skipinnz: Thanks for the tidbit on Hydrangeas. This is year two for me trying them ( taking them from old mothers day potted plants an putting them in the ground) had beautiful purple blooms last year an just learning now about acid soil and now that affects the colour of the blooms. Ive got 4 now in my flower bed, only one is showing the start of flower buds. So when you say to cut them back ruthlessly, can you elaborate? These are only about 6 to 9 inches high in my flower beds now