These hydrangeas were transplanted March of last year ('23). They had languished for years in a completely shady spot & we maybe got 2-3 wimpy flowers a year, plus they were only about 18" tall with a couple of branches. The only thing they grew were roots - I cut a lot of roots when I transplanted them. Now, they get morning sun & afternoon shade and are growing like crazy. They had some blooms last year, but this year, they're loaded.
The sunny side of the front beds (other side of the porch from hydrangeas) are facing northwest - more west than north. The sun here is intense and when transplanting last year, I decided to try lavender. Mom had a 'Super Blue' in a pot that was alive, but languishing on that side - took it out of the pot & put it in the ground & bought 2 more lavenders (not Super Blue - couldn't find it). The large lavender in front is the Super Blue - it took off and bloomed great last year, this year is even better. The two lavenders planted last spring (visible in background) are also starting to bloom well. We want to transplant all of them to the new house in the fall - they'll be on a sunny patio in huge pots (1 per pot) or maybe in my future herb garden.
Mom's beloved hostas ... the gourmet salad bar for the deer. The front of the house is mostly shady & the hostas are very happy early in the year. Once the deer start munching (they haven't yet), it gets 'ugly' .... mom covers them at night with sheets, which is a pain to put on & take off. She wants to transplant them to the new place that has a HERD of deer and I see them frequently. I have agreed to the huge hostas in the giant pots on each side of the steps (very bottom plant in pic is one of the 'giants') .... not taking anything else. I took her to a local nursery to check out Coral Bells ... similar to hostas & in many gorgeous colors, high tannin so deer don't munch ... her response was "I don't like Coral Bells". Bummer!
I've noticed that postimage pics tend to look out of focus - here's the gallery link if you want to see them in sharper detail - just 'double click' the pics:
Gallery Link