SWGB was first published in 1954 and the most recent, ninth edition, was published in 2012. So no, it is not reissued every year. And the essential info does not change...it just gets added to and updated. The amount of variables and data compiled for the SWG zones is very detailed. Which is why there are 24 zones just for the state of CA compared to only 13 zones for the entire country under the USDA zonal system. The factors that are evaluated to develop the zones include latitude, elevation, marine influence, continental air influence, rainfall, both high and low temperatures, mountains and hills, growing seasons and microclimates. For example, the Bay area where you live has 4 distinct climate zones. The book does not just address California....it encompasses pretty much everything west of the Rockies, as gardening in the western portion of the country is really very different from anywhere else. Even though we may share similar USDA zones. The elder could certainly be used as a hedge plant. And is, in mixed hedgerow settings as are common in the UK. But with a hedge comprised of a single plant species/cultivar, there is always the risk of one or more dying before its time for whatever reason, leaving a too obvious gap in the hedge. Mix it up. It is a lot more interesting and contributes more to biodiversity on all levels. I sure wouldn't like the look of it pruned into a formal or geometric shape (and it wouldn't stay like that for very long) but nothing says you can't have an untrimmed, more natural looking specimen plant surrounded by low trimmed hedges.

I am new to Rhododendron planting so I studied many sources with good database, e.g. ARS, local chapters, Gardenia, Singing Tree Nurseries etc. etc. I found there are lots of inconsistencies of plant size, i.e. same plant may be listed as different sizes cross different websites for their 10yr and mature size. Of course, I understand the sun/temp/soil/other environmental conditions play a big role on a specific plant's growth, but I suppose the database like ARS would provide an impression of plant sizes relative to each other, indicative of the plant's nature. Here is a list of plants I recently bought from a nursery: Catawbiense Boursault Anna Rose Whitney (disease prone?) Roseum Elegans Honourable Jean Marie de Montague Christmas Cheer Edith Bosley Anah Kruschke GoldFlimmer variegated These are all "big" type. Out of these 8, assuming the same growth condition, which ones are comparatively smaller, and which ones that have a growth habit of width > height? Are they disease resistant in zone 9b? - 1st application is to put one plant outside of a southeast facing window w/ 5-6' max height - 2nd application is to put one plant outside of a northeast facing window w/ 7-8' max height (ground is lower on that side) - 3rd application to put 3-4 plants next to a Northwest facing fence with some shade from big trees. The purpose is to eventually provide a prettier coverage than a plain fence, so I would prefer the ones that can spread and grow to 7-8' or even taller. I will plant them 8-10' apart. Since this Northwest facing fence will get less sun exposure, I guess they will grow slower? Would appreciate expert's help!

Definitely a pest, not stress or fungus. The leaf top right in picture one appears to have rolling and webbing. Is there a caterpillar in any of the rolls?

I need something rather narrow to fit in the (at certain points) 3’ wide strip along one side of my house. I’d also like something tall enough to hide my view of the massive, two-story expanse of siding my neighbor just installed on the other side of my strip/fence but short enough so as not to interfere with the power lines above. Any suggestions or ideas would be welcome!