Hi Sharon, I live in NC (zone 7) out temps have been closer to zone 8 the last couple of winters. I wait until after the 1st of January to start because we usually have a warm spell near the end of December. Out average high temps are probably in the 50's - 60's with some days in the 40's and a few in the high 60's to low 70's. I have had great success with winter sowing. If you have seeds that you know need a specific cold period you might want to stratify them in your refrigerator and then sow them closer to spring. I try to plant the more tender things later because I don't want them to sprout and then freeze. I hope this info is helpful. Ginger

For me leaf shape and arrangement of shrub not like that one. Also does it grow in Texas? But I have nothing else to suggest.

I might toss in the gravel after they are planted just to give it a little firmer base and raise the water table a bit. I think i have settled on a 4 plant mix for now on both sides of the driveway. All of these are said to pretty much grow anywhere and dont mind wet feet for weeks at a time or when it dries out. And will display something all 4 seasons in some way. 1. Center Location - Switch Grass (panicum vergatum) 5' tall and 2' wide (3 per side) 2. Next closer row - Henry's Garnet Sweetspire (Itea Verginica) 3' tall and 3' wide (3 per side) 3. Next closer row or mixed with Little Henry #2 - OakLeaf Hydranga - 4' tall 3' wide (2 per side) 4. Around the border on both sides - Carex Evercolor Eversheen (carel oshimensis) - (10 per side) I think with that combo things should look good and work well being no maintainance and will do well in that environment. After the plants get going you can just forget them and they will manage themselves from what i have been told and read.. Correct me if i am wrong please.. Thanks :)

I havent had a problem with my large flowers.........havent grown too many of the other kind because I love the big flowers so much. I need to learn how to post photos from my Iphone; dont know how to hook it up to my computer to post, will have to learn how to do that. I have a photo from last year of 'Monte Casino' on a trellis with Plum Perfect and Pretty Lady Rose roses - just gorgeous!!! I personally dont like the clems vining in the roses, too messy. So I put them on these smaller trellises behind the roses where I can get to them to prune out dead wood but they still can show off their colors with the roses - just personal preference. I also cut them down in spring to the ground [about 6" above] to help build the clem and produce more stems, regardless of what pruning group they are. When they are of sufficient size to suit me, I will start pruning according to their group. I have alot in pots currently - have to get them in the ground hopefully in the next month or so - for no reason other than time has been a problem. I do get my best flowering in spring, but depending on the variety, will get flowers in summer or fall, but spring is by far the best. I have never worried about which group does best - I just buy what I like. I have what I think [tag lost] Violet Charm growing up against a tree on a trellis that has been there for years - it will grow and flower periodically with little care but fertilizing. Had a Mrs. Chomondeley that was enormous - had some foundation work done, the workers killed it before I had a chance to dig it out, plan to replace it this spring. It was up against the house on the west side, full sun [but good soil and I watered] and it was fabulous. Ernest Markham is another goodie. Again, due to time, the poor thing stayed in the one gallon pot I bought it in for a few years - now planted, it is getting larger yearly. I have ordered from Debbie and will do so again - when I get my potted ones planted! I would say just go ahead and buy what you like, try them out, Very rarely have I had wilt - but if it happens, just cut them back almost to the ground and they will rebound. Nicole is a good one too, very tough and HF Young is a gorgeous lilac, one of my favorites. They are a beautiful plant; though they look fragile, they arent. Though I love the large flowered ones......I plan to branch out and try some of the other groups. Hope this helps!