I had Lord of the Ring for 3 years planted close to a shrub. It did not bloom much, even though it was not shaded by the shrub. I moved it in 2018 and realized the roots of the shrub were really taking over, probably kept it from doing well. It did really well last year, blooming for a long time, better color and finally reached the height it should have. A pretty bloom that does not seem to splotch up. It did not set pods for me last year, I don't think I had tried it before