Dave, Glad they grew for you, hope you get something nice. I know the parent plants were leafing out when I left, so I am sure they have bloomed by now, and I had the James Mason growing on the fence right behind then...that one was wonderful last year, so I am sure it will be even better this year. Anita, I will have to try to find the post and see if I can make it, if I can you know I will. Mike, now yours is a most interesting post...I lived in Akron for 7 years before moving to PA, and before that I spent 18 years in North Ridgeville, and that is where I am back to now. I am off Stoney Ridge, in the Meadow Lakes developments, I remember this whole area as fields! I am staying with my sister now, but will be getting a place eventually, just need to wrap up some things. Send me an E-mail, let me know where you lived, and even better yet, if we might know each other. By the time frame, I am thinking you might be a bit younger, but maybe not. Gerry

Sorry to hijack your thread, pretty ize, but I thought I would jump in here since I have a bit of a dilemma regarding winter protection also. I was waiting till we had 5 straight days of below freezing temps in the day (someone on this forum, can't remember who, said that was a good guideline), and all of a sudden, we got a pile of snow and freezing rain, and the temps fell to 12 degrees F overnight. So now what? I went out and shovelled all the snow that wasn't under a frozen crust on top of the HT's and Austins for protection. Now of course, it has warmed up to mid 30's and they're calling for 40 tomorrow with rain. Oh yes, and all of the leaves are just hanging there, none had a chance to fall off. If only we could have a text-book fall, with slowly falling temps, everything gently sliding into a dormant state, ground gradually freezing, and time to mound before the heavy, wet stuff.....sigh. Does anyone have any advice for my situation? Thanks. Judith

I went to Philadelphia this year - it blew Boston's show away. And I liked that the vendors all were at least related to flowers and/or gardening - no fridge's and washing machines on display like Boston has had the past few years. I know someone who's a vender who dropped out of the NE Flower Show about 5 years ago. They say it was financial shenanigans that killed the show. Mass Hort. made it very hard for vendors, it was very expensive for them and it just wasn't worth it any longer. They go to the Philly show every year and even with hiring a truck to transport everything, staying in hotels for almost 2 weeks considering the time it takes to set up, then break down a display, it was a better deal than NE ever was for them. I've been going for years and the past few years it's been pathetic. I still always went just for that fix in March when you just can't stand it anymore and need to smell the dirt and the mulch, but the displays were no better than what you'd see at your local garden centers. The same old tired plants used over and over and over again. I would like to see it return, but it needs some new blood in there to make it interesting again and get some focus on the plant variety. They jumped the shark the year they had the Disney displays. If I want to look at carnations dyed fake colors I can get them at the local florist. I want some HORTICULTURE from Mass. Horticulture!! Lisa

I will be sending out all the prizes today, so everyone start looking for them in a couple days. Please post here when you have received your prize so I know everyone has received theirs. Winners of the games. Sign up game - Mary Fill in the Blanks - Nicole Sent and received. Dog/Cat - Mary Pet Bingo - Promise Big Wind - Erica 2nd Fill in the Blanks - Nikki Shirley, I'm so happy you were given the ok to walk on your foot. I know some days will be very trying for you, but here is some advice I was given ... Take it one day or one hour or one minute at a time. Keep breathing. If you can, journal about your struggle. Once in a while look back at your journal, sometimes that is the only way to see your true progress. Truly, this advice has worked for me. Beautiful pictures everyone. My garden is in full bloom and I'm loving it! Margo, a wedding in 2 months ... how wonderful! Nikki, keep looking, you will find it. We had a wonderful 4th of July Week. We were at the cottage with friends and family. It was a very FULL week. We had a Birthday, Graduation, and a an Engagement to celebrate and of course the 4th! Our daughter made it in from Boston for a couple of days ... that was the best part! Been missing all of you these last couple of days ... seems so funny after a month of being here everyday. sharon