Hi, Sandy, and congrats! When I saw your post my first thought was, gee, they're early! Heehee! My S. hebecarpa died a couple years ago. I have S. bicapsularis coming up, but it has to get really warm here for them to take off with much growth. I love S. hebecarpa in bloom - it's gorgeous! I had 3 Red Admirals on the butterfly feeder late yesterday afternoon, so am confirming they are plentiful this year! Susan

I'm ok, Susan. The tornadic activity was heading directly toward us, and then miraculously veered off to the east. I was sound asleep, when my husband woke me up about 12:30. Then, the sirens started blaring. Finally got to bed about 2 a.m., but could not go back to sleep. Sure was tired, today. They're talking about more chances of rain, tonight. We're surrounded by creeks, and are notarious for the northern part of town flooding. I am on high ground, but it does make a mess for the town. Part of my butterfly haven is pretty sopping wet, but has not stopped alot of butterfly activity, though. I've seen 2 MC's and 6 RA's, as well as several others. I've moved our potted willows near the nectar feeder, so that the MC's will hopefully notice. They haven't as of yet.

Thanks for the tip, Elisabeth. I need more potting soil, too, so I can check them out. Oh, MissSherry, I've seen those wasps carry off full size caterpillars, too! The sulphur female was back again, but I didn't see if she was ovipositing or not. At the time, she was nectaring on the Nicotiana I picked up recently - white with a pink tint to the base and calyxes of the flowers. I'm kinda worn slick tonight. Kenna was here today and we had a good time. We have a new stray cat, Lady George (cuz she looks identical to my indoor cat, George) that is very friendly and was obviously feeding wee cats somewhere. She decided she wanted us to try to find them, so we hunted high and low, and she finally found them in a basement next door! She was thrilled and now has in mind to ween and tame them. Oh, my..... I did get to pot up some seedlings of Asclepias viridis and Salvia 'Forest Fire'. I think I'm really going to like this Salvia. It is fire engine red with black calyces - sounds stunning! I've got so many seedlings to pot up, and I'm not going to do this any more in the future, so I'm feeling very obligated to pot up as many of my seedlings as possible, and either give them away to a couple friends here, and probably to Sandy if she wants some, too. I am growing the red flowering Tecoma for the first time, and I think it will look very pretty, too. The Flame Acanthus that I didn't think would come up w/o stratification is coming up well. Note to self: Don't believe everything you read! Have lots of Silene regia (might be good for your meadow, if native in MS as well) to pot up. Lots to keep me busy for a good while anyway. Sorry to ramble on.... Susan

If you use the Amdro, be sure to use a small amount so that the ants have time to take it away before your dogs find it. The bait will be quite tasty to pets and other non-target animals. The good thing about these baits is that you don't really have to find the opening of a mound. It's the ants' job to find a food source and they'll travel quite far to do so. As a matter of fact, there is less chance of disturbing the nest if the bait is broadcast a distance away. Be sure to use a fresh container of Amdro....it doesn't stay good very long (just a few months) after opening.