Sun Valley Group: Hydrangea Roll-Out

We're excited here in the Pacific Northwest, and that's because June marks the arrival of a very special crop — Hydrangea! Because these versatile blooms are picky in their growing requirements, there aren't many places in the United States where they can flourish, which make them an extra special, seasonal must-have!

Here, on the Northern California coast, we've been growing this crop for several years and are well-acquainted with what it needs to flourish.  With that in mind, we've had the freedom to play with our crops over the years — trying different varieties, colors, sizes, and growing practices to achieve the absolute best hydrangea — and from looking at this year's crop, I think we've found it!

First, the varieties we're growing are producing some amazing colors.  Walking through one of our hydrangea hoops is quite the kaleidoscopic journey.  Opal, in particular, shows off several different shrubs of  lavender, pink, and blue blooms (see photo above), while Amethyst, true to its name, looks like a semi-precious stone, dappled with green, blue, lavender, and pink on one single flower (photo at right). Not to mention the fantastical green and white variety, Noblesse, which features ruffled edges of each floret and complimentary blue-purple eyes (photo below). 

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Sun Valley Group's Flower Talk