Nice

have never seen this on Ayesha but I have one new cutting that looks exactly like this one. I will check the tag tomorrow and take a photo. It is the only one in the garden that is similar. My first thought would be that this is growing under Ayesha but it sounds like you have checked the branch and it is from the main plant. Very interesting problem.

on closer look at your photo - what are the variegated leaves just under the popcorn type blossoms? It is another plant? Ayesha does not have variegated leaves - do the leaves on the flat blossoms look like the ones on the rest of the shrub? Could there possibly be two shrubs almost in the same spot?

How odd. I have not seen it either (in person or pictures) or read about it in the books I checked. You also gt a 'stray' Rose of Sharon growing in there too, no?

Oh the Ayesha is definitely all one plant. That was actually overwintered in a pot because I wanted to guarantee blooms this season. After the mutated bloom is spent, I'm going to see if I can cut that stem off (it's only about 8" long) and attempt to stabilize a new plant. My only question would be what is/was Ayesha a mutation of in the first place? Like would this event here be a leap back to stage 1 or forward to stage 3?

The variegation is Aegopodium / Snow on the Mountain / Bishop's Weed. Each year it fills in that bed on its own (has since I bought the place), but I always end up pulling about half of it up because I don't want it everywhere. I find it useful in preventing other more unsightly weeds. For anyone who might care, it actually stifles out lamium completely. I also mounded rocks around the AC but the SOTM actually grows under and through them!

Yep, that's a Rose of Sharon. I'm growing a few of those in the rear along the foundation wall for 3D effect and will be trying to keep them about 2-3' wide by 8' tall.

You may have to brush up on Japanese. :o)

It is sometimes called Uzu Ajisai. See if you can find bloom's form change information under that name.

I would leave it alone this year. But I would instead put something on the stem to mark/identify the stem in future years. To see if the change is stable. And winter protect it.

Luis, good comments - I did not know of the original plant name. I also agree to leave it on for this year. may I suggest some marks with a magic marker - sharpie right on the stem. Twist tags can fall off if you cut the stem.

I checked the tag in the pot of the one that looks identical to your flat blossoms and it is one of the Raven series. Will try to get some photos later today or tomorrow.

Springwood, This might be the answer - or at least where it has happened on another plant. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1023315/  check this out!!!

Thanks all! This is getting a lot more interesting than i thought. :P