Some simple details:

Plant Type: Clematis
Hardiness: USDA zones: 4-11. Heat zones: 9-1.
Mature size: 10-13 feet
Flowering period: July to August.
Flowering attributes: Large, single flower with dark purple sepals, violet bars down center and yellow-green anthers.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil.
Pruning Methods: Pruning group 3
I love Clematis, and this is one of my favorites.

Orange Accent Home Accessories Cushion

Accent Cushion Orange

Arden Doulton Home Accessories Cushion

Arden Doulton Cushion

Outdoor Patio  Deep Seating Home Accessories Cushion

Outdoor Patio Cushion

Wicker Seat Home Accessories Cushion

Wicker Seat Cushion

Algoma Cushion

Algoma Cushions for Hanging Chairs

Sturdy Knee Home Accessories Cushion

I’m not sure when I’ll finally go pick up one of these, but I may even check out some local garage sales.  Sometimes you can find some decent used Home Accessories Cushions.

1. What is the stones weight?
2. How will the stones transport?
3. moving stones?
4. stones in pounds
5. heavy stones
6. lifting guidelines
7. decorative stones
8. garden stones

A great way to make your garden bloom!

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Endless Summer Hydrangea

These guys entered the market, taking on the “Bloom Once, and flop over like a dead bird” Hydrangea’s, and not surprisngly, they did well.  Let’s state it right here, these Hydrangea’s dont flop over like day old bread, and they bloom “endlessly” all summer!

Where to Buy “Endless Summer” Hydrangea’s?

Monrovia sells excellent plants.  They carry the Endless Summer / Summer Endless variety, even some of the newer varieties like “Blushing Bride”.  You can purchase them from here.

Michael Dirr's book on "Endless Summer" Hydrangea

Reference Material

The most amazing book on Hydrangea’s has to be Michael Dirr’s book on Hydrangeas.  First he travels the Earth researching various varieties.  Then he writes a 200 page book on the different qualities and aspects of Hydrangeas.  The photos are gorgeous, but the info in the book is even more amazing.  His love of Hydrangeas comes out on every page, and makes the reader feel the same.  Well worth the $20 odd dollars it costs.

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Initial Purchase

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I planted 3 Endless Summer Hydrangeas last summer.  Unfortunately, making the mistake of paying $5 at Walmart, to buy the half-dead, dehydrated sale plants.  They were browning and struggling.  I picked them up anyway, thinking I could save them.  Surprisingly, they responded to the water and care, and gave me some nice blooms.  You can see in the attached photo that they were giving blooms the first year…even when treated badly.

After the first Year

Winter came, (and mind you, we had the mildest winter on record ever in Ontario)  and come Spring, 1 Endless Summer was just dead, the other 2 put up very small buds, and wouldn’t grow.  Rumor had it that the constant thaw / freeze caused excessive ice formation in the soil, killing the plants.  You can see in the photos the tiny buds that indicate some life.  But they were struggling

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After 10 weeks into summer, I gave up on plant#2 and pulled it out. This time, I went to an actual Nursery and paid good money for some nice varieties that were blooming and growing well.  The third plant lingered as a small bloom, but then finally, in July, it started to grow and bloom.  You can see it in the photos below, it is the pink plant.

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Conclusion

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In the end, I’m happy with these plants. They grow well, bloom right away and look great. The Endless Summer variety are extra hardy and blooming, so I always look for these. And their awesome colors are, well, awesome.

The leaves were so unbelievably glossy, the flower petals seemed to shimmer “silverly”. Even a fellow gardening walking the aisle commented as she walked by. I caved in and purchased these beauties.

It’s called Rose “The Fairy” – a minature rose that has many cousins.  I prefer this “first” myself.

From HGTV.com’s list of carefree roses by Mary C. Weaver:

‘The Fairy’: With a name like that, you might think ‘The Fairy’ delicate. Don’t let this polyantha’s diminutive, cupped double pink blooms fool you: this plant is nearly indestructible. Introduced in 1932 by Ann Bentall of England, one of the few female hybridizers in the rose world, ‘The Fairy’ begins blooming somewhat late in the season but keeps on going into fall. Clusters of blooms form along the entire length of the shrub’s prickly canes. The foliage is tiny, medium-green, glossy and disease-resistant. If you live in a warm climate, make sure ‘The Fairy’ gets some afternoon shade–the soft-pink flowers will fade in hot sun. Hardy to Zone 4. A low and spreading shrub 2 to 3 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet in width.

In the end, ‘The Fairy’ Rose / Rosa ‘ The Fairy’ is a great miniature, and suprisingly hardy. I recommend it heartily.

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Hydrangea Paniculata “Grandiflora” Planted: Aug 2008.

1. Year 1 – Just Bought, awaiting their final abode.

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1. Year 2 -June 2009

The plants had been in for about a year, but I was ignoring them.  The marketing wing of “Proven Winners” was too strong and I almost wished these plain white PG’s would die.

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1. Year 3 – June 2010

But Lo and Behold, these bad boys held on, and for a good run as well.  In their third year, they’ve withstood drought and neglect.  Not to mention they mesh together beautifully, making an excellent hedge specimen.  I am waiting for these to bloom later in the year.  (I Believe it’s fall).

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In Front

1. Day Lilly – “Salieri“
2. Day Lilly – “Rocket City“
3. Day Lilyy – “Custard Candy“
4. Boxwood – “Green Velvet” – (Replacement Plant)
5. Dwarf Evergreen plant beside pine tree
6. 2x Varigated groundcover under pine trees
7. Heuchera – “BlackOut” (Replacement Plant)
8. 2x Iris – “Versicolor“

On the side – Backup Plants

1. Hydrangea – “Nikko Blue” (Backup Plant)
2. Hydrangea – “Invincibelle Spirit“

In Back

1. Rose of Sharon – White tips / Red center
2. 2x Hydrangea – “Let’s dance Moonlight“
3. 2x Hydrangea – “Incrediball“
4. Miniature Roses – Pink
5. Bearded Iris

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