Hi Oakley - Several experts, have already chimed in & posted reassurances & advices, that I have learned & still learning from, in over the few years I have been reading & inquiring, in this truly great forums. Since you wish to know as well, what you might expect from your newly planted ES over the years. I planted 2 (2-gal) pots in '06, moved 3 times before presenting themselves as rewarding as the pics I'm posting. In my zone, like Alisande's ES & gg148's clarifications, my ES can be influenced dramatically by what 'Ma Nature' doles us. This past Winter was one of our worst one, killing even very established trees & shrubs ... Spring was absolutely crazy, 2 wks of heavy rains followed immediately by 2 weeks of sun/steamy heat of 100s (enough to steam cook many barely lushing/blooming perennials)! That said, both ES still budded & blossoms were huge, but significantly less than, what you'll see in the link. To date, a few more cluster buds are showing! However both bushes have grown tremendously, despite dying to the ground ... like Alisande's - not protected in Winter any longer, as they are now older (I did in their first season-using cardboard method). Best wishes to you & welcome to our fold!!! Â;) Here is a link that might be useful: 2 ESs in 2008

Ciao wayblinkfaster, So where are you? Canada is a big country, you know. I think you went too far in killing your extra plants. Next time, you might consider donating them to food banks, churches, or getting involved in a gardening group and participating in some plant swaps. I grow lots of extra tomato plants and I always find homes for them. Community gardens are also desperate for plants most days. Cheers and good for you on your successes, Julianna

Heather- In your second photo it is not next to the door, and the fireplace is not a problem. So you just have to decide whether you would rather have it in the living room or the bedroom. I would not get a sectional. They do not solve any problems, they just make make more, as they are oversized pieces of furniture themselves, and your room is not that large. You could keep your eyes peeled for two comfy chairs to face the sofa that are on casters or to which you could add casters, so that if you and your guests are watching a movie, they could just re-position their chairs so they can also enjoy the show. You also need and end table for in between the two chairs, and at the sides of the sofa. And after you get the chairs, hit the tag sales for some great large trays or TV tables for your popcorn and wings!

I love saskatoons as well, they grow in abundance in my region, juicy delicious blueberry / almond flavor! Years ago, I planted ten small 'Smoky' saskatoon bushes, four or five years later, I was picking 33 ice cream pails full of them! I need to plant more at the new place, someone had mentioned of a variety they like even more than 'Smoky'. I'll have to check on that again!