Timing depends on kind of shrub. In future look up pruning of each before doing anything major. This kind blooms on old wood so you must have old wood present to get a full bloom. Due to the variation in growth types and the number of different techniques entire books are written on pruning alone. I may have as many as 10 of them myself, and there are ones in stores right now I haven't bought.

Congrats, John! I released 3 American ladies yesterday, still have 2 more chrysalides in the cage. The A. margaritacea and the cudweed in my garden all have AL nests on them, which all look VERY protective, like no wasp or stink bug could get in. So, I'll probably leave them out there, maybe bring them in when they get big, so that they can pupate in the cage. 'Don't know for sure yet. My one and only RA caterpillar has gotten pretty big, won't be too long before it pupates. It's interesting how they make a leaf roll nest, eat their 'home' and then go on to the next leaf. I know what you mean about those rabbits. They're absolutely TERRIBLE here, too! I ordered and planted a pretty little maple leaf viburnum in the woods, and it was SO pretty, leafed out all over and growing. The other day I checked on it, and all the leaves have been eaten! We need Elmer Fudd! Sherry

That is what happened in our 120 yr old house. I looked under the dishwasher and found the original heart pine that someone po had covered with engineered wood floor in the 80's. It cleaned up beautifully. I also was able to take out the floor vents in a couple rooms where po's had placed carpet and find the unfinished heart pine...but in the back hallway and 1/2 bath there was Pergo. I hated it so when they were doing all the other floors I asked them to pull all the Pergo out and look to see what was underneath. The floor guy refused...I waited till he and his help went to lunch and I used his prybar to start tearing it all up. I took off the Pergo and found plywood and then tar paper and then linoleum...and then drum roll...the heart pine. When he got back later that afternoon he asked " what the h^&* did you do?". I reposned with a smile as I handed him the prybar...I started what YOU are going to finish LOL. I still smile everytime I go out the back door ! c Congratulations to you!!!!

I feel your joy!! We are not in the PNW but are just days away from having out metal roof installed. They have to do the chimney stone first, and that arrived yesterday so hopefully soon. Share some pictures when it's done, if you don't mind. We used to live on Whidbey and loved it out there!