This painting always reminds me of my mother,  who loved growing Hydrangeas.  After many unsuccessful attempts she at last found the perfect location, out of the hot afternoon sun and hot winds.  She particularly loved  the blue flowers and would diligently sprinkle alum (Aluminium Sulphate) around the plant before the buds started to form.  Another trick I would see her tying several flower heads together and handing them upside down, in an old shed to dry.  After a couple of weeks she use them in a dry arrangement in a vase.

When I had nearly finished this painting,  after studying it for a few moments, my 5 year old granddaughter said:  “I think you’ve got that leaf looking pretty good, granny!”