I have a post down below about this very hydrangea. I and a few others on this board found this plant at our local Lowe's earlier in the summer. I LOVE this plant and hope it is everything that it says. Let me run outside and take some quick pics for you...

Okay, first let me warn you...I have this plant in a pot that is sitting at the front of my house. It is sitting on nothing but rocks and dirt because we do not yet have a lawn. (Our new house just got finished being built a month or so ago.) So anyway, when looking at the pics, focus on the plant, not my hideous lack of a lawn! :-)

Here is a pic of the first bloom as it was beginning to open. One of my favorite pics!


{{gwi:1011729}}

Here it is super upclose, because I like taking pics like that!

{{gwi:1011730}}

Another ridiculous closeup...

{{gwi:1011731}}

Now, here is the same bloom about 2 weeks later...

{{gwi:1011732}}

Here is the second and only other bloom right now. Notice it is more vibrant pink.

{{gwi:1011733}}

Here is the whole plant to give you a better idea...

{{gwi:1011734}}

Notice that the two flowers have a different color. The first bloom has both pink and purple in it. I guess that supports the claim that it can have different color blooms on the same plant and even the same flower head. Here is what else I've noticed about it so far:

1. It has very think stems which support the blooms even after heavy rains (unlike my ES!)

2. The leaves are dark green, deeply serreated, and large!

3. When in bloom, my ES doesn't put much energy into growing "new wood". Not until I deadhead does the foliage start to grow again. Not with Forever and Ever! The "new wood" seems to continually grow no matter what.

4. Holds up fairly well in heat. My ES wilted and slumped every afternoon in the heat. My Forever and Ever only did once, and that was in 95 degree heat!

I have had my ES for 2 years now. This is only my first year with Forever and Ever. So far though, my Forever and Ever FAR exceeds my ES. Then again, that is just my experience. I am starting to question the health of my ES anyway, so maybe that's it. Anyhow, the only thing I have yet to see is (a) whether or not it truly does bloom on new wood and (b) whether or not it really can withstand a zone 5 winter with no protection (once I do plant in ground that is). If it does, this plant is a SURE WINNER!

Wow, thanks for all the info. Beautiful pictues. I did go and pick one up today. Nice and healthy looking, but small, 4 stalks on this one. Some were just beginning to get a little bloom on them. What I don't understand is how Lowes could have this plant for a while now and this nursery make the claim "not yet officially introduced". I too thought I had seen a similar name at Lowes earlier this year or last, not sure. Oh well. Thanks for the review.

tmac96, thank you so much for the great information and picture! I just posted in the other thread you mentioned above and then I saw this - thanks! Now you make me want to rush to Lowe's and get one myself too! LOL!

Is Hydrangea 'Forever & Ever' patented like 'Endless Summer'?

- Brent

wow, wow, wow. I gotta get me some of that!

Has this been as winter hardy for winter like it claims to be?