I would offer the suggestion that you start looking for the best varieties in the kinds of orchids you buy. Figure out what grows well in your conditions, and then unless you have unlimited space, buy the best varieties. They all take space, light, and care, but some plants are just more vigorous and floriferous than others, and they are worth an extra few dollars. For example, Phal Baldan's Kaleidoscope 'Golden Treasure' is one great plant. Another great phal that's not expensive is Taisuco Firebird. Both often put up two spikes and bloom for months. Another smaller plant that I absolutely love is Bc. Memoria Bernice Foster, which blooms twice a year for me, and has a faint but pervasive scent in the evening. There are many other great plants like these, which forum members will happily tell you about. My bottom line, after 6-8 years of growing orchids, is that you figure out what you like and can grow well, and buy the best of those varieties. That said, I have a big brassia that takes a lot of space and hasn't bloomed for more than a year. If it doesn't put up some spikes pretty soon, it will be looking for a new home.

Maria - I love that picture, too! All the AV's look like they're floating just above the tables! There's no way I could begin collecting African Violets... there are way too many varieties! I have one, a lavender flowered one, and I am happy with just the one! It has just finished blooming, after having been in flower for the last 6 months, or so... it's the first one I've ever had bloom beyond what it had when it came from the store! I don't want to press my luck and get any more right now! My Plumeria cutting is doing good... it's slowly developing little leaves... but since the days are shorter now and it's getting to be winter, I think it's kind of resting. Once spring rolls around, it should take off and grow like crazy! I am so happy for you, Cindee... you'll be getting a new lease on life, so to speak! Even though I'm not a big fan of golf, it'll be fabulous to hear about your days on the course! I have partial time in a wheelchair to look forward to... most likely, within the next ten years, I'll not be able to get around as well as I do now... my legs, hips and back really give me problems at times. I'm just happy to be able to garden now, and I'm putting in all the time I possibly can, while I can! Of course, there's always the chance that my legs and hips will hold up... We all want to see your amaryllis bed, Soultan! It's gotta look awesome! I can't wait to get a glimpse of it!

Our native Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nutallii ) isn't really planted--too susceptible to Anthracnose. But Eddie's White Wonder is early flowering, according to GPP. Love their "Geek Notes":Originated by British Columbia nurseryman and rosarian Henry Matheson Eddie (1881-1953) in 1945. United States Plant Patent #2413 bestowed in 1964. Awarded an Award of Merit 1972, a First Class Certificate in 1977, and an Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Dr. Gerald Straley ("Trees of Vancouver" 1992) noted that the original crosses were done during the late 1930's and 1940's. "The crosses involved both white and pink Eastern Dogwood (Cornus florida) and our native Western Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii). Most of the seedlings were lost to a flood in 1947 in the Fraser Valley, but one of the best seedlings had been moved to Richmond and this is the one from which all of the 'Eddie's White Wonder' have been propagated.Guess I'll find out more tomorrow when I'll see it in flower...

Yes, Jason is a very nice fellow. I managed to get a very nice three gallon plant of Prairie Peace from him two summers ago. This is a rare treasure for certain, as it is not an easy plant to strike cuttings from. That plant will be going into it's 3rd summer at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens this year as a focal point shrub against the wall of the Superintendent's House. I you click the link for Hybrid Spinnosissima from portlandmysteryrose's original post, you will find a couple of gorgeous images of this rose. Fraser Valley Rose Farm is yet a small nursery, by appointment only, as Jason has full time job. But this is a nursery that those of us in British Columbia should really try to support. We have lost several exceptional small specialty rose nurseries in this Province over the past 20 years and it is really nice to see a new one come along. Cheers, Rick