You can also try packing the whole pot in a black plastic foil, wrapping it around the trunk with a tie-wrap, making it air- and watertight. Make sure the tree has enough water (but not too much to let root-rot kick in) before you do this. Because the black foil will attract warmth, this will encourage new root growth if the tree still has any life in it. Then place the tree in a dark(er) and cool(er) place where there is no wind for the first week or three to let the tree recover. During this stage you can just hope for the best as there is not much chance thee tree will revive again. Once you notice the tree starting to show some life again (I mean creating new buts), remove the foil and leave the tree in de darker place for a few more days (till the buts starting to burst) before slowly (day by day) starting to move the tree to its original place. You do not want to fertilize the tree at all during the first month(s) as this would likely cause the new roots to burn. You may also want to wash any remaining fertilizer out, if you think there is still much left in the soil. Good luck, as you will need it!

I have a similar bed (sun to around 2 pm, then afternoon shade and dry). Here is what works for me...mostly hot colors tempered by purple/blue. Not all these would be hardy in your zone (and I'm too lazy to look up the hardiness ratings): - Salvia guarantica 'Brazil' - Diclipteria suberecta - Allium senescens - Oreganum vulgare 'Aureum' - Oreganum compactum 'Nana' - Galliardia 'Fanfare' - Hippeastrum 'Ackermanii' - Canna 'Bengal Tiger' - Solidago 'Golden Baby' - Coreopsis 'Tequila Sunrise' - Geranium 'Rozanne' - Aster 'Professor Kippenburg' - Habranthus tubispathus var texensis - Gladiolus 'Violetta' - Vernonia arkansana (you may not be able to find in the trade, but you could substitute any similar Vernonia) - Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia' - Crocosmia 'Jenny Bloom' - Crocosmia 'Warlhead' - Lysimachia congestiflora 'Persian Chocolate' - Thalictrum flavum 'Glaucum' - Common orange daylilies - Narcissus 'Avalanche' - Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus - Narcissus odorus plenus

Thanks for your replies. Tsmith2579: do you mean mixing glycerin with the water? If so, I've never dealt with it--does glycerin come in liquid form, or crystals or what? Something you buy in the drugstore or crafts store? What proportion of glycerin to water? I like the sound of this method as it apparently doesn't require waiting till Fall like ego's method does (and like I've read in other places). Thanks, Karen

I know there are various methods for coloring dried hydrangea blooms. But how about a method for bleaching them out to a creamy/white? Also, what (if any) methods for either coloring or bleaching, will work on browned blooms?