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Hail Hydra!

7/28/2023

If you’ve ever grown hydrangeas, you know they crave one element more than any others: water. With “hydra” as part of their name, you can probably guess they are not drought-tolerant plants. Plus, their shallow root systems lose moisture quickly. On average, hydrangeas need water at least every other day, and deep watering once/week.

BUT…some varieties can do better in the hot, rainless, dog days of summer than others. Try these Zone 3-8 options:

Vanilla-Strawberry. These enormous, fast-growing beauties have heavy stems, and are the one of the hardiest varieties you can plant in mostly-full sun. If you go out of town and miss the watering schedule, they won’t droop or drop their bi-colored blooms.
Bobo. If you’re looking for a smaller/compact hydrangea on a woody stem, this is an excellent option. Because their forms are dense, compact and shrub-like, they shade their own roots, helping them maintain moisture and keep those white blooms happy.
Quick Fire. Super-hardy and tree-like in stem and growth, this stunner will surprise you throughout the season with ever-changing bloom colors. On the rare occasion it wilts, a slow, deep watering springs it back promptly. Also available in dwarf variety.
Little Lime. Small but mighty, this beauty wows with chartreuse blooms, brightening to white, then pink, then burgundy throughout the season. All this drama happens on sturdy stems that actually benefit from soil drying out to two inches! Bonus: They work well in containers.

So if you’re in the market for hydrangeas—but worry about watering needs—choose panicle varieties like these. Then relax on your porch, deck or garden bench and enjoy the show!

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The early guest gets the chores

7/3/2023

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Click the photo to watch Christine's YouTube Shorts series on chores for guests ▶

If you’re a seasoned party host, you dread that doorbell about 15 minutes before the first guest is due to arrive. Why? Because it’s 15 minutes before the first guest is supposed to arrive, and you’re in the zone! You’re mentally checking off to-do items, tidying up the kitchen, checking your lipstick, and generally attempting to adopt a serene look that says, “We were just sitting around, sipping champagne, killing time.” *DING-DONG* will clang all over your forced serenity.

To adapt smoothly to early guests, I leave a few easy chores undone. That way, when your early guest asks, “How can I help?” …you’re ready to assign these duties.

Light candles. Hand over that butane torch, demonstrate it once, and let your guest go all pyro! Once the tabletop candles are aflame, send them on a scavenger hunt all over the house to light any wick they find.
Put ice in drinking glasses. The best ice comes from filtered freezer water. Hand over a pitcher, demonstrate dispersal, and let the cubes fly! Bonus: Ice shooting out of the dispenser is irritatingly loud, killing conversation and letting you get back to your mental checklist.
Open red wine to breathe. Opening a wine bottle is a 3-step process: cut the foil, insert the opener, pull out the cork. If you’re offering a wine-and-cheese appetizer, opening several bottles could easily use up sacred pre-party minutes.

Not every party guest is comfortable milling about, making small talk at party kickoff. This is a great time to let them:

Take coats and bags. Whether you have a handy coat closet or simply put items in a bedroom, guests will appreciate the “coat check” offer and beeline right to the appetizer.
Take drink orders. Not only will your guests like the personal touch of being asked “Would you prefer red or white wine?” …this helps a shy guest engage with everyone at the party from the start.

During the party, an antsy or bored guest might need a job. They might like to:

Refresh the serving bowls. If you’re a great cook, guests will want seconds. Don’t fret over a guest who wants to top off those delectables.
Refill beverage pitchers. Animated conversation makes for thirsty guests! You won’t have to miss a word if a guest keeps the beverages flowing.

When the party starts to wind down, but a few guests linger in deep conversation, a spouse/partner/child might need a task to stay engaged. Consider letting them:

Scrape plates. Your sinks will be full, so steer a helpful guest to the trash can and let the scraping begin.
Sort silverware from plates. Your cleanup process may be specific, but even a child can safely sort dirty forks and spoons into a container.
Store leftover food. Have your storage containers ready and hand over this irritating task. You’re less likely to just dump it out because you’re too tired to care.

Bottom line: A great host can do it all, no help needed. But a savvy host is always ready to engage guests in every situation, ensuring each attendee feels welcomed and appreciated from the first DING-DONG!

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Hail Hydra!

The early guest gets the chores

Click the photo to watch Christine's YouTube Shorts series on chores for guests ▶

Christine Schaub

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