Book Review: Success With Hydrangeas by Lorraine Ballato

Success With Hydrangeas by Lorraine Ballato is the perfect guide for anyone wanting to upgrade their landscape with this big, beautiful flowery bush.

Springtime is the right time for planning a beautiful summer garden, and one of the most popular garden shrubs is the colorful and hearty Hydrangea. I recently reviewed Success With Hydrangeas and fell in love with this beautiful flowering shrub.

With several colors to choose from, these bountiful flowering bushes add a bright spot to anyone’s yard. They also handle weather well, so you don’t have to worry about them during turbulent spring weather.

Professional horticulturist and CIBA award-winning author Lorraine Ballato’s Success with Hydrangeas: A Gardener’s Guide offers a comprehensive collection of information and photos for one of the world’s most popular flowering plants. With her sage advice, she helps gardeners “make your hydrangeas thrive” in gardens and landscapes to share their beauty.

“As well as describing varying hydrangea types in minute detail, accompanied by dazzling photography, Ballato describes the processes of fertilization, soil testing, and the crucial issue of water, presenting specific examples of such treatments needed for differing varieties.”

-Chanticleer Book Review-

If you are planning on upgrading your landscape this spring, consider adding hydrangeas to your yard and help them reach their full bloom with this informative guide.

Ruth Amanda: An Interview with the Illustrator and Author of Award-Winning Childrens Books

Author Interview with Ruth Amanda, the CIBA Grand Prize Winning Author in the
Little Peeps Division!

Get to know the creative force behind the beautifully illustrated childrens books by author and illustrator Ruth Amanda!

A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a striped shirt, holding a ginger cat on her lap, sitting at a desk with art supplies and a beach-themed painting in the background.

I recently had the opportunity to interview the award-winning author and illustrator Ruth Amanda, whose picture book Island Moon won the 2024 CIBA Grand Prize in the Little Peeps Division for its evocative storytelling and stunning art.

A collage of six illustrated children's book covers by Ruth Amanda, featuring whimsical animal designs and colorful artwork. Titles include 'Puffin Lullaby', 'Geckos in the Garden', 'There's a Buzzard on the Balcony', 'ESS-CAR-GO!', 'There's a Seagull on My Sailboat', and 'Where are you, Hugh MacCoo?'.

From her early inspirations to her imaginative creative process, Ruth shares insights into how she crafts stories that delight young readers and celebrate the beauty of everyday wonder. Whether you’re a fan of children’s literature, a fellow author, or just curious about her journey, you’ll enjoy this fun and lively conversation with Ruth Amanda.