jekeesl, you will not hear me complain about your "lengthy non-answer"! The responses from you and saltcedar are exactly what I was looking for when I posted here: a healthy discussion about what this plant might be. So thank you to you both. I did do some more investigating, reading, and thinking. Here's my train of thought thus far. Of the 4 Spiranthes that you mentioned, which should be blooming now and are found in MS, only S. vernalis has previously been reported in Noxubee County. [ http://arcmapper.sc.egov.usda.gov/output/Counties_hyborea1v2068285225436.jpg ] I think that S. lucida is out because of its rarity, and it's leaves and height are wrong for this specimen. S. praecox is a closer fit in appearane, but it's rarity in the state tends to preclude it more than S. vernalis. I think that S. tuberosa is just too short for this specimen. I did read about the inflorescences of S. vernalis being quite variable, ranging from secund to loosely and even densely coiled, and flower shapes vary as well. [ http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101968 ] All this leads me to believe that it probably is S. vernalis, but I will have to go back and double check carefully (with a magnifying glass) to be sure! thanks again, Katie

Your milli is lovely! It makes a statement. Look at this "bush" that is mine. The backstory is . . . hubby ripped out about 15 crown of thorn plants that were the borders of 2 different areas. They had not been trimmed in ages and really were bad looking. And he didn't like the thorns. Well, this one came back and I convinced him to leave it alone. After finally having a healthy plant, I also convinced hubby to quit trimming it like a hedge. Now my mission is to "sculpt" this into a prettier plant that can be a statement, like yours. I should have done this a while ago, but better late than never. I really like yours!

I love yellow, white and blue all together as well. I have a yellow rose, a shasta daisy, Moonbean and larkspur. Last year I had the yellows and nastrushams. Talk about a riot of color!!! There's soooo many new annuals out there, so taking a stroll through a good nursery will surely catch your eye and give you something really fun. Some of the new snapdragons are wonderful. The newer zinnias. Wow! Add some lobelia and you would have a great display.

I thought of you. Finally got time to read the garden section of today's Dallas Morning News. They have two. Both are said to be avilable at HD and Lowes. I have not heard of either. They are new. You can find the article online. Title "New Arrivals..." sometimes they change the title from the actual paper. Emeral Snow Loropetalum. Green leaves(yes green!) with white flowers. Big bloom in spring. Sporadic bloom through summer and fall. 3 ft tall 4 ft wide. For sun or shade Jubilation gardenia. Compact reblooming, same blooming habit as above. Garden Glow dogwood. A deciduous shrub. 2-3 ft tall. White flower clusters followed by pale blue berries in summer. Bright red twigs in winter. (looks nothing like a dogwood!)