ABOUT ME

Joan Harrison

I have been studying hydrangeas for over 30 years. Actually "studying" is too mild a word to describe my activities. It's more accurate to say I've been obsessed with hydrangeas, hence the word "mania" in the domain name of this website.
For the love of hydrangeas I have traveled to England, Wales, Belgium, France and Ireland to view collections of hydrangeas and to take hundreds of pictures of these beautiful flowers.
I enjoy sharing what I've learned through writing, speaking engagements, and now this website.
I love to meet people who share this passion and welcome your comments and stories.




As the founding president of the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society, I am happy to report our society is thriving with about 200 members from Cape C0d and beyond. In 2008 we started a display garden at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, MA. Our ever-expanding garden is now a popular local and tourist attraction, particularly during the Cape-wide Hydrangea Festival in July. Our garden is a great place to appreciate and learn about hydrangeas, and to see how well they thrive in our maritime climate.

MY BOOKS Hydrangeas: Cape Cod and the Islands

I think of this as a coffee table book. My goal was to showcase the beauty of both hydrangeas and this wonderful part of the world. Hydrangeas thrive here because the Cape & Islands share the same climate as maritime Japan, where most of the plants originated.

Heavenly Hydrangeas A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener

This is the book I was looking for when I first sought information about hydrangeas. Here is where you can find the answers to all your questions about pruning, color changes, species of hydrangeas, propagation, feeding & watering, and so much more.
PUBLISHED WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BOOKS Editor, Our Favorite Hydrangeas, Cape Cod Hydrangea Society, 2019. MAGAZINES "Bringing Hydrangeas Indoors: 10 Steps to Success", Cape Cod Magazine, July 2014. Text and photos. "50 Shades of Hydrangeas", Cape Cod Magazine, July 2012. Photos. "Nikko Blue and Beyond", Cape Cod Life, May 2008. Text and photos. "Hydrangea Fever", Nantucket Today, July 2006. Photos.