If you've read through all the threads on Endless Summer you might come to the conclusion that its claims of blooming "all summer into fall" could be a bit overstated. Success with this selection has not been uniform and for many gardeners, once the plant has been purchased and established in the garden, it doesn't quite live up to its hype. While its greater hardiness pretty much ensures it survives across a wide range of climates, the amount of dieback that occurs each winter, at least in colder winter climates, seems to just stunt the plant in terms of overall growth and blooming potential. Those gardeners in warmer climates simply have better and heavier flowering choices available. This is not to discourage you from choosing this selection, only to make you aware of what you can expect. And it would not be happy in a full sun location in a hot summer climate like Utah. Dappled all day shade or morning sun and afternoon shade is preferred. It's not going to provide you with blue flowers, but I'd suggest your first hydrangea choice be one of the paniculatas, perhaps 'Limelight'. Flowers will be globular, not flat, but they will start as greenish buds, open to a pure, creamy white, fade to a rosey pink and then finish as a green-pink tone. Paniculatas are very easy to grow, are more sun and drought tolerant than just about any other species, very hardy and bloom heavily. And because they bloom on new growth (rather than the old growth of most macs), they can be pruned each spring to maintain a specific size. btw, 'Bailmer' is the patented cultivar name - Endless Summer is the trademarked (sale) name. Here is a link that might be useful: growing Endless Summer (Bailey Nursery website)

Thank you so much Pluckymama. That is a great help (and you are right, they do look great). I am off tomorrow to see a few more slabs of SS (Minas and Beleza) and will take another look at the Nordic Black. The Mumbai Grey SS that I took a sample of is doing the same watermark thing you are experiencing (and wow, the mineral oil only holds for a day at most). Soapstone International has told me it has to do with the finish (which they 400 grit, but that sounded kind of crazy considering). As I was thinking about the watermark issue, I just wondered if anyone has tried carnuba wax? I say this because it is used on cars (stay with me), and on the glossy coating of candy (like M&Ms). My thinking? Food grade, OK. And if it buffs to the point that it protects car exteriors, it is obviously durable.

A dark slate would be very handsome...and very dark. You would need to update the lighting in that hallway (which might mean updating your entire electrical panel if it shown to be below today's code). The bench would be "lost" visually on a dark floor. The paint and the trim would need to be updated to "as bright as possible". Personally I think an extension of the wood floor would be an excellent idea. The scheme would not change. It would be a "like for like" change. But the use of this space (hallway) will dictate the material used. If this is a wet entrance with HIGH traffic that is always muddy/mucky the a tile or stone finish is always the best option. It is your choice. Be aware that dark floors will darken the area and make it feel smaller. That means you would have to compensate by either doubling or tripling the amount of lighting you have in that area (add more windows or add more light fixtures....which could lead to more costs).

Hi Jane, it is a long way from the fires in an inner suburb of Sydney. Nearly every day for the last month the weather forecast has said smoke haze and the drought continues. A very hot day earlier this week 45C. About 113F. Yuk. Water restrictions imposed..Not allowed to use the garden hose, so have to wash cars, water the garden with a watering can... 7mm of rain in December and lucky to get that, a sprinkle overnight, fingers crossed the weather looks like it might get back to normal soon. Thanks for the good wishes , the extent and damage of the fires is not overstated in the news. Added via edit, sorry about the metric, 7mm = .275 of an inch