I posted a pic of the Compton's with the bark ripped down on the post that mentions the tear, Dax. I have 3 Compton's oaks. Here is my Beech Johnd And last but not least the pics I took today of the late drop "L.O." Plus the green trunk I saw the other day, but can't seem to see well in the picture I posted. I keep looking at the buds stubborn but there. I look like an idiot insisting it's going to leaf out, but I see signs it will and when you see the first of the 2 pics here, you will see what I mean. I was ready to rip it out and get another tree, but it isn't dead. The pics with the envelope in the background were taken about an hour ago. Here is the trunk pic from a couple days ago, you can barely see the green right below the slight scrape It isn't as noticeble now on the tree. the green is best seen at the bottom of the scrape. When you see those buds on todays pics don't you think it is going to leaf out? I saw my dead one with no buds. I have plenty of weight on me without getting a Walnut tree,

Ahhhh, the lazy part - been there, do that too! Dance With Me - I've heard it is hard so I never got it. Earth Angel - grows like a weed, love it. Ice Age Trail - I had it, got it as a young TC and grew it in a pot but it didn't survive this spring. I've seen pics of IAT purchased from Jim's Hosta that were big and gorgeous. It also is a streaker plant and will produce other streaked plants from seed. If you get it, save me some seeds. Touch of Class - gorgeous, don't have it but have one of the look alikes named Dream Weaver. It does very well here and intro'd by Kevin Walleck, our current AHS prez. Jewel of the Nile - another KW intro and it grows like a weed here. Paradigm - a classic, yes to it. Liberty - a new one for me last fall. It almost didn't come back and when it did was puny. I dug it up and potted it - the leaf is 1" and probably won't make it back next year. I replaced it, it has only produced one new leaf - I hope it comes back next spring. Liberty is a sport, probably tetraploid of Sagae. I highly recommend Sagae for the look, the margin just isn't as wide. I don't have any of the others and have heard nothing about them. For a balanced hosta garden, make sure you bring in solid colors to offset the patterned cultivars. I didn't because I love all the same type. I then had to go back and bring in some solids and to move things around to please the eye. It is the same as the daylily addiction - we bring in our favorite colors, look around and it becomes blah, so we then bring in other colors to liven things up. Some good blues in different sizes I recommend - Abiqua Drinking Gouard or Love Pat - great color, upright growing. Small blues that hold their color late into the season - Blue Jay and Fragrant Blue. Dark greens - Fried Green Tomatoes, a couple of Lakeside plants that I can't remember right now. If you want big, try some of the sports from Sum and Substance - Sum It Up, Bottom Line and Sum of All. Big, fast growing, all with edges but not "clashy" edges. They are all dark green. Other must haves - June, Paul's Glory or St. Paul. I know you don't like the skinny leaves but consider Ginsu Knife, has a slight light margin but lots of rippling on the edge, Marilyn Monroe, lighter green with ripples and Queen of the Seas, big blue with ripples. These offset the big round leaves that I love. For golds, Choo Choo Train, Sweet Sunshine, I think, hybridized by Solberg and a couple more Lakesides I can't remember, really make the shady areas pop. Have fun as another addiction starts. Could I also interest you in orchids?????????? Brooke

Hope when I'm 85 that I have a garden just like that! How nice that you can enjoy the view without the work, and how nice for her to have a neighbour who appreciates her lovely plants. Gardening is certainly a hobby that is best shared. Jan

Steve, I thought this would give you a better idea of how large Squash Casserole is (and did divide it last year). Here is a another hosta for camparison, this is Elegans which has been in this spot for 8 years. Karen I would say the average age of most of my hostas are anywhere from 4-8 years. I did have the advantage of having some great local growers, so I often bought mature hostas. TJ I did want to kick the hosta hater right down the street! LOL Jen