Just an update on my first venture with the gritty mix. The Japanese maples are going on day three of their new life in containers. So far, no leaves have dropped and I'm seeing no signs of distress, although I feel sure that some signs are not so obvious. So I'm not ready to call out the rescue squad ... yet. A poster who provided a great running commentary, together with pics, about his root pruning and repotting said that Jms were among the easiest of plants to root prune. If that's the case, I've erred badly. Each of mine had at least three large roots (3/8" - 1/2" in diameter) together with a huge mass of small, tough, wiry roots. Are these feeder roots? (I had the idea that feeder roots were supple.) So I removed the large roots with a pruning saw and used a small garden hand rake (?) to remove every bit of the previous mix. In the process, some of these small wiry roots came off. I also removed all roots that had "hooked around" and were growing upwards, as well as roots growing directly beneath the root mass. When placing them in their containers (6-7 gallon), I kept the mix at the same level they had originally been in. (It's said that this is critical when planting in-ground. Is it critical for container planted trees also?) My biggest obstacle is keeping the trees solidly upright in the containers. One in particular, 'Shaina', is about 3 1/2' tall and in dire need of pruning (read top-heavy). I bought the trees last fall and kept them in their original containers. In removing the large roots, it now seems wobbly; I've placed four bamboo poles around it and will affix them to the trunk with string. I don't dare move it! In time, as feeder roots develop, will they help stabllize the tree in the mix or should I expect to continue with the bamboo supports. (For sure, any additional Jms I purchase will be much smaller!) Sorry to be running on and on. I have more questions and need suggestions. If I should start a new thread, please let me know. Thanks. gary Grace: Loved your pics and commentary! They're beautiful!! I feel so dumb; I don't know how to pronounce many of them. Perhaps you'll give me some (lots) of pointers with houseplants when I get there! BTW, do you root prune these plants?

I think I need to have Persicaria 'Red Dragon', yes, I must. Anything else from my trade list? Do you need more purple palace huchera?

Judy, I know I have a doublefile and probably have a hydrangea but will have to check in the morning. I can't resist daylilies, but I'm not interested in the euphorbia or saxifrage right now. I'm not going to have time to get very much in the ground before the snow hits up here so I'll have to wait until spring for most plants. I'll mark the doublefile and hydrangea, if I still have one, for you.

Today was my first "real" daylily bloom from Little Rosy cloud. I only saw scapes on it last week, funny how it usually isn't the ones that scape first that bloom. This is the very earliest I have ever seen this one bloom, I think last year it was May 25. I'm sad to see the last photo of Fernstone, will it not rebloom? Marseilles Watercolor & Purple Mask are really pretty, I like the patterned ones like that. And Indigo Edge is so crisp looking. I had to look really hard to see what was holding New Dawn up, that is one impressive rose.