Thanks gene_washdc and Carla. We got the original plant 7 or 8 years from a local nursery. I'm sure it said 'Wonderful'. It set one or two fruits the next year and it was a decent size and actually tasted OK. But then this poor plant has been moved many times and never set any fruit any more. Last year she seemed to recover and had more blooms than before but still no fruit. of the 3 children, one bloomed red, one bloomed white and the 3rd one hasn't bloomed. But from the leaves I can tell it is likely a red. The mother and 2 children start with red leaves in the spring, however the white one starts with bright green leaves. I never saw red new growth on it. But eventually all 4 plants turn to green. I don't know whether they will set fruits. Especially the white one. Changsong

I have a whole list of yellow flowers for you, but I've forgotten when many of them bloom. I'm sure most of them will love your sandy soil. They should all be hardy in zone 6. Some of these are specific plant species, while others are specific cultivars. They all bloom yellow though and I plan to acquire them sometime in the future if I don't already have them! -Verbascum nigrum -Gentiana lutea -Lysimachia punctata -Solidago (goldenrod; most species and cultivars yellow) -Berlandiera lyrata (smells like chocolate!) -Echinacea paradoxa (there are also many cultivars, like 'sombrero yellow' for instance) -Aurinia saxatilis -Achillea (yarrow; most species and cultivars) -Coreopsis (most species and cultivars) -Kirengeshoma palmata (needs lots of shade) -Hollyhock "Chater's Double yellow" (technically a biennial but reseeds like a perennial) -Helianthus multiflorus 'Flore pleno' -Heliopsis helianthoides -Frittilaria imperialis 'Lutea' (also available in orange) -Ligularia (most species and cultivars; needs lots of shade) -Penstemon pinnifolius 'Mersea Yellow' -Thalictrum Flavum 'Glaucum' -Daylily 'Stella D'Oro' (I'm sure there are other yellow cultivars but can't think of them at the moment) I'm sure there are many more that I'm forgetting but this is what I can think of at the moment. I actually didn't mind researching this for you. I was meaning to compile a list of yellow perennials for myself anyways. Hope this helped you out. P.S.-How is your aglaia odorata doing (you grow this, correct?)?? I got one last year but it has unfortunately died (left it outside for ONE night below freezing by mistake, and that was all it took...).

What flowers can I plant in fairly deep shade right now for spring/summer flowers? I need to pretty up my place because it's going on the market. I'd prefer things with a tropical feel if possible since they are going around the pool. In this area, I also need some large bushes or plants. I have a huge plantar to fill in shade around the pool. The soil there is heavy clay with only a little improvement and is irrigated. I have some established plantings plus some salvias. I may just go with more salvias, if I can find a place that sells 8 packs or flats. I have a blue rose, some blue and red salvias, a wild-type hibiscus and some bulbs. I'm not even sure what kind of bulbs as I planted them a couple of years ago. I know I have some small white lilies ( Lily of the valley?), some canna and another very large bulb plant which has big,yellow flowers and spreads like crazy. Also, some iris. I have a huge hyacinth bean growing all the way up an old, large Mexican palm. The area is skirted by giant pine trees, African sumacs and a few palms. ( I know, weird combination, planted before I moved here, probably in the 80's sometime. I also have a planter in the sunny, non-irrigated front yard that needs some small bushes or something. The planter is narrow and alongside the driveway so nothing big like oleanders. I was thinking lavenders, hibiscus or some sort of desert bush like autumn sage. Front yard has a bunch of huge palm trees, some new, small hibiscus, a lavender and large rosemary. Also, an artichoke. Btw, house is 3,000 square feet, with five bedrooms, three baths, newly remodeled and has 1/2 acre, irrigated. Huge, huge pine trees and a sunny area with four 16x8 organic veggie gardens. Also has a large diving pool. It's at the end of a cul de sac on a quiet street in an older neighborhood of Mesa.

Shelley, I have been giving your question some thought and poked around the web a bit but I have come up blank. The only far stretch thought I have is perhaps the lack of color on one plant is due to root disturbance from voles? Or maybe as this perennial is getting somewhat older this is just one of those first signs of old age, sort of like all of the wrinkles that have been showing up on my face. I am curious what others might think. kt