Gardening Through Grief: Why These Hydrangeas Had To Go

Sometimes in the garden, things just don't work out — and that is perfectly okay. In this video, I'm sharing the honest truth behind my three-year struggle with Fire Light Tidbit Hydrangeas in my Zone 7 New Jersey garden. From battling spider mites to enduring extreme weather and navigating heavy personal losses, these shrubs became a weight rather than a joy. Join me as I finally dig them out, pivot to tough, drought-tolerant perennials like Butterfly Blue Scabiosa, and talk about why it's so important to prioritize your own peace and rest over a plant that just isn't serving you anymore. Garden therapy is real, but sometimes that therapy means letting go. (Click on the Chapter links below to jump directly to specific sections in this video.) Missed the beginning of this story? Check out my earlier video where I first planted the Fire Light Tidbits — includes complete growing information:    • Planting 3 Fire Light Tidbit Hydrangeas & ...   Video Chapters: 0:00 - The 3-Year Fire Light Tidbit Hydrangea Fail 0:25 - Flashback: Planting in 2023 2:02 - Year 2: No Flowers But Spider Mites (2024) 3:53 - Year 3: A Really Sad Season (2025) 5:29 - Heavy Hearts and Hard Winters (2026) 6:42 - Turning 60, Grief, and Deciding to Dig Them Up 7:44 - Comfort from Mourning Doves and New Perennials 8:51 - Dealing with Grief and Extreme New Jersey Heat Waves 10:54 - Mini Tour: Pretty New Perennials 👍 Please click the like button — and subscribe — if this video was helpful to you! 👍 🌿 RELATED VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO 🌿 Garden Makeover: The “Garden Within a Garden” Method    • Garden Makeover: The "Garden Within a Gard...   13 Stunning Plant Combinations That Look Great Year Round    • 13 Stunning Plant Combinations That Look G...   Solve Your May-June “Green Gap”: 3 Perennials for Non-Stop Color!    • Solve Your May-June "Green Gap": 3 Perenni...   Kramer’s Red Winter Heath (blooms January through April)    • Kramer's Red Winter Heath (blooms January ...   🌿 MY FAVORITE GARDEN TOOLS 🌿 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Fiskars Bypass Hand Pruners: https://amzn.to/31g9ZaV Fiskars Loppers for Tree Trimming: https://amzn.to/4vwbQVf Ohuhu Garden Kneeler Bench: https://amzn.to/3lI7GX5 DeWit Snake Tongue Trowel: https://amzn.to/47pHojk DeWit Forged Hand Trowel (available in different sizes): https://amzn.to/46tnTp1 Garden Claw Hand Cultivator: https://amzn.to/3VakGII Bond Bloom Mini D Handle Shovel: https://amzn.to/3RbtUlF CoolJob Garden Gloves Women: https://amzn.to/3lKNe6S CoolJob Garden Gloves Men: https://amzn.to/3G2H3WL Holly-tone Organic Fertilizer & Plant Food for Acid-Loving Plants: https://amzn.to/4d6usRP #griefandgardening ##paniclehydrangeas #gardensanity