Just want to second the recommendation to visit Broken Arrow -- THE source for all things mountain laurel (and lots of other plants, too -- the largest hardy magnolia collection on the East Coast, I think I read?) It's worth the trip. I think they open the first week of April usually. I don't know 'Bridesmaid' either but found this on the UConn hort website (nothing about height, unfortunately): "'Bridesmaid' - Dark pink buds open to reveal a bicolor bloom on this plant. The outer edges of the flower are pink, while the center is light pink to white. With age, the corolla edge rolls back, making each flower look like a pink porcelain plate. The foliage is dark green and leaf spot resistant. It blooms excessively in sun, so it is best situated in part shade to strike a better balance between shoot growth and flower production." I noticed that Broken Arrow doesn't have it listed as one of their offerings in their online catalog, but I'd give them a call anyway and ask about it. If they don't have it, they can probably tell you where to get it (or get it for you).

Great! Are you near Jackson, Dawn? I live in Beech Bluff but work in Jackson. I will be happy to run by your house (or meet you somewhere, whichever you prefer) to pick up the figs! Maybe one day next week after work? I am doing raised bed vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, etc.) as well as trying to find orchard fruit cuttings. I am also trying to start a little perennial garden to attract butterflies and bees for pollination. Thanks, Pam

It must be a mountain laurel, then, because years ago I dug way down trying to pull it out and never did find the end of the tap root! There are 3 of these in a row, and the one I tried to dig up is too close to the garage. I finally went out and smelled the leaves of the other mystery plant. I didn't smell anything in particular, just a typical leaf-y smell that sort of reminded me of a pepper plant. I noticed the leaves had a fuzzy texture. Do you think it'll survive if I dig it out and move it toward the back of the bed? It's already too tall where it is, and if it's a eupatorium it sounds like it may get even taller!

You can prune it anyway you want to and it will just bush out from the cut limbs. The reason I know this is because I have a large mountain laurel planted between the street and the sidewalk. I prune the sides of it with electric hedge shears a couple of times a year to keep the sidewalk clear. Where it's been pruned makes a wall of green down to the bottom of the tree, which in this instance I prefer to give some privacy from the street. Here's a photo I just took. All you see is Mountain Laurel except for a little bit of the Cedar Elm tree at the upper left: Be advised that the buds for next years flowers have already formed, at least they have on my trees. They are the scaley looking rat tail things sticking out from the tips of the foliage, so you will loose next years flowers where ever you prune them off, but if you want to change the height of shape of the tree you'll just have to bite the bullet and prune it now.