Why I Oughta...

Yesterday, I posted details of how I had to move a small Tuff Stuff Red Mountain Hydrangea to make room for some new Oakleaf Hydrangeas.   I had been holding a few spots for some shade-tolerant Hydrangeas (per our plan) that extend the row of Alice Oakleaf Hydrangeas from our kitchen window bed all the way back to the south Oak tree.   The plan calls for a mix of Oakleaf and Tardiva Hydrangeas - both shade-tolerant flowering shrubs - to fill in the remaining space.   I was on a trip to Menards and came across a pair of Oakleaf Hydrangeas that weren't on my radar:  Snowqueen Oakleaf Hydrangeas.  Here's the tag on the shrub: And, here below is the full tag: That idea of Winter protection for the first year is new (to me).  Maybe I can do leaf mulch with these, too? The Missouri Botanical Garden has this page up with this description that had me at the word 'upright': SNOW QUEEN has an upright broad, rounded habit and typically grows 4-6' tal...

This is the first true Spring for the treeform Doublefile Viburnum shrubs that I planted early last Spring.  I say "first true" Spring because I planted these when they were *mostly* still dormant last year and they leaf'd out post-planting.  I planted four of these and three have made it through the first year.  The best of the bunch is along the northside and that's the one that has been the most prolific early bloomer.  Below are a couple of photos showing the blooms in mid-May.  They're really quite nice as they sit - sort-of - on 'top' of the shrub.   I didn't have treeform on my radar when I bought these, but I'm sure glad that I pulled the trigger and brought these home.  The treeform Viburnum provides two great benefits (for me...at least):  Instant height and maturity coupled with ability to underplant with perennials.  

Last Spring, I found and brought home four good-sized Viburnum shrubs that were 'treeform ' - in that they had single trunks and the shrub was sort-of placed ON TOP.  I planted two of them on the northside , one in the far back and the last one as a Hydrangea replacement out front . Welp...that one out front died.  Didn't make it.  I shouldn't have planted it there, but the Norway Maple and the mat of roots, combined with hydrophobic soil helped out and killed it.   The other three?  They're all back for year two.  I'd say that these had just about a full growing season last year, so this is their second full season in my mind.  The two on the northside are further along that the one out back.  They both have more foliage across the tips. First...below you can see one of the northside Viburnum.  This one is planted further West.   And here below, is the other one - planted closer to the house.  It is full of newly emerged ...