Hello hello Ostrich! Still working out that bed eh? Can't believe it's that time of year again. Seems like yesterday that you started that bed. First and foremost, you should follow George's advice about waiting....even though you have some dead branches, she is capable of throwing off many new branches from the existing live wood (even if only the trunk was alive) and she might surprise you yet. Why throw away a season of plant/root establishment if you don't have to? If you're still not happy....For what it's worth, (not much), and based solely on photos, my #1 choice would be the Kyushu. (for all the reasons George mentioned and because I've seen HIS Kyushu pics) If the SM is a similar or "improved" version, I would not hesitate to go with it again either. If other Paniculatas do well in your yard, (and they certainly appear to) then you may have just gotten a dud and should not sour on the whole cultivar. Hopefully, other SM growers will chime in with their observations. Having said that, the (potentially) failed SM as well as the return policy gives you a chance to re-think (second guess?) the bed yet again and do a little more clear headed refining as opposed to the "oh my goodness, I just had to have it" planting that usually transpires when one runs into the latest, greatest hydrangea. Oh, the fun! Yes, you should choose and plan wisely, but you should LOVE whatever you choose. You're the one who has to look at it everyday. Have fun and welcome to a new hydrangea season!....yg ps....Where's the photo album George????? You had all winter to get it together! How can we start another season without those mouth watering photos to get us inspired??? lol

Hi Zesty - "Live Life Zestfully" I agree completely!!! I invested on my 5y/o grand daughter's joy, at the sight of a 5ft fully bloomed beauty of a Kyushu tree ... "She looks like a Princess, Mimi, I just have to have her!" Home, we came with our 'Princess Kyu' & never a moment's regret - May 2006! She danced like a graceful ballerina during a tornado grade storm - Jun 2007, survived a heavy ice-storm topped with heavy snow this past Winter (keeled over 45 deg. yanked back into place with straps & stake). Now, she is still her petite 5'2" & fast leafing out!!! Not a 'Splashy Big Daddy' but a zesty Princess that has not failed to fetch "wows" from walkers-by!!! Try Forever & Ever ... IMO, an improvement on ES ... are quite reliable bloomers w/heftier canes for our testy zone! ES & Big Daddy Hs are all over the place here ... I'd rather have Lace Caps & Paniculatas!

HI, newbie here. I recieved a hydrangea for Mother's day. The tag sayshydrangea macrophylla-hortensia type. The flowers were sort of a purplish color and as they died off they lightened to a sort of greenish color. They were the only blooms I got. I thought they bloomed all summer? I tranferred it into a x-large planter and they get a little morning sun and then shade the rest of the day. I plan on bring it in for the winter. Then next year hopefully it will bloom and I am going to attempt at planting it outside in a sheltered spot. So,is it not reblooming because it is so young or what? Also purchased some at home depot 3/9.99. (I figured what they hey)They had no bloosoms. There leaves are green with some white streaking. I cant remember what they are called. They are thriving well out in the yard. Do you think it is possible to get a look at the flowers this year? We have a real long growing season here. I have ran around in shorts and picked tomatoes clear into late Oct. (and have ALSO froze my buns off in early oct LOL) Any help out there?

If you can find it, the ~$32 jug of Liquid Fence concentrate is worth it. It should treat a decent 5000 sq ft for a solid two growing seasons, if applied every 1-2 weeks. Use one of those "3x" spray bottles from Walmart, shake jug of concentrate, add about 3/8" to bottle, fill with water, shake bottle to mix. Use the whole bottle if you can, broadcasting. When empty, rinse bottle out twice and flush sprayer well to prevent clogging. Let dry for next use. Keep tight lid on concentrate jug and store in a cool place year-round. This post was edited by Springwood_Gardens on Wed, Aug 28, 13 at 16:45