Could you use Luna Blush Hardy Hibiscus seeds?...I have tons..for your Kim's Knee High and Echan. Dbl. Decker. Have this year..Blue Mirror Larkspur, Helopsis, Cosmos-smaller in pinks, Too early for most of my seeds this year but have a problem with my 3 yr. old Echan. Purpura...maybe you could help...they seem to brown their petals which curl and don't form well...looking quite sick. They may be too sandwiched in as my space is limited and tomato plants are taking over. The White Swan Echan. next to it seem to be ok..it's just the Purpura. ANY ADVICE would be appreicated and thanks. I'm limited on space and would like to plant miniatures like Kim's Knee High. Ginny B.

My goodness, it was very interesting to look back and see what's here and what's now gone. Yesterday I dug out the overgrown spiderworts and replaced them with echinaceas. I always have loads of echinaceas reseeding so they're a big fill in when I'm ripping out. The bed with the yuccas is full of some weeds--it must get a major redo this fall. For the most part it all looks the same except things have filled in and gotten bigger. I probably have two dozen crepe myrtles here, all grown from seed I traded for on the forums. I took seeds from all around the country and mixed them together. The seeds were WS (probably in late January) and they germinated well in mid spring. The seedlings were kept in a holding be their first year--I was surprise to see some lavender blooms. The second year they were transferred to a back fence border where they were another year, after that I started moving them about the garden. I now have two crepe myrtle hedges and some extras still in the back fence border. Crepe Myrtles have a varied hardiness, usually to zone seven but some species can do zone six quite well. If you want to increase your crepe myrtles then trade for seeds from around the country and WS them all together. After a couple of years you will know which of them are hardy for your garden. It's three years time between sowing and seeing a blooming and prunable hedge from your crepe myrtle seeds--for me it was a grand experiment to see if I could succesfully germinate them with WS here in zone seven; I am absolutely delighted with my crepes. They're just about to start blooming too so that's really nice to see. T Here is a link that might be useful: Crepe Myrtle Seeds (nice hardiness data)

I'm still having trouble making a decision. I'm strongly considering DEVONIENSIS but worried about the color. In some pics it looks creamy (i.e. yellow) white. I need a pink toned white; the cooler the pink tones the better. CLIMBING CLOTILDE SOUPERT would work in that spot (I've grown her before and she is one of my favorites for repeat bloom, fragrance, beauty-of-flower, and disease resistance), but I'd like something with slightly larger flowers. I also don't know how mum will react to the balling. Not a problem for me but it might be for her. CLIMBING SOUVENIR DE LA MALMAISON is tempting but I'm worried about the repeat bloom. I've read some bad reports on that front. What about CLIMBING WHITE MAMON COCHET? It is definately a cool pink toned white and the fragrant nodding flowers would be a plus in a climber. Is the repeat bloom reliable? How good is the vigor (i.e. will mom have to to wait 5 years for it to mature; I don't even know if she is going to live that long)? And is CWMC resistant to black spot?

Want to expand your z5 semitropical and "tropical" options? Indiana Rick's website is inspirational! So many usefulul ideas there. I agree don't give up until you've tried it 3x and tested some tricks! Hardy Tropicals for Zone 5 !!!!! http://www.manchestergardenclub.com/rick/Tropicals/Tropicals.htm ________ Mulched here now in my more "gentle" z8b, until I have a backup clump stored to go "cold turkey". No the impressive Canna 'Durban" = 'Tropicanna' doesn't throw lower red spires! That's a compact Lobelia 'Starship Red' which has nice contrasting rich green leaves. This Cardinal Flower was easy to grow from seed* (as are Canna) and gets the hummingbirds darting all around to enhance the tropical theme. I like L. 'Vulcan Red' as well to for contrast. Dark maroon leaved and also more compact than L. 'Queen Victoria' with no staking needed. * After using many over the years, the best seed starting method that I've used over the years is a biodome and sponge block system or similar. Works best with heatmats and bright plant light. Effective, efficient, durable, flexible, and small footprint. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4412727/looking-for-a-reliable-seed-starting-system