Thanks everyone for the kind words. Nell, I'll be sure to tell my husband that you liked the photos. He's my official photographer. (He just bought a Cannon SLR and it does make a difference). gldno1, This is my first year planting cuphea, so I don't know if it will reseed. I planted Euryops 2 years ago for the first time, couldn't find it last year and was pleased to find it again this year. It's my favorite yellow daisy because it doesn't need any babying. When I planted Maguerites last year, they wilted in the humidity of August. I am going to try to collect seeds this year. Achileasheel, I am fast becoming a Coleus addict. After those photos were taken I planted 2 more! Flowerlady, my "rich soil" is due to way too much digging and mixing on my part. I have yellow clay so I wound up mixing a 1/3 clay, 1/3 sand, 1/3 composted manure combo in my wheelbarrow and then planting my perennials. I am lasagnaing my next garden because this method is way too much work (although I've built up my arm muscles!) Cameron, you are so right on the difference a zone makes. I have a friend in Canada and her peonies just started to open. Mine have been over since the tenth (I know the date because my younger son turned 15 that day.) I am amazed that your phlox is already blooming - I have three weeks to go! (it probably doesn't help that every year in the beginning of the season I get a free pruning courtesy of the deer). Blondiesc, my next garden I am going to do more geraniums. They are a wonderful plant. My Johnson's Blue has been there since 2001 with no division and comes up like gangbusters every year. Annie, I always buy my heliotrope started in cell packs. I am a lazy girl. I plant them in amended clay - I dig out the clay, add in one big handful of good quality top soil (I only use Fafard brand), 1 handful of composted manure, mix that up with the clay and then plant in that. Full sun for heliotrope and it likes water (although not wet roots). We've been getting close to 2 inches a week of rain for the past three weeks and the plant has never been happier. I am not so generous when they depend on me for watering. proudgm and trailrunner, glad you enjoyed. And for those of you who liked my rambling captions, that's partly because I had a large and diverse group of friends over at livejournal where I keep my blog. Quite a few of them are newbie gardeners, so the captions helps answer their questions. Robin the A2Z girl

They are all very lovely, love the "fat" look and ruffles of Hog Haven, and White Mountain is a very pretty white. Karen

Thank you all for your kind responses. You have no idea the panic I experienced when I realized my error. Phew!! For bill ri: Yes, those are 2 different types of sedum- kamtschaticum and spurium 'fuldaglut'. I am not familiar with hardy camellias, but will look into them as I am always looking for something new-especially late season beauties. Thanks for the heads up. For Dee: Here are close ups of the daylilies you asked about 'Strutters Ball' 'Druids Chant' Liz

Charles Darwin is larger than it says on HMF, and has the octopus arms some Austin roses are famed for. It is mostly thornless. It is only that color in the cool and damp weather of spring and fall. As it get warmer and drier, it becomes more apricot, and in the dry heat of 90-100 degree weather it is mostly pink. I haven't had much trouble with disease, but I do give an occasional sulpher or copper soap bath. (On the other hand, that doesn't stop some other roses from blackspotting all the time.)