The poppies did not make it. The phlox did not make it, except I, like you, have hopes yet for one of them to maybe just be dormant. 2 tree peonies....looking good potted up in 2 litre bottles. Not sure where I'm going with those, but know it will be a massive undertaking to plant them 'right', and I sure don't ever want to have to move them!. One of them did not look to be a graft, but is all one long root. Both have the tree peony foliage though. Lost one Heuchera...all the others are looking good in pots. The tricolor butterfly bush turned out to be pink. It has been planted with care quite a while and has been loaded with blooms. One Viburnum is thriving...and another is hanging on but will make it I think. The lilacs are still in their pots. I am especially thrilled about George Eastman. I can't find much on line about it, but saw somewhere that it is a weeping lilac. How cool is that? The NO ID lilac appears to have the same foliage as the Josee I ended up not being able to pass up locally at $6...so I may have 2 of them! One of the lilacs I can't read the name on the pot...might have to hunt up your checklist to verify what it might be. Hydrangea...looking good in its pot. Black Knight butterfly bush blooming it its pot. I'm still wondering just where I'm going with all this stuff. I have a lot of property, but when one has so many shrubs, it sure is a puzzle. I've make the mistake of putting a butterfly bush in a bed, and now I need to move a lot of things out since the butterfly bush exploded this season. I also had a Limelight Hydrangea explode in the same bed. It seems I never plant anything in the right place the first time. Oh...and the blueberry is living in a pot for now too. I think that's about it...That's enough, wouldn't you say. Though I lost a few things, all the other fabulous goodies more than made up for what it cost, even with shipping. Josee lilac sells on line for $20, and George Eastman for $30....so you did real good! I too did not get to all the plants promptly...there was just soooo many, especially considering what all I got at the Louisville swap just about 3 weeks earlier. Thanks again Raee! I appreciate you shopping for me so much. Sue

I've had really good luck finding specific trees at tree farms. Using nurseryguide.com, you can call the wholesaler who will tell you where he has sold X tree retail so you can track it down -- and some will let you come to their farm to buy. Hughes Water Garden in Tualatin is awesome if you have a pond, stream or bog that you want to make a showpiece. Talk about water features! Incredible place to wander around and stare. Portland Nursery, Loen's in Sherwood/Tualatin (a must), 7-Dees, Al's, Garden World off I-5, Evans Farms in south Oregon City. Garden World is huge and very interesting, found some unique spectacular trees there, but their prices have gone up. Garden Corner in Tualatin has the prettiest collection of flowers I've ever seen. Classy place. If you want exotic conifers go to Peace of Mind nursery, make an appointment. Wow! This spring planted a Pinus monticola (finally!) from an Xmas tree farm, gorgeous, and a Quercus frainetto from a tree farm, thank goodness for nurseryguide.com There are a lot of nurseries around here. I look for those that take good care of their plants, repotting them when roots start hitting the sides and watering them thoroughly. Also, I like it when the staff actually knows something about the plants.

Thanks to both of you for the reality check. Good points, and I especially like your perspective, Al..."starting when it is ready." Considering their rough start (very warm December, 8 of the 10 were up in January and got pretty badly frostbitten) I am certain that I should be happy they are all alive and settling in. Anyway, I appreciate you both taking the time to read my rant, and for still being willing to lend your advice. Igwiz

I second Milmont's on Rt 340 south---very clean and fair prices, also. There is also Waynesboro Garden Center on W. Main St. in Waynesboro----very fair prices, ask ANYone ANYthing and they can answer it for you, or will find someone who can, pretty quickly. #1:They're never too busy to help customers. #2They are friendly. #3 They have good mulch---I watch EVERY PU-load I see, like a hawk---prettiest I've seen so far is from Churchville. #4 If you walk in there 5 minutes before closing, they are still just as patient as they were when they first opened that morning! #5They have a great tree selection. #6---They've had nice displays over time----even in the dead of winter..... If they ask who sent you, tell them 'The crazy gardener with the grandson who loves to collect the little stuffed toy birds! (He's bought one of every variety they've had!)