I was unable to keep Itea 'Little Henry' alive here. It died back a little more every year until I shovel pruned it. So I think it's not quite as hardy as the straight species or as advertised.

i would wait until all danger of frost is gone.. and then trim it back.. hoping what little is above.. might protect the stuff below ...

in a couple weeks i would just go to town on them.. as close to the ground as possible.. leaving just a few 'choice' branches left'

as for flowers.. i would NOT care ... preferring to worry about it living.. rather than be showy ... flowering shrubs are variable year to year.. sometimes it just doesnt work out.. especially on a recent transplant ..

good luck

ken

With the Clethra I'd wait until Memorial Day, at least, before declaring part of it dead.

tj

Speaking of little henry Itea, I almost bought 3 of them today...but then I didn't as I remembered many folks on this forum just don't have good luck in zone 5.

Is this really the case or do people think they are cashed out because they don't give em a chance?

A number of plants native to the southeast US just don't seem to do well in colder climates even though they experience cold temperatures at higher elevations in the South. Itea 'Little Henry' has always suffered such severe dieback, even when covered by snow, here in New England that most gardeners soon discard it. I've personally never really seen the attraction of clethra (a pretty ugly mass of sticks and dry seed pods for much of the year), but this genus, too, seems poorly adapted to life outside its native range.

Well, this is certainly informative, both specifically and generally, relative to my being new to New England. I moved here two years ago from Florida, but spent most of my gardening career in the Mid-Atlantic.

I suppose the next logical question is what do I plant? I suppose I need to dig through the Cary list. I have Deutzias and Fothergillas that seem to be quite happy. Maybe I need more!

So sad bout the Iteas...I think they're pretty charming in bloom. I am learning more about my property and have realized that we get a ton of wind out of the north up here on the hill. That will probably spell doom for the ugly mass of sticks and dry seed pods.

what do you plant..

you go to nurseries.. rather than bigboxstore.. and make lists .. and research ..

you join garden clubs for their local garden tours in summer .... no matter what the www says.. what the local peeps grow is usually the best ...

and you find any Arboretum or labeled collection within a 100 miles and visit it ... the state ag college usually has one... that would be the college/univ with STATE after it .... as in michigan state.. .. etc ....

also .. call your local county Ag office or soil conservation office and ask them for resources in your county ...

otherwise .... we can make all kinds of useless suggestions ... if you wish.. lol ... though you know.. if you actually tell us where in new england you are.. i bet maine-y and a few others will surely get you on track ....

good luck

ken

Well, I do only shop at nurseries. The knowledge is reliable and I usually trust that if they're selling something, there is a way to grow it here. Perhaps not in everyone's garden, but at least somewhere in the area.

I also made lists (and spreadsheets and drawings) before I moved in and did the foundation plantings. Hmm...

I also do a lot of research, -- mostly through the UConn, MOBOT and Dave's. I know it doesn't compare to actually seeing things doing well, in situ, but it is the best I can manage at times.

It is hard, with so much to do here, to go gallivanting around looking at gardens. I suppose I should take more time to do that as I get settled in. I moved into a blank-slate situation and have been building raised beds, installing trees, etc. I also have two plots at the community garden for vegetables. My learning curve and workload have been steep, to put it mildly.

So, I am in Western MA, 5B. I sit on top of a hill with another house to my north, but otherwise a lot of fetch.

So, useless suggestions, I probably don't need. I can do that on my own. :-) Any other thoughts...I am all ears.

As Ken suggested if you live near a university, when you have a bit more time, wandering around the campus may be a good way to learn what will survive in your area. I live about 40 miles south of Plymouth State U (so I'm warmer) and about 40 miles west of UNH (so I've better snow cover, but I'm colder since no coastal effect.) Both campuses have a nice selection of old standards and new varieties and species. I've spent time on both campuses and gotten a good feel for what is worth taking a chance on at home. The advantage for me to the campuses over garden tours is I can visit on my schedule, though the design isn't typically as nice.

I also know that the origin of a particular selection is worth researching since sometimes when it is originally from a more northerly source it may be hardier.

I've had good experience with Clethra 'Ruby Spice' in many different areas around my property but less so with 'Sixteen Candles' which often suffers die-back. I know that despite my problem with 'Little Henry' over the 3 or 4 years it took for me to give up on it, the regular Itea look great at UNH so I may try one of those to see if I'm more successful.

Another thing to consider is that the way your buildings sit compared to your prevailing winds may give your plants protection in some areas and an extra blast of wind due to the funneling effect of walls in other areas. So where a plant is sited on your hilltop may effect plant survival.

I'm having decent luck so far with Itea 'Henry's Garnet.' Never tried 'Little Henry', so not sure if HG is just more durable. I've tried clethra several times, but can't get them to overwinter. I love fothergillas, and since they grow well for you, I'd get more...(you can never have enough fothergillas.:))) Have you looked into hydrangea paniculata? Very easy to grow and beautiful in three seasons.

I've gotten some of my best ideas from Arboretums and writing down names and then going back to the nurseries.

Sometimes I find interesting things at the nursery and check in here to get some feedback.

Hydrangea paniculata...one of my favorite group of plants, Vibrunums and Fothergilla are up there as well.