What a nice treat to see all the interesting foliage, you guys. I'm afraid the thread will hit its limit before I have the camera out to photograph some things that aren't at least 3 wks. behind the season. Eden, your garden must've inspired your screen name for it is, in fact, a backyard eden! I love the Astilboides, mine are not faring so well and will likely be relocated when time allows, but for now they're hanging in there. ;) Marian, I love the native fern and the bird's foot violet. I have a special fondness for the stalwart natives that shrug off the vagaries of seasonal weather blips and contentedly keep working away at their "jobs". The ferns here are at waist height (3') and are still quite stiffy and tightly configured. It will take another few weeks before they begin to relax and fall "open" more. The last of the little ephemeral spring flowers that carpet the floor of the woods under them are beginning to finish up their assignments for this year. :) I discovered 2 Liatris that were in Vegetable World and was told to plant them "somewhere". I've added them to the newly neatened area by the mouth of the driveway, along with 2 abused Perovskia that have lived in pots for pushing 3 yrs. now. It's the same area that now sports the serpentine display of the variEgated Miscanthus, "Strictus". It's the best sun I can offer anything on the Compound. I diligently mended the deck canopy and the torn screen panel yesterday while listening to Frank Sinatra. Vera joined me through the window that's been designated their official entrance to the Salon: She promptly decided to curl up on the screen panel I needed to mend. Here she is in "hunting mode": I have high hopes to get the canopy water-proofed this afternoon, possibly for installion on Thursday or Friday. Not sure about that. It will really start to feel as though summer will be here then. And then it will be time to finally replace the 4 awnings that shield the windows on the south side of the house. I miss their cheery presence and will really miss their contribution to interior comfort in the coming months. The helpmeet worked in Vegetable World yesterday. It all looks very organized and clean right now (except the fence and the beds he's going to re-side this year). I have been told that there will be lettuce and radishes aplenty for Camp, Early Girl tomatoes and fresh basil. That should help with provisioning. I will try to get some shots of his hard work this afternoon. In all, it was a very pleasant day for all on the Compound. "C'mon in, the water's great!": Time to go fix things, you guys. Have a fun day.

Hazels do not have that kind of leaf veining. Really? One of these is a corylus, the other a viburnum. Tell us which is which. I'm not saying the plant in question is not a viburnum but the foliage also is very similar to corylus (which can get some intense fall color) and I can't see leaf arrangement clearly enough to determine just by that factor. To decide for sure, it would be most helpful to see any remains of flowers or fruit ---- that would definitely nail it.

If I had an unlimited supply of cash for the garden, I would certainly be in heaven. I want, desperatly, to get a Wollemi Pine. They are 100 dollars now. I think it'd be great to have a plant of a specie which only has about 100 known to be in the wild. The mystique draws me... I recently visited the botanical garden in Rome, where I was able to touch one of these beauties. Theirs was about 4ft high and flourishing. I have been waiting with abated breath for them to be available here in the US. I would also like a yellow peony and camelia. There is a new begonia available called "bonfire" that looks like it will be making an appearance in my garden whether or not I win the lottery. ---Keith

Well, finally this year I can contribute to a thread like this one. The 50 foot farmerÂs porch has been added to one side of the kitchen and the new addition is going up right now on the other side, so I can finally do some landscaping around the house. ThatÂs a big part of my orders this year, besides filling in around the existing gardens and replacing a few losses. Also, I had the same experience as hostasz6a with Bluestone. One plant did not ship last year, and they sent me a postcard this spring 1) reminding me of that fact (I certainly forgot), and 2) offering free shipping on anything I ordered before the backorder shipped in May. Saved me about $25 in shipping costs. Right now, I have the following orders in: From Bluestone (wonÂt ship until mid-May) Hosta Blue Angel Hosta Francis Williams Hosta Guacamole Hosta Halcyon Hosta Middle Ridge Hosta Patriot Hosta Sum and Substance Achillea x Paprika (3) Artemisia schmidtiana Silver Mound (3) Coreopsis verticillata Moonbeam (3) Dianthus x allwoodii Desmond (3) Veronica teucrium Crater Lake Blue (3) Veronica spicata Red Fox (3) Brunnera Jack Frost Astilbe Red Sentinel (3) Astilbe Taquetii Hybrids (3) Astilbe Peach Blossom (3) Echinacea Rubinstern (3) From QVC/Cottage Farms (some have just started to ship today, yippee) 9 Piece Dwarf Reblooming Daylily Collection 3 pc Nor'Easter Sub-Zero Rose Collection 25pc. Giant Asiatic Lily Mixture Collection 50 Mixed Perennial Asiatic Lilies 4pc Dwarf Perennial Luna Hibiscus Collection 56pc. Dwarf Hardy Gladiolus Collection Red Freedom Rose of Sharon Hibiscus Tree 36" Black Magic Standard Tree Rose Royal Amethyst 36" Standard Tree Rose 36" Red Fountain Tree Rose 36" Pink Fountain Tree Rose 3 piece Endless Summer Hydrangea Collection Pink Sensation Tree Hydrangea From Miller Nursery (will ship in a week or two) White Mulbery (2) BlackGold Cherry Fall Red Everbearing Raspberries (3) Shallots (1/2 pound) I also will have a pretty large order with Richters to replace some of my herbs that were lost this past winter (it was a tough one up here for the garden). Won't place that for another week or so, until I am certain of what made it and what didn't. I will be busy for the next few weeks. narcnh