Lixy~ Mine bloom 2 times a year. early spring and fall. Here we cut them after the first blooms. Has to be prior to July. The saying here is that if you cut them after July you are sacrificing next year's blooms.

I don't think this climate is condusive to ours blooming two times a year, Lil. Least I've never seen anyone's (including mine) do that. There's a guy about a mile or so away...and his entire front yard is all azealaed (<--word?...is now!) out! It's so beautiful and tastefully done. I'm a bit reluctant...but I'm tempted to knock on his door and ask his secret!

Thanks for all the info Lil! I don't know if our climate differences change the way we maintain our bushes (pun not necessarily intended...but cute, eh?), but I'll try anything that might make these suckers go bananas! I want big bushes...not these itsy, bitsy ones I'm clinging to!

That musta cost them a fortune, Irish! I got one bush...rather nice size one...for 1/2 price at a recent garden center sale. It cost me $40.00! I envy that lady you know!

Awwwww! It's a shame that we didn't have this thread way back when you had trouble identifying some of the stuff you disposed of. But, I'm glad you have a garden now that you can call "your own"!

The little bit I know about mushrooms, you might be able to fill a thimble with...but here goes!

Most mushrooms prefer moist, dimly lit, well ventilated conditions. The more dimly lit the better. The mulch you got may have had some spawn (germinated mushroom spores) in it. I'm assuming (only an assumption on my part) that if you let the problem area dry out and allow it more light (trim back some trees to let filtered light in, but not so much so as to ruin the shade loving plants too) you'll kill the spores that exist and no others can grow. Also...another thought...gently pull the mushrooms that do pop up. Don't stomp them or bury them, cause you'll leave the possibility of spawn behind. Don't let them get old either. The older they are (say, about 3-7 days) the more time they have to reproduce. Hope this helps Maddy! If you are reluctant to take this advice (and I wouldn't blame you, since I am no expert on mushrooms)...you can look up Mycology on the net. It's the study of mushrooms!

Lixy I have tons of plants in the yard that I purchased a year ago. My neighbor beside me told me that most of the bushes and trees started from rooting limbs. Perhaps you can do that with your burning bush.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! I love that idea Summer! TY very much! I know I can do it with forsythia...I didn't even think of the burning bush!

((((((Summer))))))

Hey! They have to propagate somehow...right?

Yes, and preferably so that you don't have to pay $40 a bush! ;) I am all about having a beautiful yard and a fraction of the cost. My husband goes and takes clippings from some trees he wants (after asking the owners of course) and roots them.

TY so much Lil and Summer! I added that link to my faves! It has excellent advice!

Lixy---The woman,that I was referring to, has to be(without exaggeration)in her '80s.The bushes were there,when we bought
our place & we have been here(approx)27 yrs.The bushes,are(approx)8/10 ft. tall & who knows how many times that they have been cut back.She & her husband,used to do all of the yard
work.He died,a few yrs. ago,& now she(stubbornly)tries to do everything herself.Yesterday,while cutting my grass,I saw her using a Riding mower & hand mower on her place.Older people
(myself included)had a different work ethic.Now most people,think
that Manual Labor,is someone of Spanish decent! Irish

Hint for everyone.In Conn.,my father used to be a State Cop,so he knew alot of highway workers.Periodically,in the spring,we would ride around,& take plants,that were in ? many ft.,from the
edge of the road.The highway workers told him that,every yr.,the
state workers,cut,to the ground,ALL of the plants that border the road.My driveway & front border,are fenced with fir trees,that were once saplings.Now they are(approx)15/20 ft. tall.Plus they
were free with a little labor. Irish
P.S.Check your State & Town regs,to see how many ft. they use!

A small suggestion to everyone. Most all mushrooms are harmless to gardens. and actually can help. because mushrooms only last for about 1-3 days once they die. they dry out and leave small air pockets in the soil, making it loose and manageable for the roots of plants to grow through. also it helps collect and hold moisture. That's the technical side.

And the better part is mushrooms are cute lil boogers.. just think you could have a whole town of Smurfs living in your garden. and who wouldnt want that? =P

My wife treats me like a growing mushroom!
1:She feeds me shit!
2:She keeps me in the dark!
Seriously,most of the mushrooms,that grow in my yard,grow in mossy,damp soil. Irish

Thanks for the mushroom advice... I've been stomping them rather than trying to pull, no wonder they keep coming back!!! I sure hope they aren't harmful to critters as the birds and neighborhood cats seem quite interested. But I suppose, I'd rather them eat the mushrooms than my plants.

I got all 7 of my pre-planted oriental lily's planted in the ground, along with the 4 that I had already planted in the ground a few weeks ago, forgoing the potting process. My delphinums are planted, with my snow pansy in the middle, and the dead nettle is against the steps, in the shade. YAY! I feel so accomplished. :p