I'm so surprised that Clethra has not been successful across the board. It is one of my favorite shrubs and a native. It is interesting that my conditions are different than those mentioned. I added a 'Hummingbird' right under the dripline of a mature Maple and it's dry there. It has never had a brown edge on it. The Oakleaf Hydrangea next to it can't say the same. I do have challenging conditions, because my neighbors have large Silver Maples that just suck the moisture right out of the area. It does sucker but I did have room for it to do that and happy to have any shrub increase it's size near my Maple. It is fragrant and covered with bees when in bloom. And as much as I like 'Hummingbird', I really like 'Clethra Sue' even more. It is not a common variety and one I just stumbled upon and tried. It is probably twice the height of the 'Hummingbird' and has larger white flowers that dangle some. It also blooms later than 'Hummingbird' and is just starting to bloom right now. It is also planted in that back bed near the trees and seems to tolerate it without any issues. I'll try to get a photo of it tomorrow.

I have had it for two years and like it very much. The bloom period does last about a month in late spring/early summer (no repeat for me so far) and the foliage remains attractive though the season. I have mine planted over some hyacinth bulbs and it does a nice job of filling in over them just as the hyacinth fade out. Haven't had any seedlings yet, but I do remove the spent flowering stems. Can't resist sharing some shots of mine from this season:

Saw of rack of these at the local nursery yesterday and picked up a pack. Have never used their seeds before; actually, I've never even heard of them before. What's the poop on Hart seeds?

I can’t speak to roller shades but I have had Levolor cellular, Roman, and faux wood shutters in my last two homes and have been very pleased. One was in the desert and they did a great job keeping the heat and sun out. I bought them both times through Lowe’s. Both Lowe’s and Home Depot have quarterly sales on Levolor with 25% or more off all custom orders. Well worth waiting for!