
๐ธ Meet Skye Hamilton: The Hydrangea Queen with a Designerโs Eye and a Gardenerโs Heart
Itโs no secret that Holly-tone has been one of our most beloved products for generations. Introduced in the 1940s, it was the first fertilizer created specifically for acid-loving plantsโand itโs been a go-to for gardeners ever since, helping hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, and evergreens thrive. With hydrangeas continuing to be one of the most sought-after blooms in gardens everywhere, it feels only natural that the Hydrangea Queen herself, Skye Hamilton, not only uses Holly-tone but proudly recommends it. We find ourselves inspired by Skyeโs passion, authenticity, and eye for beauty in the garden and are thrilled that we can share more about her with you.

Before being known as the Hydrangea Queen, Skye spent 18 years as a professional interior designer. Her belief? That your outdoor spaces should be just as beautiful and personal as your indoor ones. โIโve always loved the idea of a storybook life,โ she shares. โSo many of my favorite books revolve around beautiful homes and gardensโand I wanted to create that in real life. That love of beauty and intention shows up everywhere in Skyeโs world. Whether sheโs hosting a backyard BBQ or a birthday party, sheโs curating an atmosphere thatโs warm, inviting, and totally magical. โTending to my yard and garden is not only self-careโitโs how I care for others.โ
How She Became the โHydrangea Queenโ
Skyeโs love for hydrangeas began with a vision. While renovating her old farmhouse in the Pacific Northwest, she knew it needed a hydrangea hedge. โI didnโt know the first thing about them, but I made it my mission to learn,โ she says. Then, during the pandemic, she joined several Facebook gardening groups and found that she enjoyed answering questions and sharing her newfound knowledge and experience with others.ย Then came the Instagram reel that changed everything. Skye posted a reel about hydrangeas to her design accountโjust for funโand it took off. โIt was so much more fun talking plants than working with clients and contractors. It just felt like a no-brainer to shift to gardening content creation.โย And if youโre wondering about her brand name, Hamilton House Design, thatโs a holdover from her design business. โI just never changed it,โ she laughs.

Her Garden Favorites & Best Advice
While hydrangeas are front and center in her garden, when asked if theyโre her favorite plant, she admits they are tied for first place. โI love hydrangeas so much, but roses are right up there too,โ she admits. We asked her to share the most common misconception about hydrangeas. โHydrangeas arenโt one-size-fits-all. There are six main types, each with different growing needs. When people say they canโt grow hydrangeas, I always ask which kind they tried. Thereโs a variety for almost every climateโyou just need to find the right one for your garden.โ Skyeโs approach to gardening is refreshingly honest. Some of the best advice sheโs ever received: If you arenโt killing plants, you probably arenโt doing it right. โGardening is often best learned through trial and error and moving things around.โ And the tip she loves to share with others: โKnow thyself.โ She encourages new gardeners to be realistic about their time, energy, and interest. โIf you love flowers but donโt have a lot of time, go with easier, low-maintenance varieties. Youโll thank me later.โ
Skye, Beyond the Garden
Skye describes herself as โkind of a weirdoโโin the most charming way. โAsk any of my family or friends,โ she says with a laugh. โI donโt take myself too seriously. I love kitchen dance parties with my husband and kids. I love throwing elaborate dinner parties, but most days Iโm in sweats or a bathrobe, drinking coffee in bed while binging Bravo.โ Raised by a mom from Virginia and a dad from Idaho, Skye blends the classic charm of the East Coast with the laid-back vibes of the Pacific Northwest. Her life, like her garden, is full of beautiful contrasts.
Why Community Matters
Skyeโs found something special in the gardening community. โIn my day-to-day life, none of my friends or family garden,โ she says. โSo, finding this community online has been amazing. Iโve learned so much from other gardeners all over the worldโand youโre never done learning. Iโve formed real friendships and found support in this community.โย But while she loves the community, sheโs also honest about what can be frustrating. โSometimes there isnโt enough transparency. People only want to showcase the highlight reels with the perfect blooms, and not the dead plants or weeds. That can be really discouraging for beginners,โ she explains. โA green thumb isnโt something youโre born with. Itโs just hard work, education, and lots of trial and error.โ
We love Skyeโs goal of not only educating others but also shining a light on the real side of gardeningโthe trial and error, the messy moments, and the magic in between. Her honest, joyful approach is exactly what we believe gardening is all about, and weโre so excited to share more from Skye and her garden in the seasons ahead.

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