Hi i was wanting to know if ou had any of your passion or bigonia vines or any of your hibiscus left. i have some stuff on my list that you might like. let me know.

Midge 357: I was looking at your trade list and was interested in a couple of the items you are offering. I would like to trade for some of your Red Crown Imperial seed and your Clematis Elsa Spathe if they are still available? I have a couple of other Clematis that you may or may not be interested in including Henryii and Nelly Moser. I also have Blue Monkshood, Mixed Hellebore, StarGazer Lilly, Stella d'Oro lilly, Red Oleander, and some others. Please contact me if interested. Thankyou. Ross.

Why do growers stress shade for hellebores? Because they are less familiar with the natural growing conditions of hellebores than they'd like to think? Or that hellebores are shade lovers is a myth that is just very difficult to move away from :-) This is a topic that has irked me for ages. Nearly every site you encounter - with the noted exception of our own Joseph Woodard's excellent hellebores.org - will stress the need for siting hellebores in shade, why I am not entirely sure. Hellebores in their natural setting are not focused on shade - most can be found in very open settings along forest verges or in rocky meadows. At most they may receive only a small bit of shade -- in their natural setting, Corsican hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius) grow in full sun in rocky crags and hillsides in Sardinia and Corsica! In most parts of this country, hellebores can grow and perform beautifully in more sun than shade. I'd limit shade placement to those areas that experience hot summers and even then provide as much early day sun as possible. It's been my experience that hellbores thrive in sun with only modest shelter from the hottest part of the day or form the most intense sun. They produce erect, upright plants with a profusion of flowers in these locations. As to locating plants of size to bloom, most garden centers will carry sufficiently large plants that will bloom the first year - they are frequently sold in bloom at these outlets so that the consumer can confirm flower color. If ordering by mail, look for vendors that provide plants larger than 4" sizes. Most of the larger hellebore speciality nurseries - Heronswood, PDN, Pine Knot, Sunshine Farms, etc. - do so. Here is a link that might be useful: link to online vendors

Hi There I had a great time at my first swap last year - thanks to Christine! I am hoping someone may have some of the following : Japanese Anemone (varieties other than Honorine Jobert or Max Vogel) Wood Hyacinth Geranium - perennials (not annual pelargoniums) - any type Dogwoods (babies are fine) Ferns (Maidenhair or Lady would be great) - any other is fine Variegated hosta - any type except those with curled edges Monkshood Epimedium - white or other other unusual varieties (I have sulphureum and rubrum) Trillium Witchhazel Autumn Clematis Veggies - we're going to try a veggie patch this year: Leeks broccoli zucchini cherry tomato plants Lettuce basil parsley thyme spinach cabbage Thanks and look forward to seeing everyone next week. Mary Jane