All lime is not the same. And you need to really be careful when adding Dolomite lime (and K-Mag) bc it has too high of a Ca to Mg ratio and you will have way too much Mg if you use it as your only source of Ca. Also, in ag lime "additional chemicals vary depending on the mineral source and may include calcium oxide, magnesium oxide and magnesium carbonate" (Wikipedia links in green). Folks, many of the questions asked here are easily answered with much more reliable information if you do your own research on Google as some of these replies are providing incomplete or inaccurate information. You have the internet and all the information it contains at your fingertips. Put it to use for some research and you will have information that you can be much more confident about and you did it essentially on your own. For those who want the real scoop as to what this stuff really is and how it affects your plants: Ag Lime: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_lime Hydrated Lime (Calcium Hydroxide): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_hydroxide Dolomite lime: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolomite Gypsum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsum Hope that helps.

whaas - Milaegers has them listed in their plant guide. We didn't get there yet though. We usually go on Mother's Day but went to Minor's so hope to go this coming weekend unless we have monsson rains. I will call first to be sure they have what I want though since it is quite a drive. If you go - save me a couple! :) wildcatnurseryman - hellesbores look interesting. This area might get more shade eventually but will get quite a bit of sun right now - especially (late) afternoon sun. Would these do OK in sun? If not - I will look for another place to try some of these out though. Thanks. This post was edited by maries1120 on Mon, May 13, 13 at 8:32

Not sure how well it will do in Zone 9 but, you made me remember a picture I saw a while back. It was Limelights and a red Crape Myrtle, repeated (L, CM, L, CM, L, CM, etc), and it looked fantastic. Somewhere in California... wish I remembered where. Oh well. I would not expose LL to too much sun in warm locations. In my zone 8 and with my hot summer sun, the leaves suffer so, morning sun & afternoon shade would be my recommendation. LL in plain full but bright shade will stay lime green for longer periods of time than if it had more direct sun. Direct sun tends to trigger color change from lime to white-ish so if you prefer the lime green then give it more shade; if you want the white-ish then give it more sun. LL blooms are a little off white while plain Limelight is a bit more pure white if that makes any sense.

Azaleas and rhodies would extend the "blooming season" to the time when hydrangeas have not bloomed yet. Sasanqua camellias, mums or daylilies would do the same for the Fall although hydrangeas would already have blooms by then... not sure if you would like all these blooming at the same time. Not sure what your zone is though so make sure the shrubs are winter hardy to your zone and, fyi.... you have a great looking porch! Wish I had one.