Hydrangeas and lilies

Hydrangeas are pink in alkaline, chalky soils and blue in acidic soils, just the opposite of litmus! They like a cool spot in the garden, sheltered from the midday summer sun. Ours have to make do with full sun, and can get a little burnt on a hot summer's day.

This delphinium is a few years old now, and is competing with a viburnum for space. The green viburnum berries set it off nicely, though.

I love miniature maples, and this one was damaged in a winter storm the year I bought it, destroying its symmetry. So now it lives up against a hedge.

These hardy lilies seem to thrive on neglect, and have been in the same pot for several years now.