So, you now have a plethora of possibilities for the piece of real estate that ES was utilizing! Have you thought what you will replace it with?

That's pretty crappy looking for 11 years. Haha. A couple of mine have needed to be moved/potted/replanted a couple of times but I've not lost one in 8 years (ES Original).

luis - not sure yet..want to make a good decision this time

springwood - it didn't die..was waist high & fully leafed out but bloomless..posted a pic on my macrophylla update post..just hacked it down!..didn't bloom with winter protection & I've thrown in the towel..

tsugajunkie - no more worrying about this dumb shrub for me!

jGood for you. I think its a sign of maturation to know when to stop investing precious time in unrewarding plants. One might know that a hydrangea petiolaris often takes 5 years to get a few blooms and that is patience well applied.

But a plant like the much touted Endless Struggle isn't worth more than 3 years. If growers were ever held accountable for truth in advertising....or at least adequate plant trials in a variety of climates ....there would be a lot fewer frustrated gardeners.

Marie - I admit I enjoyed cutting it down!!..the marketing is dishonest in my opinion..too bad it doesn't bloom for everyone..I'm sticking with tried & true..

Off with its Head!!!!! Good for you nicholsworth55. I have to confess to a feeling of power when I make the same decision!

ophoenix - feels great to take charge..decided NOT to feel guilty destroying a plant - if I don't enjoy it..

I agree - Endless Summer was a real loser for me. Last summer it was a huge plant that didn't produce a single bloom! And its advertised to bloom on new wood - well, mine sure didn't, here in zone 6 NJ, and that was kind of the whole point of the plant, or so I thought. Anyway, I banished mine to what I call "Botany Bay" - the back end of the garden that is shady and weedy. When plants get banished there, they either survive or don't but get no help from me. (I guess the only reason I didn't toss it is that I figured that back there, even if it doesn't bloom, at least it will crowd out some weeds as a green plant). Much MUCH better, for me, is Twist and Shout - it really DOES bloom on new wood! Plus I think its lace cap style flowers are much prettier than Endless Summer. Nikko Blue is pretty reliable, and Blue Billow is great (though surprisingly hard to find!)

ES Original *should work* for everybody in moist, rich dark organic soil and with high phosphorus fertilizer. Sun or shade the leaves should get very large and the plant should reach 4x4' every season, and bloom. If not, there is something amiss.

Blushing Bride would be the most susceptible to freeze damage and shyest to bloom. Never got more than 3-4 blooms on any plant for 6+ years now.

frances - my feelings exactly!!..big green dud..didn't even banish mine somewhere I was that sick of it..Twist & Shouts r better..have 2 & they're blooming!..

springwood - TRULY believe that my climate is "amiss"..have 3 neighbors plus myself that r disappointed..how could all 4 of us be bad gardeners?(we're not)..mine was 11 yrs old!..

Location (and the corresponding winters/temps) makes a huge difference, so I don't think they "should work" for everybody. Where I am, I absolutely have to cover and keep them covered until mid to late April if I want flowers. They also like an Eastern exposure. Mine are all covered with buds right now, and a few are just starting to turn pink.

I still had a tough hydrangea year though. I have a bunch of Annabelles I've had for years (10+?, and I lost all or part of quite a few.

Not pointing fingers - sometimes things just don't work out. I've had countless smaller perennials literally disappear into the earth with no trace to be seen and was left wondering what I did wrong! :P

(I've now had ESO's on all directional exposures and 4-6 hours of sun, but some have taken a few dig-outs and relocations to make happy.)

ruth - u made me feel better..I did keep it alive for 11 years..disappointed that with protection still NO blooms so I called it quits..

springwood - still say ESO does not perform as claimed in my zone..where r the blooms on 11 yrs of new wood?

I have an Endless Summer that is small, but does make blooms. My mother got one 10 years ago and it is huge, and sometimes it makes blooms and sometimes it doesn't. Frankly, I've given up on all macrophylla type hydrangeas in this climate. Even the local Ag extension said all the stems and buds on macrophylla hydrangeas were killed off this winter and should be cut to the ground. At least with ES there is a chance I might get a few blooms on new growth since last year's growth is all dead. Someone gave me an unlabeled lace-cap last summer and the poor thing has barely any new growth and the old is all dead. I'm on to Paniculatas and Aborecens (excuse my spelling)!

ruth0552 - I agree..try Quick Fire..mine r new but I love them..Annabelles r wonderful too..