Linda Shapiro's Page

About Linda Shapiro

About Me:: I am Founder and President of The Blue Ridge Hydrangea Society, and am a florist.. Please see the Blue Ridge Hydrangea Society's website at www.blueridgehydrangeasociety.org. We invite you to attend our meetings, please see our Calendar of Events for programs on hydrangeas for your gardening pleasure. I have been interviewed several times on WLOS TV News by Bob Caldwell regarding hydrangea care, the videos appear on the website along with my bio.. I have lectured at the NC Mountain State Flower and Gardens Shows, and am honored to have lectured at Master Gardener meetings and Garden Clubs. I have been growing hydrangeas for over 20 years and presently have approximately 300 hydrangeas in my garden and still adding on. Love meeting people who love hydrangeas and gardening in general.

At 12:41am on June 5th, 2008, Polly McDaniel said…: Glad to let readers know about your events, Linda. You have such a passion for what you do and the knowledge, too.
To start your own blog, look at your own page here and see the place that says either "start blog" or "add blog post." Click on it and type away.
I am sorry about your mother's illness. It must be very difficult. GardenAsheville is a place to find friends, and maybe some support along the way. All my best to you.

At 12:15am on June 1st, 2008, Polly McDaniel said…: Hi Linda, I am more than happy to promote all the gardening events that come my way at the paper, including yours. The only hydrangea I grow is an oakleaf variety, and it does well, but I'm really interested in the blue flowering kinds. I just don't know where to start with them really.

At 10:49pm on May 31st, 2008, Polly McDaniel said…: Linda, it would be so great for you to start a blog on hydrangea-growing tips. Click on "add blog post" on your home page, and I will be glad to feature it on the front of GardenAsheville so others can quickly find it.

At 10:37pm on May 31st, 2008, GardenThymeGirl said…: When is your next event? I hope you have one before next year! I received some good advice from Robert Stein, who owns a wholesale nursery in Fletcher this past week. He suggested placing peat moss in your planting hole and then put the hydrangea in the hole.....and of course fill the soil in.

I have to admit--I find myself watering my hydranges like crazy. I can't stand to see them wilt. I know the botanical name has to do with water. What are your tricks on this issue Linda?

At 1:55pm on May 25th, 2008, GardenThymeGirl said…: How did your Hydrangea Extravaganza go? I would have loved to been able to see all the Hydrangeas, but work is busy--I just put in 11 Hydrangeas in a clients garden--she loves them as much as I do.

At 8:53pm on May 1st, 2008, Polly McDaniel said…: 300 hydrangeas! That blows my mind, Linda.

At 8:08am on April 28th, 2008, Polly McDaniel said…: OK, well I'm hoping members such as yourself will start a blog on your site about your passion, in this case hydrangeas. I can feature various blogs on the front of this web site, so let me know when you start your blog.

At 4:24pm on April 27th, 2008, Linda Shapiro said…: Hi Polly,
Thank you. Hydrangeas just make people smile! The Blue Ridge Hydrangea Society is having a hydrangea extravaganza coming up! Our annual hydrangea Plant Sale entitled "Hydrangea Fever" featuring hundreds of hydrangeas for sale, all varieties and species hardy to this region, will be held at the NC Arboretum Saturday, May 17th from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. We are very excited and we welcome everyone to feast their eyes on these beauties and embellish their gardens with them!

At 4:12pm on April 27th, 2008, Linda Shapiro said…: Hi GardenThymeGirl!
I am so pleased that you love hydrangeas. Yes, Nigra is a nice variety with its deep wine/ dark purple stems. It really contrasts the bloom very well. I get my hydrangeas in various nurseries, Lowes, Fry Nursery, B.B. Barnes, Laurel Spring Nursery just to name a few. I like to hop around and see what is going on everywhere at all the local nurseries to see what they have.