Jen,

I think you may be on to something. I don't grow it myself, but if this website is any indication, many are replacing their other cultivars with this "easy" one. No offense, because I know what a breakthrough this plant is for folks in your zone, but when I scroll down through the monotonous, repetative, never ending, ES threads on this site, I want to yell "enough already with the ES overkill!!" It may soon be time to subdivide the hydrangea forum into the "Endless Summer" forum and the "Other more interesting hydrangeas" forum!!!! LOL......yg

Jen,

So, I've got you worried now? I suspect in a few years you will see ES more and more in the area, but since you had yours planted first, it will be the biggest! :-D

I completely see what your concerns are, but thank goodness I don't know of anybody else in my area who has grown ES!!! LOL!

Stella D'Oros - I love these guys and I got tons of them (planted by my landscaper before I really got into gardening! LOL) and I do agree that they are just a bit too ubiquitous...

Knock Out Roses - nope - no one else in my area has got them! And I put in DOUBLE Knock Out anyway, so I guess I am still ahead of the game! LOL

No such thing as over used for blue mopheads for me, and that includes ES. I always like summer and the Northeast beaches, especially the Rehoboth beach, the nearest to me and that's only where I really get to see huge shrubs of blue mopheads. If I could, I would like to live there. But reality is I live here in Philly so I try to please myself, what I like and make the most out of everything. I am secretly wishing that the residents in my borough would plant hydrangeas and maybe we could be the talk of the town or something like "oh that's where the hydrangea neighborhood is". :)

Actually, I wouldn't be able to tell if my neighbor's shrubs are ES or not. Most probably not ES, as most of them are old shrubs and yes covered with blooms, so thick that they cover the leaves of the whole shrubs.

Yes it has in my neighborhood but only because I've recommended it so often. Am I sorry? Heck no! This year ES was the first hydrangea to come into bloom, coinciding with the big rose flush. The result was a kaleidoscopic display in every color imaginable.

As for overkill I'm not too worried. Now that the word is out hybridizers will most likely be using ES to breed more interesting repeat blooming hydrangeas. In fact just recently I discovered another repeater that goes by the name of Penny Mac. I haven't tried her yet but I will.

We live in a good time for growing hydrangeas.

I live in a somewhat older neighborhood (houses built in early 60s), and I see mostly Annabelles in the neighborhood, which makes perfect sense since they are so realiable.

Folks were definitely buying E.S. - last year it was the hottest thing in the nurseries in my area. Perhaps folks with newer homes/new or no shrub borders were buying them? Or perhaps folks have them in the beds in the back (I have mine mixed in my perennial beds), which of course I don't see when I am walking around the neighborhood. I don't see any planted in public places, either - again, Annabelle is used a lot.

This year I've seen a lot of E.S. at the nurseries. Don't know whether the supply is greater, the demand is lower, the price is too high, or a combination of all of these.

I love mine - had a BBQ the 4th and my E.S were my most commented-upon plant, they are blooming heavily in various shades of pink through blue. :)

I'm new to Hydrangeas as well, and have purchased 3 of them (so far) this year, 2 of which are E.S. I just don't seem to be able to get enough of them - I love them so much, and both of mine are thriving beautifully.

There is only one nearby nursery (that I am aware of...and believe me....I've checked out many :) that has/had E.S., and they told me that E.S. was the absolute best-seller of all their plants. Even though a bit pricier than other Hydrangeas, I certainly don't regret buying 2 of them at all.

Ever since I've fallen in love with Hydrangeas, I find myself checking out each and every yard/garden that is growing them, and yes, there seem to be quite a few that are relying on the beauty of E.S. - but I personally don't mind a bit. :)

Hi Jen --
I'm a neighbor according to your page, I live in O.P. I really haven't seen too many E.S. here yet. I don't really see too many hydrangeas here at all to be honest, but I'm in a newer subdivision mostly planted by landscapers (and then ripped out by people like me, ha ha).

I just planted 5 ES and 2 limelites this Spring -- love all of them. The ES came down quite a bit in price this year so I gave in.

I hope its not the next Knockout or Stella (although I too support these in moderation!)

Patricia

I'm just hoping that the excitement caused by some of the new varieties -- and their marketing campaigns -- like ES and Lady in Red, will just bring more attention to Hydrangeas as the valuable plants they are.

Hopefully, as these prove successful, we can look forward to many more high-profile hydrangea hybrids in years to come.

I doubt the ES will reach the Plants That Merit Composting level that Stella D'Uglie daylilies have reached. Consider that there are environmental factors that will limit ES use, ie H2O needs. Also take into account that ES can have blue or pink flowers which will diffuse some of the perceived over use.

I think ES will blend well into the countries mc-landscape unlike Stella which shouts "I'm a new gardener and have not taste!"

Yes, and no. I am seeing some yards with them now. Most people around here have tons of Annabelles. Considering the zone I'm in we don't have many choices. And I LOVE my ES. It started blooming a few weeks ago and the plants look great. Oh yes, I long for a big beautiful hydrangea garden with lots of different varieties but that will probably never happen up here in the frozen north.. Until then, I will treasure my ES...