A hydrangea made for experimenting

Would you like to start growing hydrangeas?

One way to get your feet wet is to plant the Mini Penny in a container. The catch is it would have to go inside during the winter. It's hardy if mulched here in our area, but only when planted in the ground, not in a container.

This is a real mophead hydrangea that blooms in pink or blue, depending on the acid content of your soil, which is much easier to control in a container.

According to the Web site www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com, you add aluminum sulfate or organic material if you want it blue, dolomitic lime and fertilizer with phosphorus for pink. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, and it reblooms, especially if you deadhead.

The Mini Penny, named for the late Penny McHenry, founder of the American Hydrangea Society, is available at Home Depot stores. It is part of the Gardener's Confidence Collection from McCorkle Nurseries Inc. in Georgia. Visit www.gardeners confidence.com.

Just be sure your yard is big enough

Briggs & Stratton, the Milwaukee company that makes lawn mowers and is big on contests, wants to give you some very nice prizes.

It's a little complicated, but might be fun.

You can enter once each day. There are many prizes in several categoreis, but the featured ones vary each month.

For example, if you want a backyard where you can relax, you might win a spa in August. You get to choose the model you want, and they are valued between $6,095 and $11,895.

On the other hand, a comfy hammock large enough for your whole family or some close friends certainly says relaxation, too, although it's also on the gardener's paradise list.

If you're into athletics, you can win your own set of bleachers this month or a putting green in September.

A lawn tractor is August's featured prize in the gardener's category, while partyers can win an above-ground swimming pool this month.

A great playset is the featured prize in September for folks who crave a Kids' Zone.

The contest is at www.mydreamback yard.com.