I love the dark centers and dark stems on the Doppelganger. It really sets off the pretty pink petals. Last year it didn't 'doppel' and it was really short. I thought I had been sold some short variety by mistake. I am so happy with them this year. Yes, isn't that Easter Lily something special? I didn't know they would or could cross with Asiatic lilies. A View from the Patio area of part of the Shade Garden Love this Pink Lily Looking back through shrubberies to another garden area<. i planted every flower bush and tree you see.> Rosa, Lavender Lace (miniature rose) and blue Bachelor Buttons More later

How about that! Was it just the one flower, or does the plant consistently produce flowers with only two petals?

We are looking at houses today, including the one that we had previously placed an offer on. Oddly enough, they wouldn't counter our offer, but they have already lowered the price 10K. But I have already talked myself out of it for issues such as the easement and the street that it is on. I don't know if this was a self protection, my way of dealing with disappointment, or if these things are still really valid and need to be strongly taken into consideration. I'll see what my reactions are to it this time around! Check out this beauty of a room at the house I loved but my husband didn't. This is a master bedroom with gorgeous wall and ceiling moldings and bay window nook. I can just picture it with a vintage chandelier in place. We are revisiting this one today to see if the second impression is different (for either of us) and bringing a friend who is a contractor to tell us about the feasibility of remodeling the bathrooms (vintage yellow and black tile that is probably fabulous but has my husband running away screaming) and the dining This post was edited by kellienoelle on Sun, Jan 13, 13 at 11:14

Ontario_Canada5a_USDA4b, occasionally I find unusual types of H. paniculatas at brick and mortar nurseries here, but most often I mail order them since Limelight seems to be most of what is sold locally. IME H. paniculatas grow quite a bit more quickly than other types. I don't think I've planted anything that reached a respectable size from a tiny start in less time. The photo above shows my H. paniculata 'Quickfire' in fall of 2012 at around 5' tall. It was ordered for spring of 2009, but spent the summer in a shady spot in small 6" pot (less than ideal conditions!), and was planted mid fall of 2009, so in the photo it's had 3 good years of growth from being planted at less than a foot. I'd show photos of it at planting, but it's small enough that it really doesn't show up in the overviews of the bed that I took. My H. paniculata 'Pinky Winky' I found locally, so it was in a larger (2 gallon perhaps?) pot and about 2'-2 1/2' tall when planted some time in May or June, 2010. In the photo below, taken mid-August 2013 so after most of four growing seasons is well over 6' tall; the spiral trellis that is slowly being eaten by PW is 5' tall. I was honestly shocked at how quickly PW got big. It's stayed about this height (it has maybe gotten to 7 1/2', but I can still prune off old blossoms with long-handled pruners) but has continued to get wider over the years. I don't prune either one except to remove blossoms. I only watered this bed for the first few seasons, and even then only if we had no rain for at least 3 weeks. I am not sure if we even had water here during the 2010 season though we did by the time these photos were taken. Based on my experience with growth rate, I'd advise finding a variety which has the type of flower blooms (size and laciness) and general branch and growth style you like and buying it in whatever size you can, including mail order (very small) if needed. Then train it to your somewhat exacting standards. As a general rule gardening isn't instant gratification, but H. paniculata comes as close as I've found other than from annuals. I think you will be happier with one you train yourself, and 3 years to get a good sized plant that fits the requirements isn't a long time in garden time. Plant annuals around it for the first season until it reaches a large enough size to have good impact. A large pot hanging from a shepherd's hook would also work as a temporary filler.