i'm actually really surprised it wasn't ID'd either, especially when you consider the competency i've experienced with the people i'd asked in the past (although the near-dozen people at Lowes, Home Depot and Ace weren't expected). i think the problem was my inclination to suggest i thought it was some variant of eupatorium. i think if i would have broken a leaf off and smelled it, i would have figured it out on my own - this is what worked for the two anise hyssop that came up on my side yard unexpectedly, and the tomatoes too. why wouldn't one of the MGs do the same, i wonder? either way, i really appreciate the ID. it's beautiful. if it wasn't such a profuse seeder, i'd put it in one of my raised beds with (the profuse seeding anise). maybe i'll do it anyway and try to control by pulling the seed heads. :)

I agree with most of the views above. I have a few other kinds of AVs. One has white flowers tinged with purple/blue. I have always thought they are mostly single 5 petaled. They now bloom in semi-double. Yes, this one also has extensive vegetative growth with glossy fat leaves now.

Im a purple lover too! Its my favorite colour! Something new for me is Alternanthera 'Purple Knight'. Has anyone grown this plant before? I ordered these seeds from Dominion Seed House in Ontario and sowed them yesterday. Since its considered an annual here in Canada, I think they would look nice in large containers like a whiskey barrel and perhaps a Carmencita Red-Bronze Castor Bean in the middle. Oh yes, we need some color, Purple Tidal Waves would look good with this plant too. Im also going to leave a plant indoors to use as indoor plant all year around. (see photo below) Alternanthera dentata ÂPurple Knight This is a beautiful foliage plant that thrives in full sun, but will also grow in shade. ÂPurple Knight is a fast growing plant with deep purple to green foliage. In full sun, the stems of ÂPurple Knight spread out wide. In the shade, plants tend to grow more upright and tall. Plants retained better purple color and a more attractive growth habit in full sun. Plants grew up to 3-feet tall and 3-feet across in the shade, and up to 2-feet in full sun. Also excellent in containers. (Annual- full sun) Im sure all of you addicted gardeners out there have seen this in the catalogues this year, its called, Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty' (Ornamental Millet) which I will start later on in the season. Should be a show stopper! I also ordered 2 Sambucus 'Black Beauty' shrubs from Dominion Seed House. Beautiful display of deep rich purple dissected foliage, enhanced in June by loads of lemon scented rich pink flowers, follwed by edible purplish black berries. Very easy to grow, it tolerates hard pruning. A "must" for every garden. Birds will love it too! Zone 3. http://www.koiwascotland.plus.com/garden/sambucus.jpg Happy Gardening everyone! I can't wait till Spring! Rose Here is a link that might be useful:

Let's see if I have a picture for you. I got Rocket's Red Glare recently. It has those red legs. In fact the hosta Red Sox is another one with the red legs being its most outstanding feature. And I have Purple Boots, Beet Salad, and then Stephen King, Jaws, and a few more, my mind just slipped away from me here! I'm like you, Paws4Pets, I have a fondness for the colored petioles.