Oh yes! it's a beautiful hydrangea!!!

http://hcs.osu.edu/plantlisttext/des.../co_kousa.html

Okay, I had to go to Lowe's today, and they had some awesome trees at great prices.

I got a Bur Oak and an Eastern Redbud, two trees I absolutely love!

They're both native to Illinois too so I think I'll have good luck with them. I brought them home and planted them myself. It was cool and sunny this afternoon.

The Bur oak is about six feet tall and has the big beautiful leaves they're famous for. The redbud is about ten feet tall and nicely branched. It also has big and pretty leaves. I can't wait to see the redbud in the spring with its deep orchid flowers!

I just feel so fortunate to have all this done this year. Now I hope everything makes it through the winter. It's supposed to be really cold! I peeked into an Old Farmer's Almanac when I was at Lowe's.

hi Wiz ... I LOVE LOVE LOVE hydrangeas ... just a note that I learned (watching PBS - Victory Garden) ... is that depending on the acidity in the soil will make the blossoms darker ...

the blues will go purple-ly ... and the pinks will go darker ...

check your soil so you won't get a surprise next spring ...

hmmmm - I may just have to scoot down by you and check out your garden in Spring!

Just let me know Vonn, and I'll make you a tasty meal. We could have a GTG with DM, Sandy & Jim and Frank & Deb.

I forgot to mention that I also bought some hard plastic tree guards for the trunks of the new babies. It should keep the rabbits from devouring them this winter. (Those wascally wabbits!)

When I go out in the backyard, there will be anywhere from 1-3 rabbits sitting and munching clover. I talk to them and they just look at me like, "Momma please don't forget to fill the bird feeder so we can lay under it..." If I get too close to them they hop away casually. They like to be at least 5-6 feet away as a rule.

oooooo, oooooo ... a midwest GTG ... sounds like a plan ..

I love ga-dens (from my secret garden) ... I can live thru your virtual garden ... you'll have to start posting pics!!

sometimes the tape (or paint) around the bottom foot works .. and wire around your bushes don't forget ..

start a journal of what you purchased and when ... and where you planted it .. and where you purchased it from ... and take pictures!!

Vonn,

Those are good ideas. I do have some little white plastic tags that stick in the ground. If I get around to it this weekend, I think I'll do just that!