wonbyherwits, Glad you mentioned Dusty Miller. That would be a great plant. A few weeks ago, I was so lucky to find and so bought some seeds for the lacier variety, 'Silverdust'. No one sells that variety here. That was the kind Mother grew in California. Love it! Haven't got around to sowing them. I have been waiting on the $$ to get the potting soil. I have 8 dozen eggs to sell now. So, I can buy a big bag of soil and finally get all my seeds sown, including the white Zinnias. I think everything will do better in this drought and heat to start them in pots first and then set out when ready. Maybe too, by then, the weather will improve. (well, a girl can dream...) I want some evergreen shrubs and smallish conifers or junipers of some kind in or around the white garden. I have a very tall Holy tree in there just to the side of the white statue. It needs trimming and fed something to help it bush out and thicken the foliage. the Black Japanese Pine provides high-shade over part of the garden. I want foundation of green plants & winter interest. A green backdrop makes a garden so much prettier. It punctuates your flowers and plantings. Those of you who live in forested areas with pines and firs and such, have it for your gardens naturally. So envious. (I wish we could move to NC) The big variegated Maiden Grass at the back really gives it a nice effect. Has that soft yellow with soft green colors. So maybe another shorter grass or two here and there of three different heights. I need to look for images of gardens for ideas on where to place them for that elegant look. Kay, don't you worry sweet cheeks. I don't want to die, so am taking every precaution. The thing about being out in the heat ALL the time, is that you get acclimated to it and it doesn't bother you like it does if you seldom if ever go out, other than to pop into your air conditioned car, and then when summer's heat hits, try to play or work out in it. Those are the people I would guess who are vulnerable. Old folks are too, as they cannot tell when they get too hot for some reason. When my maternal grandmother was a young woman and there was no AC, no sunscreen, no Gatorade ;), and all our other modern things we think we cannot live without, they wore long sleeved blouses and long skirts to protect themselves from the sun. Under that, they had on an under skirt w/ camisole top (called a 'day dress'), (and a corset when they went to town), long stockings, bloomers, 1 or more petticoats, and an apron or pinafore, and worked in all those clothes in the hot sun with uncomfortable, laced-up shoes. (I have my paternal Great-grandmother's Sunday shoes - they are torturous things!!). Jeez! Of course, in summer, they wore lightweight white clothing, and around home, they took off a bunch of those layers, often just wearing their day dresses, bloomers and an apron while working. No AC to cool off with back then, and yet they lived without it just fine. Ice was worth it's weight in gold! Our fore-bearers were TOUGH! I'm telling you! Anyway, Thank you for caring, Hun. ~Annie

My guess would be Desert Gold: http://www.davewilson.com/product-information/product/desert-gold-peach I had one, but it was multigrafted with Flordprince, which tastes SO MUCH better than Desert Gold that I let the Desert Gold fade away. I would recommend you try adding either Flordaprince or Flordaking (also quite yummy ) Note; The name is actually Florda****, not Flor-i-da****, there's no "i" in the patent names. Carla in Sac

Thank you Mike, Jinny, and John! Lol. You guys crack me up! Jinny, yes, I agree and many have commented on that. She is like me in personality as well...we are great friends (until I threaten to go through her messy room with a bag for Goodwill ;-). Mike, you are so sweet! Some girl is going to be very lucky when you shower your good will on her (not to mention all your citrus ;-). She will need to be a good cook to whip up dishes with all the fruits of your labor! John...what can I say ;-)?? I hope someday I get to meet you guys in person! We would have fun! And think of the food ..,,;-)

We're widely traveled in Europe and lived there for a number of years. Without a doubt, the consistently NICEST people we've encountered have been the French. I've heard other travelers' stories (including from many Brits) to the contrary. I attribute my always happy and pleasant experiences, including daily life conducted in French, to the fact that when I'm in practice, I speak French pretty well. I've done business meetings in French, have made presentations and ran employee meetings in French, and have had many political and philosophical discussions in social settings in French. I'm comfortable and always understood. Locals in any country appreciate the efforts any foreigner has made to learn their language enough to be competent and respond accordingly. This one experience, which was in Paris, is the only time I've encountered anything like that and it was cute and also gentle. I've always thought of Paris as France's New York. People are harried, harassed, stressed, and that sometimes affects their moods, but almost always good natured and friendly. This guy was having a bad day. We've been all over the country and elsewhere, most people are less stressed. Just like in the US, outside of crowded city centers.