Sorry, I didn't see that this thread had grown! I was indeed speaking of Sunset's zones when I said that I'm in zone 5. I apologize for causing confusion. I didn't make that number up lol, it is what my Sunset Western Garden Book states for my location. The problem, as I see it, is not the hardiness issue but the ripening/lack of heat issue. The climate here is wonderful for me, but not so agreeable for most fruits (I believe). Yes, the climate here is vastly different from that in Eureka or Brookings or Gold Beach or even Coos Bay, which is the nearest city to Bandon that is on the coast. If I drive 25 miles north on 101, I am in Coos Bay, where during the summer it is commonly 5-10 degrees warmer, or more, than at my house in Bandon. Just to erase any doubt, here is a chart that I found, but please keep in mind that Bandon has many microclimates and that I am in one of the very coolest (during summer)- 67 isn't an average high at my specific location during July, but rather an unusually high temperature http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?orband I remembered that my next door neighbor has a purple leafed plum tree which makes thousands of small but intensely flavored and sweet plums around July or August. Maybe I can get some rootstock and use some cuttings from that tree.

Blue Mist has inconsistent fall color from what I hear. I you can live with green foilage the straight species is best. Fothergilla gardenii would be my choice. Needs nice moist soil to perform. They don't do to well in my sandy soil of ph 7.4.

I have this one flourishing on the north side of one of the outbuildings. The yellow flowers and powdery blue fruits are most attractive! For winter I throw a few spruce bows over top and the snows keep it protected during the harshest of the Â40 temperatures. Definitely a top rated shrub, though demanding of specific conditions. IÂve given numerous offshoots to many people who have admired this beautiful evergreen. Mark

I am new to the GW and new to gardening. I have nothing to trade but would like to SASBE for seeds. I am interested in many on your list The Yucca white seed, Passion Vine, Trumpet Daffodil, Alpine Rosy Bells pink, Dutch Iris, Alyssum,Cosmos, Gysophila pink seed, and the Clarks Heavenly Blue Morning glory. I never had time to garden but now I have time and the gardening bug bad. Thank You sweetalysiss