[metmom]

4. Perennials generally need three years to achieve their mature size after you plant them. Remember the adage that they “sleep, creep, and leap” each year, respectively.

Good to know because I'm watching some of the bushes I planted a couple years ago and they just look like they are languishing.

Funny thing is, I was at Wal-Mart a few months ago and they had plants greatly reduced. I picked up a neglected, orphaned rhododendron that looked like it was not long for this world and planted it. I have never had a perennial I bought, even from high end plant sources, that has done as well as that bush.

I constantly get a laugh out of how my Wal-Mart rhododendron is outperforming everything else I bought.

We've had our first few hard freezes here and now it's time to clean up all the freeze killed vegetation and get ready for next spring.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I constantly get a laugh out of how my Wal-Mart rhododendron is outperforming everything else I bought.”

When I worked for Jung’s and when we had nursery trees and shrubs that were marked down, they usually ended up at my farm.

Those plants seem to have a stronger will to live and were grateful just to be out of a pot and in the ground! :)