I sort of "share" this border with my next door neighbor. But 3 years ago, I asked if she minded if I took over the planting. She agreed, and provides the pine straw mulch every year. (a nice tradeoff). 

The border sits beneath 3 oak trees. Half of the border is covered with azaleas, and the other half was just a mess.

So, since it has good shade from the trees, 3 years ago my Dad and I bought half a dozen hydrangeas and filled up the other half of the border. Four of them have held on through crazy frosts, drought, and several large collies who peed on them (sigh)

Today I uncovered them, and added a few coffee grounds to the soil just at their base.

My healthiest hydrangea, the one right in the center, had a surprise for me! During the winter it shot out a root about 2 feet long and some green leaves were sprouting from it.

I covered the root with some good loose soil, and hope the rain in the forecast will settle it down a bit.

 

A garden starts anew.