Please accept my apology for the late notice. Between the recent weather issues and my parent company (I work for AIG Retirement.) things have been hectic. In addition, I did not schedule (I did try.) a spring swap. Between being unable to find a suitable date before it became too hot and being extremely busy at work I could not make the swap happen. The Fort Bend County Plant Swap - Fall Edition is scheduled for October 18th from 9 AM to 1 PM (usually ends earlier). Due to the recent hurricane I want to encourage gardeners to come regardless of their ability to bring plants. Even if you do not have plants come anyway bring your favorite dish and enjoy a pot luck luncheon with gardening friends. For those of you with new sun gardens I want to encourage you to bring those shade plants to trade and share. For those along the coast please consider coming. Many of us further inland want to see you. I will have a few plants to share and I have several sets of gardening hand tools and BBQ sets and hand made bird houses and feeders to give away as door prizes. As a reminder the Fort Bend Plant Swap is a free event open to all gardeners. All plants are swapped or traded. NO money changes hands. The pot luck luncheon is a great way to join in especially if you have not plants. Bring your favorite dish. My wife and I will be bringing vegetarian chili. If you have never been to a plant swap before I encourage you to come. They are a great way to learn about plants that do well in this area. The plant swap is located in Community Park in Missouri City. The location is convenient for all of Houston and is especially convenient for Brazoria County and points south and west of Houston. Details including directions can be found on our website. Please contact me if you have any questions. Here is a link that might be useful: Fort Bend County Plant Swap

Check with KTRH 740 AM on Saturdays and Sundays from 7-10AM or email them for time, places and date. Also check with your County Extension Agents they will help you find plenty of locations if you are willing to travel so. Each County has their own plus many more independent swaps and sales. Houston and area usually has one in the fall on one in the spring (around valentine day) as along with the out lying Counties.

Many of macrophyllas for sale usually get 5-6' in height. But, it usually takes abou 10 years or so to achieve their advertised height/width.... although in places with a long growing season (like here in TX), it may take less time. Just look at the plant label's height/width to make sure it will work for you. Many of the Endless Summer Series Hydrangeas and many of the Forever and Ever Series will work for you. And they are commonly sold here at Lowes, Walmart and others. No pruning, a stable water regimen and high nitrogen fertilizers (blood mdeal for examlpe) will also help accelerate grow. Just don't go overboard. Do not overwater as this can cause fungal diseases or root rot. And do not overfertilize as you can end with nice lush green leaves and no blooms. Sunlight will help produce bloomage based on "how much" sunlight the shrubs get so, lots of sun can yield lots of blooms and so forth. Too much sun here in TX and the blooms can brown out. Too much sun here and the leaves can suffer as well (especially in our awful summers). Bright shade will not produce the maximum bloomage but it still produces plenty. Dense shade is the one that can be a problem. Aim for 4-6 hours of sun and shade by 12pm (here) although less works too. If your shrubs are in bright shade, they will be ok. I have most of my hydrangeas on the north side of the house too and they bloom very well. I also periodically check the levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus regularly with one of those cheap soil testing kits, usually sold in Spring over here. If you still want something other than ES or if you want more hydrangeas, look at the plants offered for sale in April-May this year to see what strikes your fancy. They will be blooming so you can verify that you will like the shade of colors and the blooms. Note: Lowe's brings a limited number of hydrangeas to this area in March (maybe 1-2 varieties only) and then in April, it brings a whole bunch more. Annabelle (and its cousins) does well here. In bright shade, it will maintain its green color longer before it changes to white. Oakleaf hydrangeas also do very well here but read the labels; some of them grow to 10' tall so make sure the oakleaf hydrangea that you choose says it will be around 6' or so. Examples: Munchkin, Ruby Slippers, Pee Wee, Sikes Dwarf, Vaughn's Lillie and Jetstream. I have a Ruby Slippers under a Chinese Pistache Tree. Paniculatas are also another choice. But many also get large so just check the labels' height dimensions and look for 'dwarfs'. 'Dwarf' versions of paniculatas and oakleaf hydrangeas will get 3-6' in our long growing season. Luis

As much as I hate to say this, I will not be able to attend the swap tomorrow after all. Just got back from going to the doctor for my sinus problems and allergy problems. He told me to stay inside and not go outside unless absolutely necessary. These pollens in the air are playing havoc with my body and head. Had to take a mouthful of Advair this morning just to be able to breathe. ' Y'all have fun.