The rules for posting are simple!

1. Every Friday post a photo that includes one or more flowers.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a link to this blog in your post - http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/
4. Leave the link to your FloralFridayFoto post below on inlinkz.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

When to Post:
inlinkz will be available every Thursday and will remain open until the next Wednesday.

Thursday 3 March 2016

FFF224 - HYDRANGEA

Hydrangea (common names hydrangea or hortensia) is a genus of 70-75 species of flowering plants native to southern and eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, the Himalayas, and Indonesia) and the Americas. By far the greatest species diversity is in eastern Asia, notably China, Japan, and Korea. Most are shrubs 1 to 3 meters tall, but some are small trees, and others lianas reaching up to 30 m by climbing up trees. They can be either deciduous or evergreen, though the widely cultivated temperate species are all deciduous.

Having been introduced to the Azores, H. macrophylla is now very common, particularly on Faial, which is known as the "blue island" due to the vast number of hydrangeas present on the island. Species in the related genus Schizophragma, also in Hydrangeaceae, are also often known as hydrangeas. Schizophragma hydrangeoides and Hydrangea petiolaris are both commonly known as climbing hydrangeas.

There are two flower arrangements in hydrangeas. Mophead flowers are large round flowerheads resembling pom-poms or, as the name implies, the head of a mop. In contrast, lacecap flowers (shown here) bear round, flat flowerheads with a centre core of subdued, fertile flowers surrounded by outer rings of showy, sterile flowers. The flowers of some rhododendrons can appear similar to those of some hydrangeas, but Rhododendron (including azaleas) is in a different order.

In most species the flowers are white, but in some species (notably H. macrophylla), can be blue, red, pink, light purple, or dark purple. In these species the colour is affected by soil pH. For H. macrophylla and H. serrata cultivars, the flower colour can be determined by the relative acidity of the soil: An acidic soil (pH below 6) will usually produce flower colour closer to blue, whereas an alkaline soil (pH above 6) will produce flowers more pink. This is caused by a colour change of the flower pigments in the presence of aluminium ions which can be taken up into hyperaccumulating plants.

Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so.
If you take part in the meme, please show an active link back to this site on your own blog post!

22 comments:

  1. Hi Everyone, I have been having a very hectic week and have been remiss in visiting your posts from last week. This does not mean I do not appreciate them and I shall get back to viewing your wonderful contributions as soon as I can!
    IN the meantime, keep on taking those snaps and don;t forget to stop every now and then and smell the roses...

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  2. hydrangea time is a happy time

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  3. I have this potted Hydrangnea now for almost 3 years, and it survived the move from a hot Southern Calif. to the much cooler regions and higher altitude - am amazed at the hardiness. Right now the leaves are coming back and expecting another bloom:)
    I would love to see one of your images on my new meme called SEASONS Mon-Wed. till 7 pm (Pacific time) -anything during the season goes:) Hope you'll join in, and have a great weekend!

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  4. Just love these hydrangeas!

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  5. Dear Nick!

    I love hydrangeas in blue. Very beautiful!
    But in Austria is winter and I have to wait a few months.
    Greetings,
    Ingrid

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    1. I hope you get some Spring flowers in Austria soon, Ingrid!

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  6. Wonderfully vibrant colours here Nick.

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  7. Your hydrangea is incredible, what a gorgeous color and a lovely photo. Thank you for linking with Today's Flowers Nick and have a great weekend :)

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  8. I love this flower and see many colors of the blooms here in New Zealand. The color you captured is awesome.

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  9. Heisann... wonderful color - have a nice weekend ;:OD)

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  10. I like the color, it's stunning!
    Have a nice weekend, Nick ... Frauke

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  11. Lovely photo. Hydrangeas are such a rewarding thing to plant - they're lovely year-round.
    I hope you'll come share at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-walls-of-san-juan.html

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  12. Nick, never feel the need to apologize for a busy life. Impressive blue. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. What an amazing colour.......
    I love it.....

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  14. Your hydrangea are beautiful! They are such a wonderful and versatile plant that can be used in a number of garden styles, from a formal foundation planting to an informal cottage style garden. Your post gives a nice description of the different species and is very informative...bravo!

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  15. I haven't ever seen hydrangea like that! They're now my favorite kind. Thank you so fairy much for hosting!

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  16. It is a flower much seen (here) in may till late in autumn! Very beautiful and decorative for gardens!
    Greetings in March!

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  17. Oh my, this is one of my ever time loves !! I've a pink one in my garden and I love it so much. 10 year and nothing but since 2 years she's so breathtaking blooming and but your blue one ... just stunning. Thanks a lot Nick and wish you a very happy, healthy and sunny March my friend.

    hugs _i.

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