I also admire the eremurus. I wonder if they would grow here in California, or if they prefer cooler climates? I am looking for a few more spiky plants to contrast all the mounding plants in the garden. I have some white foxgloves for spring but would like to find some other spiky ones for summer and for fall. Hollyhocks rust badly here so they won't do. I've tried several varieties. Delphiniums die out fast for me, even the Dowdeswell kind. They are less than annual here. I actually planted two dwarf columnar junipers for exactly that purpose, 'Pencil Point'. Not only will they give me a couple of nice exclamation points in a few years, but they also introduce a good dark green. One of the things I learned from visiting the White Garden at Loseley Park was just how important good greens are. I think I knew that before, but I know it better now. I enjoyed all four of the guided tours of Mottisfont, learning a lot from each and every one. Joan Taylor's tour in particular taught me a lot about their design considerations. I do wish I had it on repeat so I could go back over it again and absorb more! Folly

I've noticed some people saying that they've had some problems growing coneflowers in their yards, so I thought I'd let you know what I've learned about them, mostly by trial and error. They're growing great in my yard now, and I'm enjoying them all...lol! First and foremost, the seeds need at least a month or two of being outside in the cold before they'll sprout. And when I say cold, I mean below freezing, not just in the 40s -60s. If your area doesn't get that cold for that long, simulate it and throw the seeds into your freezer for a month or so before you plant them. When you do plant the seeds, do so by scattering them on top of the soil and then pressing them into it. They don't need to be buried. After pressing them into the soil, lightly cover them with grass clippings or straw so the birds don't eat them. Coneflowers love the sun, so plant them where they'll get full sun. If you don't have a full sun area for them, plant them in the sunniest spot available and hope for the best. Some types of coneflowers get off to a slower start than others, depending on variety. In the spring, scatter some cosmos seeds where you planted the coneflowers. Both species love the sun and require the same amount of watering, which in my mind makes them excellent companions. Aslo, cosmos and coneflowers flowering together looks great! If you've got other questions about growing coneflowers, let me know. I've been growing mine with great success for the last 4 years or so, after having a few forehead-slapping moments because of the mistakes I made. I'll be glad to help you avert doing them too.

Many years ago, we grew a rose called 'Etoile de Lyon'. I don't remember for sure where we got it, but I would have thought Joyce and Virginia. It was a pure, true yellow, definitely not the same as 'Bermuda's Anna Olivier'; but of course it may not have been a "real" EdL. Bermuda's Anna does seem to be the same as what is now generally known as EdL. I wish I knew what our old one was, and I wish I still had it -- it was an unusually nice, very large-flowered pure yellow Tea. As I recall, it did ball badly in some weather.

How exciting for you all and I do wish I could be there, although in my case it wouldn't be only for the meetings, but as an occasional student of the Civil War, Fredericksburg was a major battle and the 154th anniversary of it comes up in just a few days time incidentally. Now you may not necessarily be interested in any of this, but a main segment of this battle took place on the ridges just west of town called 'Marye's Heights'.. where Confederates were dug in, especially behind a low wall where there is a sunken road. This wall might be visible from the town I think. The Union army made vain attempts at taking it but with tragic results - so many were slaughtered in the attempt that it was regarded as sheer ''butchery''... A Union defeat, President Lincoln was much blamed and he wrote ''If there is a hell, I am in it''... It was also noted for the bravery of a Confederate sergeant called Richard Kirkland, who left the wall to give water and aid to injured and dying Union men lying on the field a few yards in front.. this story may be embellished somewhat, there are reports of more than one man giving aid, but nonetheless I think there is a statue to this gentleman somewhere in the town... Ironically, just 5 months later they were all at it again at the same place, albeit a lesser battle as the main action then was at nearby Chancellorsville... I would really have to go pay my respects... I would also visit the little town of Falmouth, which is a suburb just across the Rappahannock river. When under British rule this was named after the little town of Falmouth, Cornwall, England - where I was born as a matter of fact... which also sits on a river, so presumably someone in the 1700's thought it reminded them of it.. how quaint.. I think this is where the Belmont House is located that is already on your itinerary, and now houses a fabulous art museum so I read.. Whatever, do have a lovely time.