What used to be called Aster laevis - now called Symphyotrichum laeve - 'Bluebird' is a beautiful light to medium blue, coming into bloom just now in my yard where the SAC (which I actually tried to get rid of last year, but the seedlings are everywhere and I figured I would let them bloom - but not seed!!!!!! - before yanking) is about a week into its bloom period. 'Bluebird' is about 4 to 4 1/2' tall, with very highly branched panicles and smallish (1/2 to 3/4" diameter +/-) flowers, so you get a big cloud of flowers. The aster 'Jindai' mentioned above (also one of my favorite plants, also just now coming into bloom into my garden) is less highly branched, tends to have lots of small flowering side branches from a mainly upright panicle and the individual flowers are larger, 1 to 1 1/4" in diameter. Totally different effects from the two asters, one very blousy, delicate and spreading while the other is very vertical and has much bolder textures ('Jindai' also has very large basal leaves), both beautiful. - Steve

This was my first swap ever. I dragged along my next door neighbor, Donna with me & we had a blast!! Thanks to all the friendly people. The trades were great I came home with brugs, gardenias, chocolate mint, a desert rose, a water umbrella plant (which I was told could also be grown in soil - yea cause I don't have a pond & it is the neatest thing.) I also got a new coleus, some iris bulbs, pots & a huge Peace Lilly plant. I know there is more but I can't remember right now. THE BEST THING THAT I CAME HOME WITH IS NEW GARDEN FRIENDS. Looking forward to the Spring Swap. I'm sorry I couldn't print out the info on my swaps. I can send you a couple pictures of what I traded. Silver Pink Hoya Publicalyx [IMG]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/debbiedo7/My%20Flowers/SilverPinkHoyaPublicalyx1.jpg[/IMG] Burros Tail [IMG]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/debbiedo7/My%20Flowers/BurrosTail.jpg[/IMG] Easter Egg plant tree [IMG]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/debbiedo7/My%20Flowers/EasterEggtree-SolanumOvigerum.jpg[/IMG] Debbie

I have sweet autumn clematis, but I'm in DFW. I got mine bare root from same place, and it did fine. Matter of fact this is one of those plants that you really have to work at to kill. Almost invasive. I'm toying with removing mine and replacing it with a coral honeysuckle. SAC is ok, it's very pretty when it blooms, but the blooms don't last very long. Doesn't attract butterflies or hummers, doesn't have a fragrance that I can tell - it's just kinda boring, but that's just my opinion.

Abarbie4me2, I put the Herniaria Glabra seeds and the black & blue salvia in a box for you! I've been pleasantly surprised by my little baby HGs this summer. I started them with the plan of planting them between stepping stones, I just never got around to getting the stepping stones in place, so mine have just stayed in containers all summer. I failed to water them for 3 weeks in August, but they survived and perked right back up after I gave them a little drink! The only thing they don't seem to like is full afternoon sun. Oh, and the packet has 200 seeds, not 50. Bonus! Sylvia, I too am getting excited. Am about to run out and get you some Folgers Black Silk. Thanks in advance for digging up your cannas! Also, my inner rose addict is curious... Are any of your rose cuttings from the SA swap St. Cecilia by any chance?