It's been two months since i planted the climbing hydrangeas. They were about seven inches in height. Most have lost their leaves but two of them have sprouted more branches. One is growing on the northwest wall and one is doing okay in the shady north wall of the house. Will keep you posted. It will probably take years before they really climb and cover the walls but I think it is worth the wait.

The steel rod came from Home Depot. I don't know what it is called technically, but it was 48" long x 3/4" wide and about 1/8"thick. It is pliable enough to bend but strong enough to hold the shape. I just cut it down to size and spray painted it flat white.

No the weather that day was horible and I just wanted to get back to mississippi as aoon as possible.I will be back down in Mobile on 7/30/10 for my pre op appt w/the surgeon and will be there from 9/28/10 to 10/4/10 for the surgery and then back as needed for follow ups.Will def get there at some point.We are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mobile.Thanks for thinking of me Glenda. Shelley

Jordan, That stub above the last node from which the uppermost green shoot is growing is dead. Just prune it off if it's troubling you to look at it.