Distylium 'Blue Cascade' is just hardy to zone 7a and mine did die back by maybe 1/4 during the cold vortex winters. It usually comes back quickly though if it's established. It is likely one of the hardier of the hybrids that I've tested. Hardier certainly than myricoides which died completely. My Blue Cascade is now about four feet high and 6 feet wide. More vigorous than Blue hollies I would say. This pic is over a year old. Rake for scale. Oh, and you can thank 'Dr. Dirr' rather than 'Mother Nature' for Blue Cascade. LOL!

Oklahoma is plagued by many pests. For instance I have lost almost all of my roses over the years due to the Rose Rosette virus. Lost another one last year as a matter of fact. Now here comes my AH HA! moment as related to the topic at hand. I read further yesterday about the mite that carries the virus of the Echinacea (as opposed to the Aster Yellows virus which is carried by leafhoppers not mites). I found it was the same Eriophyid mite which carries the RRV (rose rosette virus) that has decimated my roses. This Echinacea will immediately go into a trash bag for disposal. Now that it has the virus any uninfected mites that follow will pick it up and spread the virus even further around the neighborhood. I'm sorry to loose the Echinacea, but as a sad side note, for me it was interesting to find out this new bit of information.......Thanks for everyone's comment. It's a shame Debra, because it's such a good combination for those that can grow it....................Maryl

I totally agree with Rosefolly, you are surrounded with beauty. That is a record 12 in a row, wow! Good to know there are fishes there. I was wondering and kinda curious. It is fun to catch and release esp using fly fishing...lol. I try doing that I got myself all tangle up or getting snag in trees behind me. I don't do fishing much but Jeff does the same thing as a sport. And my husband remind me that I hook myself..lol okay, that only happens once. jin

have seen some clumps like that on side of country roads in North FLA after heavy rains. These bulbs used to be in pots and I got tired of messing with them and put them in small area and covered them with mulch and pretty much forgot that they are there... except when it rains heavy as we just had..... and when I exit my driveway the image smacks you in the face and screams.... here we are!!! lol