One idea I have for you it to create iris hills in the sunnier spots, they will have more surface area for planting than flat ground. I have lots of sun in my yard; I use iris to create continuity in the beds. Initially I had (and still have to some extent) an iris bed but, as I got more iris, I started planting them in drifts. Now they function more to tie the yard together (front and back) when out of bloom and provide lots of color when blooming.

James thank you very much for your input! I put together my list based on others' photos without knowing how they will do in my climate so your suggestions are very helpful. How far is your patch from me? Do we have similar weather patterns? If so I should really go by your Have list assuming that you still love them enough to keep them right? I was told that orange won't do well where I am. So I had to cross them all off my list. I think red and purple are tough too. Yes I would love to take KW and Intense Rainbow. I don't know how far you are but I am pretty close to Bill, so I can also meet up with you guys. Thanks again!

I don't need it....nothing....don't need anything more.... BUT....today I went to the $ store because I needed several gift bags....and while I was there...I just had to walk around...and bought 3 glass pinch bowls...I was getting along just fine with custard cups...but... AND I got a new dishwasher last week...but that was because my 22 year old trusty Maytag died. I know better then to buy one of the newer Maytags (the ex CEO was a very good friend and next door neighbor and when he made all those trips to China and Japan, I figured it out!).. Anyhow I got a Jenn Aire....I know they are in the business of down draft vent systems....but it's a hotsy totsy model, likely last years but I made the dealer an offer...prepared to up it....and he said OK. Surprise! But its' not "fun" in the way that a new stock pot would be...I still am trying to figure out the best way to load the thing! Also got 2 new YeehaH stoves for the church...I bucked the people who said why do we need to spend that for stoves.....and I splained why!! Because I cook on them and you don't! I think I need new potholders.....mine are beyond awful...and people give me oven mits and I feel clumsy using them, so I save them for the grill. I Have a fairly nice assortment of Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's day potholders...but I need some simple every day ones that don't have burned corners and the stuffing hanging out. Linda C

Likewise!! It was so wonderful actually meeting everyone and thank you SO very much for your generosity! Gardengramma, thank you especially for hosting, and providing such a gloriously beautiful place for us to meet. (You did am amazing job dialing up the weather as well). Since I got there without my leucojeum or redhot poker I'd be open to making one-off arrangements. I had to get the leucojeum right back into the ground but I can dig some more. Some people also mentioned a possible fall meeting? Which of course would be better for leucojeum, peonies, other fall-dormant plants... One other note - I thought I'd be able to tell people this as we traded but it was a little too chaotic -- in our area we have a serious problem with Japanese stilt grass, very invasive in the woods near us. I don't know if it's widespread but I don't want to be responsible for spreading it. I'm pretty sure I did not include any ride-alongs in my trades, BUT, stilt-grass makes a lot of seed. It's incredibly easy to pull up and easy to kill, but if it goes to seed, it makes an awful lot. Don't let anything grassy come up in your transplants...