Why aren’t my Hydrangeas the Color Blue?
Hydrangeas, always a favorite for garden enthusiasts, are unique in that the color of their flowers change dramatically. First, let’s clarify that the hydrangea in question are the hydrangea macrophylia, often called Mophead due to their large rounded blooms. These are the “bush form” hydrangea, as opposed to tree form, which typically have white to light green blooms. The most common variety of Mophead hydrangea, Endless Summer, is easily found in local nurseries and is the most popular due to the claim that the plant will continuously bloom all season. There is a second hydrangea macrophylia, Lacecaps that stay white. The color question is likely the most frequent query addressed to the gardeners from Terrapin Landscapes. The question typically revolves around the fact that the blooms are a vibrant blue upon purchase, but it’s often noted that they start to turn pink as the plant gets older. So why the color change, and what can be done about it? Hardy in zones 6 through 10, hydrangeas tend to be a bit fussy about where they live. The color is in the soil. So, what is it that allows us, as gardeners, to alter the color of our Hydrangea...
read moreTerrapin Sets Maine Flower Show Award Record
The 2018 Maine Flower Show Last month, we participated in the Maine Flower Show on Thompson’s Point. We really enjoy showing off our landscape expertise to many Mainer’s who are itching to see green grass and blossomed flowers. This year the theme was “Rooted in Maine.” A concept that evoked our desire to showcase the pride we have in our craftsmanship and horticulture activity. Our goal was to create a dining space that transported the visitor to a bouldered oasis at the base of their favorite Maine mountain, whether that be Cadillac or Bradberry. The stonework provided the framework for a landscape engulfed innative plants and trees, while the hand-carved bird bath boulder allowed the bystander to envision a place of respite for animals and avium, alike. At the end of the weekend, Terrapin Landscapes and partners walked away with six awards which set a new Maine Flower Show record! If you were at the show, you were able to read the description of the display, if you missed it, here is what the display read; “Maine is a unique place that is defined by rugged beauty and the character of its people and their traditions. The tools of...
read moreFall Garden Clean Up – WINTER IS COMING!!!
I know it’s overused at this point, but it’s a phrase that jangles around in my head every morning as I watch the weather forecast and plant my day. As a gardener, weather rules my day to day life and this fall it has been a little difficult to get all of my fall tasks planned and then executed with all the rain. But rain or no, it’s time to put our summer gardens to bed for the season, assess what we have (and what we’d like to add) and set ourselves up for happy healthy gardens next spring. In my opinion, fall is arguable the most important gardening season we people in New England have. Good preparation now can save us loads of time and effort in the spring. Here’s a basic checklist of what I look for and do in fall gardens. As I cut back all my soft perennials, I’m mindful of how the plant will regrow next year and I cut the stems to a length I know won’t interfere with next year’s growth or leave me with a mess at the base of the plants that come up. It’s much more time consuming to...
read moreTerrapin Wins Best in Show!
The 2017 Maine Flower Show was a success for Terrapin. When Terrapin Landscapes was asked to build a display at The Maine Flower Show, there was no hesitation. It sounded like a lot of fun to do what you love and showcase it. The time and effort that went into this by our staff was immeasurable, but we were right… they truly enjoyed it! We are thankful for each of them and are proud of what they accomplished. As a result, Terrapin Landscapes took home 3 awards from the judges: Best Use of Native Plants, Best Theme and Best in Show! The display was titled ‘Somewhere in Maine’ and the description below says it perfectly because it truly felt like you could have been anywhere in our beautiful state of Maine… “Maine is known for its jagged, rocky coastline, low rolling mountains, heavily forested interior, and picturesque granite and spruce covered islands. This garden design was meant to encourage the sustainable utilization of the unique characteristics of Maine. The use of native plants and natural occurring stone is intended to create a landscape that works in harmony with Maine’s natural richness to not only provide relaxation, but also encourage long...
read moreGood Fences Make Good Neighbors
The old expression still rings true, but it’s only half the story. A fence is not strictly a perimeter that surrounds a property or divides one back yard from another. This may be true in tight spaces where separation or buffering is not possible with planting making a fence the only option. The full story is that in creative landscape design, fences play a more diverse role. They can create a dramatic backdrop for plantings or provide a structure for plants to climb on. Used in this way, the fence becomes a “Vertical Garden” which can be used in areas where a traditional garden is not possible. Fences are often used to keep children and pets safe, but they are a perfect example of a functional element that can become fashionable through good design. Here in Maine, we can have Mother Nature play a role in the usefulness of a fence. It can become barely visible in some seasons or a highlighted design element in others. Fencing can be constructed to compliment any design theme or home improvement trend. Pergolas, arbors, and trellises also provide artistic and functional elements to your yard or garden. These garden structures accent entrances,...
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