Thanks Kristi! I was so excited to buy my Amaryllis bulb and was so worried today when it turned red. I actually dug it back up and put it in a pot to keep inside just to keep it safe. =) I am from South Carolina...I think a zone 7. Where are you living? My mom gave me an Amaryllis a couple of years ago. It bloomed the first year and was gorgeous! It didn't bloom this year tho. I kept it inside both years. So is my Amaryllis okay????

Hello, angela. It sounds like the plants are getting the Texas treatment. We too have had daily 100s for several weeks and this can make the hydrangeas suffer. Some wilt. Other can get browned out blooms. Leaves brown out from the edges. Keep them well muclhed (about 3-4" of any type of mulch). Maintain the soil moist as best as you can to reduce browning of leaves as this indicates insufficient moisture. In other words, try to prevent period of moist soil followed by periods of dry soil. I am not sure just how much afternoon sun they get or just how hot it is. So try to reduce the exposure to hot afternoon suns if you can. Some people add shade cloth for example. How do you know if they are getting too much sun? Look for leaves in dicrect contact with the sun that turn all yellowish or whiteish, including the leaf veins. You can use the finger method to determine when to water. Insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4" and water only if it feels dry or almost dry. Flower buds for Spring 2012 will develop starting around July so it is important to treat the plants well starting from July and all the way until blooming time (Spring 2012). That includes watering during dry winters. Hydrangeas are not heavy feeders so a fertilizer application in May and July should be all they need for the year. If stressed though, it may be best not to fertilize. If you have to skip fertilizing, do not worry. Unless your soil is deficient in minerals, the shrubs should be able to get what they need from your garden soil. Recommended fertilizers for hydrangeas include compost, composted manure or cottonseed meal (1/2 to 1 cup for newly planted hydrangeas). You can also use a slow-release general-purpose chemical fertilizer like Osmocote; apply it according to label directions in May and July only. On top of all this, your plants are suffering from transplant shock. They should be established in 1-2 years and will be able to overcome summer's temperatures better then. For now, let them concentrate all energies in building a good root system. Luis

at least you see them for sale … never see them here in the MW in any of the stores … tho I look ...

Just to touch on a couple of things. You are not a sucker the right roses can be literally plant, feed, mulch and water if needed. After a year or two many are less trouble than perennials. At least it is from Heirloom and has a warranty because in my opinion you probably shall be using it. Personally I don't understand Heirlooms shipping in this heat. Most every mail-order rose nursery has suspended shipping in this high heat. It is just to hard on plants. The yellowed cane in the first photo has died. The next stage is it will turn brown. That one you can cut out. Keep your photos in case Heirloom wants a photo. As others mentioned get shade over what is left of the plant. I would keep it shaded until it starts to regrow or dies. Then slowly reintroduce it to direct sun light starting with morning sun. Please don't be discouraged once you get that first rose to grow there is nothing much better. I'm not sure what your best planting time is mine is early spring. That would give your new rose the best chance to put down roots and grow. You sound as if you grow other plants. Treat your rose as you would a perennial. Yes, I agree watering once a day is too much water. There really is no substitute for checking the soil with your hands or a moisture meter. The top soil does not need to be kept damp. Give a good long drink that gets deep down then let it dry some before watering again. Anyway most of this advice can be found on a good rose site. You can also use the search feature on here to look things up. Pay the most attention to those from your southern area. I've killed more than a couple of plants and roses in my time. One last thing to consider is starting with one of the highly disease resistant roses. Chamblees is in Texas and has some super varieties. Best of luck to you. Never give up you can do it.