too, it's just that I want the blue ones. A few summers ago one of our friends turned his flowers blue by pouring a little uric acid around his flowers. He gave me some, and I went right home and doused my plants, imagining to myself the reponse I would elicit from my neighbors. I imagined that when I woke the next morning they would all be crowded around my front lawn, amazed at my gardening prowess.

I was so sure and proud of myself, that I was totally unprepared for what I saw in the morning. Nothing but brown, burned remnants of plants, where once huge white blooms and lush green leafs had been. Once again, "Pride goes before a fall."

This year I will just enjoy my white flowers, and maybe someday I can change my zip code.........