Also, I didn't address this, but I got this from Ashdown in 2009, so I it is an own root plant. At least that is my understanding. But I don't think there would be anyway for me to separate the roots of the diseased from the rest, because the most recent new growth is almost in the center, while the other section is on the far left. That would seem to me to indicate that too much of it is infected to even consider separating it. I'm not sure I have much confidence in it surviving anyway (especially with me doing a chopping job on it). I think I might be better off to bite the bullet, and proceed with another plan. I can't imagine the frustration of hacking down a row of productive blackcurrents 3 times. That had to be extremely painful. One thing this has done is motivate me to work on other areas of the lawn that I planned to take over anyway. My husband has been a bit resistant, but I have shown him enough nice examples of what can be done that he is now on board. I have about 13 boxwood, a cedar, and many other things that I need to plant now anyway. I've learned a great deal, and that is one of the things I love about gardening anyway-endless number of things to learn, and some aspects are just trial and error ultimately. You can't succeed if you don't try, and there are bound to be failures no matter what you do.

Yeah, paniculatas like PW typically do very well. It is a good choice so check: (a) that you are not feeding it too much fertilizer - a single application of a general purpose, slow release fertilizer in the Spring should do well for the whole year (assuming your soil has no mineral deficiencies); (b) paniculatas need more sun but do not go overboard with sun exposure or the leaves may complain; (c) watch out for deer/squirrels/etc, pests that like to eat the flower buds and which would prevent you from getting bloomage; (d) do not prune them once they leaf out (just in case you are pruning when the shrubs are developing the flower buds). They bloom quite early here too so it is best to not prune once they leaf out. Instead, prune when they have lost their foliage or better yet, do not prune at all. If planted where they can attain their estimated size at maturity, hydrangeas should need minimal pruning. Maybe only pruning of any stems that died out during winter. Some shrubs may need 2-3 years to develop a good root system so they shrubs may delay blooming *or may delay good blooming) until then. Also, maintain the soil as evenly moist as you can so the plant does not abort the flower buds during a dry spell in late Spring or Summer... 3-4" of mulch helps with watering issues... Water when soil feels dry to a depth of 4". A 1g to 2g watering is sufficient (depends on how to tall the plants are) per watering when the soil feels dry or almost dry.

Clairtx, that's a beautiful example of what Climbing pinkie can do in the landscape! My climbing pinkie leans on a chain link fence. As you might be able to tell in the photo below, with age, it will develope some fairly stiff canes. However, the young canes are very flexible and very near thornless making it easy to work with. You could drive a heavy piece of rebar into the ground and tie the young canes to it to get it started being a draping pillar rose. The beauty of this rose is that it has so many possibilities for use. Antique rose emporium winds the young canes around and through a cedar rail fence. Roses of this type bloom even more on lateral canes so if you find something to use for attaching it to the fence in an espalier fashion that would be pretty too. It can get to be a big rose, but is not a monster rose in that you can easily get in there to work with it and cut back any canes that are not part of the design you want.

My hubby was using a router for a wood project I had. He slipped somehow and routed one of his fingers. After we got him to the hospital, I thought I'd be brave and stay in the room while they stitched him up. First injection to numb, the needle went deep into his finger and they were picking me up off the floor and taking me out of the room. Fortunately, they didn't need my help in there. Moni, I hope you're feeling better!