The human capacity to believe something just because someone who is supposed to know tells them it's true amazes me. Not just in politics, but in gardening as well.
Last year, I ordered a purple lilac from Spring Hill Nursery. I received the little plant, clearly labeled "LILAC." I planted it in the ground and worried that it wouldn't survive. Then one day in late spring, it greeted me with some beautiful white blooms. Not being all that familiar with lilacs, I thought that maybe it would turn purple later. The thought "That looks a lot like a hydrangea" did drift briefly through my synapses. But I had bought a lilac; Spring Hill had sent me a lilac; This had to be a lilac. I thought no more about it.
Until you all started questioning my plant's identity. I looked more carefully. I compared my photo to pictures of white lilacs and white hydrangeas. And guess what? It's a dad-gum hydrangea! Of course, it is.
White Hydrangea
White Lilac
My misidentified hydrangea
Well, I love hydrangeas, so I'm not sending it back or anything. Especially since it seems to be doing so well. I don't have great luck with plants and gardening, so when I have one that's thriving, I'm gonna let 'er thrive.
I'm going to work some more on my Blocks of the Month today. I'm really having fun with them.
Oh, and P.S. The Mystery at Lilac Inn was one of the first Nancy Drew Books I ever read. I now collect vintage Nancy Drews.
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On 07/26/2011, Sherry from Alabama said ...
Your plant is beautiful no matter what its name is. I think I've read that the color of a hydrangea is determined by what kind of soil it's planted in. It has something to do with the amount of acid in the soil which you can control. You might be able to have a purple hydrangea.
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
On 07/26/2011, Julie in WA said ...
I thought it was awfully late in the season for a lilac to be blooming!
You are a delightfully creative writer!
On 07/26/2011, Barbara Anne said ...
I also wondered how a lilac could be blooming there when ours finished blooming more than a month ago.
Have you considered contacting Spring Hill Nursery and reporting this unexpected outcome? Perhaps they'd send you that lilac as they should have to start with.
Hugs!
On 07/26/2011, Mona said ...
Hydrangeas are one of my very favorite flowers. So not a loss at all for you. But glad you know now. lol I loved Nancy Drew! I used to wake up early in the morning to read them as that was the only quiet time. I just recently pulled one out to read again. Loved your post, as usual. Mona
On 07/26/2011, Karen said ...
Oh, I'm not telling you my sources for vintage Nancy Drews. :) But I have a recurring theme in my dreams where I find a bookstore that has original editions that I need for my collection and titles I've never heard of before!
On 07/26/2011, Karen said ...
And I should have mentioned I have a bumper crop of larkspur this summer which remind me of "The Password to Larkspur Lane" every time I go out to the garden. :)
On 07/26/2011, Donna said ...
Well Susan ... your hydrangea is pretty!
On 07/26/2011, Joanne Cage said ...
I thought it looked a lot like a hydrangea, but decided I'm not qualified to comment on flowers. I can kill a plant by looking at it. Anyway it's a beautiful flower.
On 07/26/2011, Sandy said ...
I agree, if a plant takes hold and grows, it stays where it is..
Did you make your UFO list through the blogger fields of info?
On 07/26/2011, Deb Price said ...
It's still a gorgeous flower, no matter the name! I loved Nancy Drew and so have my girls. Did you know that there have been several authors that have written Nancy Drew? One of them is Susan Albert Witting, whom I have had the pleasure to meet twice. I think she may have also written for the Hardy Boys, but that might have been her husband.
Hugs...
On 08/02/2011, Mama Pea said ...
I love hydrangeas, too, so I'd keep it, too! And I LOVE Nancy Drew books. Sure wish I'd have kept all mine.
On 08/04/2011, Kathy said ...
What a funny post! I am so glad you like your hydrangea! THey are lovely plants. Where I live in Wisconsin, lilacs are more tolerant of the winters than the hydrangea plants. By the way, I loved Nancy Drew stories when I was in grade school. I had so many of them. My mom would probably love it if I took them out of her house!
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