Our ‘Blushing Bride’ hydrangea has appeared in numerous vases over the year. Its blossoms are now fading into the fall, but they have retained a certain beauty as they age.
My Arranger thinks they deserve to be seen in these very last days of summer, and I do agree with her as they are taking on a blushingly pink hue.
I have paired it with an antique photo of my great-great grandmother, Rebecca Marie Dawson Duckworth (1824-1893), taken rather late in her life. I am confident that my great-great grandfather was convinced that she was still a beauty, even in her twilight years. She was the seventh generation and last Dawson on my family tree.
The idea for this weekly sharing of something from our gardens comes from Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Please visit her and see what she and others are sharing this week.
A Walk in the Garden 
John: You are so fortunate to have a photo of your great-great grandmother Rebecca! She eclipses your vase of hydrangeas, I have to tell you.
I have no such photos, so I appreciate yours even more. My African ancestors were enslaved at the time (or just being freed) and had no photos, and the European ancestors didn’t leave any photos behind.
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Thank you, Cynthia. I feel fortunate to have a lot of old family photos…all eight of my great grandparents and three of my great-greats. As I get older, they become more precious and I hope those who come after me will appreciate them as well.
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Your arranger was right the Hydrangeas deserved their place in today’s vase. The photograph is the perfect, eye catching accompaniment.
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Thank you, Christina. We are in a time of transition.
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It’s wonderful to watch them change color throughout the season!
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I suppose that’s why they named it ‘Blushing Bride.’
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The hydrangea is lovely through all its phases. Wonderful photo you shared.
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Thanks, Susie. I hope you are getting the rain that has been passing us by.
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John, sorry to hear the rain passed you by. We did indeed get a nice rain, but now just clouds without the benefit.
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Lovely. Your hydrangeas have been wonderful all summer, they deserve a last moment of fame before fading completely!
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You are so kind. Thank you, Cathy.
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Oh the photograph is such a good accompaniment to the fading beauty of the hydrangea and your comments about your great great grandfather are so touching – such a lovely post, John
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I love old photos – and I adore that frame – it’s perfect for your great-great grandmother. I do wonder what our ancestors in the nineteenth century would think of all the grinning selfie 21st century shots.
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Thanks, Sarah. I am probably one of the few smart phone holders who has never done a selfie. Must be a generational thing. By the way, was your father in foreign service in Japan?
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