Hydrangeas are blooming in Fearrington Village, brightening shady nooks in the gardens with clusters of pink, blue, green and white blossoms.
A Southern garden staple, Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) bloom throughout the village with panicles of bright white flowers. Dotted here and there under canopy trees, and clustered on the Garden Terrace, their distinctive oak-tree-shaped leaves and elongated cone-like inflorescences add a dimension of shape to their refreshing white color. Native to the Southeast, these shrubs are well adapted to our often challenging garden conditions- Fearrington's gardeners even have happy Oakleaf Hydrangeas in dense pine forests and clay soil at home!
Another versatile native, Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), gives the gardens a soft, old-fashioned feel with rounded, airy clusters of flowers. A variety of cultivars available in shades of white, pink, and green fit into nearly any woodsy garden. Light pink flowers guide visitors along the walk to the restaurant, or provide a background to rest on the rustic stone seats at the Garden Terrace’s fountain. Luminous lime flowers glow under a massive Southern Magnolia, complementing the chartreuse tones of Aralia ‘Sun King' and Aucuba ‘Gold Dust.’
And of course, the spectacular Hydrangea hedge (Hydrangea serrata ‘Tuff Stuff') in front of the restaurant is bursting with all shades of pink, purple, and blue! Opening first with saturated, bold colors, the flowers age gently throughout the summer, fading into soft antiqued pastels. A guest and gardener favorite, this formal yet playful hedge invites a close look at its intricate flower clusters, and many re-visits as it transforms with the season.
Rachael, Fearrington Gardener
The Village Shops are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
