If you don't try to get geometric symmetry like this then you don't have such a brittle situation, where everything has to be perfectly matched. And this is only called for when everything in the scene, including the architecture of the dominant building is geometrically symmetric. Otherwise a conflict is produced, as with a tuxedo at a picnic. But maybe you are working in a formal setting. You didn't say.

Depends on how shallow, I guess. My fish spawn literally all over the pond, deep end and shallow end, all along the edges, on anything and everything they can find. They prefer plant matter, but I have used the mop heads you're speaking of with some success. One will probably not be sufficient, though. Ponds with rocks are the most difficult to eliminate fish babies because the eggs get sprayed between them so the koi can't reach them to eat them. A bare liner pond will make it easer for the fish to find the eggs. I have coping stones around the top of my pond, so after the fish have spawned, I lower the water level at least six inches, exposing the coping stones to the air. I leave the level down overnight, allowing the eggs to dry out. I also remove all the plants and allow them to dry out overnight. The next morning, I return them to the pond and fill it back up. Also, don't feed the fish for a few days. This forces them to forage on the remaining eggs. As a last measure, after four or five days, when the eggs begin to hatch, I attach a very strong garden sprayer to the garden hose, and I spray forcefully along the edges and in and around the coping stones. I also reach into the pond and spray along the sides (in the water) where the baby fish attach themselves immediately after hatching. They're still very small and very delicate, and the harsh spray will kill them. I've been doing this for three years and have not had a single surviving baby during this time.

I have ES growing in 2 different places: one is on the Notrh-East side of the house and another one is on the West-facing side. And they are so different that almost feels like 2 different varieties. This is how ES from West side looks like (it is smaller, leaves are somewhat paler, but blooms reliably every year): And this is my ES from the Notrh-East side. In fact , these are 3 hydrangeas planted in a row. They are much taller, with dark-green leaves and have fewer flowers between three of them than the one growing on the West side. Also, their flowers are mostly hidden in the foliage. These ones get more attention than their sister: they get fertilized with liquid 20-20-20 at least once a month, while the one above gets a handful of granular fertilizer in spring and thatâÂÂs it: This post was edited by green_go on Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 22:24

My Nikko Blue barely made it through the drought. But, you must know that it is a well-established plant, having been in the ground long before I moved into my home. I live very close to Crown Heights. It is producing growth from the base of the plant, but none on the stems as it should. Same thing with other hydrangeas I have in the back yard. This is no fault of yours. All of the hydrangeas suffered thru the winter drought. My azaleas suffered as well. My beautiful pink azalea in front died. It has been in the ground for well over 10 years. It was an evergreen, and while it retained its evergreen growth over the winter, as soon as I began to water it in spring, it died. It may come back if I prune back the dead stems. I don't know yet. Lots of things suffered. My double daffodils did not bloom this year. Just foliage. Best thing for you to do, is to go at it again, and purchase a new Nikko Blue to start over with. Hydrangeas really suffer from lack of water. Hydra - means water. I can empathize with you because it's tough to lose a plant especially with sentimental value attached to it. But, you can succeed with it. Just do it again. Susan