I don't usually drop in over here, but for you, Mike... and the few other regulars here who have been so nice to me in the past, I made an exception. Josh, good to see you, too, of course. :-) I love all the photos... and Josh, that is a lovely flower! I'm glad I got a chance to see it! It's been so long since I've stopped in... that the Den keiki I was gifted with a few years ago finally began its first set of buds. Unfortunately, they shriveled and died before getting a chance to open, but at least I now know the plant is of age and size to bloom. I believe it's simply too dry in the environment I have to offer it, and my husband works with electronics, so a humidifier is not on the menu. It's ok... I'm just happy it's alive and flourishing, and next year I'm sure to get more buds... and I'll be ready with a helping hand of some type... I've got some time to figure it out, and Mike has actually given me some good suggestions. Take care, people... and happy growing!

Looking back over the years I have found out that Pinus strobus are usually the first conifers to succumb to adverse weather conditions in the Midwest. Most are vulnerable to excessive heat and drought. They need just the right amount of water to survive under these conditions. To much water or not enough will do them in. I also have foud if they are root bound even the slightest amount that could spell trouble especially if you do surgery before planting. I am currently down to one, 'Angel Falls'. I might have another cultivar lurking some where. It came as a conifer grown in a wooden box. A big conifer that when unpacked had a very fine root system and was not the least root bound. It has performed beautifully over the years. The key for survival with these cultivars centers in the roots. I think they need to be spot on for any chance of survival. Bump them out of the pot at the nursery before you purchase them. Most will be rejects. "I might have another lurking somewhere". I need to go find it. Pretty bad when you don't remember what you are growing. Dave

Hi years ago I started with one, then a few more ,then started to hybd. then started giving a few away. The more I got into raising and breeding the more interested I got as each seed can be a different flower.Now my house,front,back and side is covered with mostly daylilies about 1000 at this point also many other types of flowers one thing about it, dont have to cut the lawn I trim it with a weedwacker it takes only about 20min to 30min ,no gas only with an elect. to do the job, people come by and cant believe their eyes. I have a good time doing it and to me beauty is in the eye of the beholder .There are many other aspects of growing them ,tc dont ever trust ,I dont care what any one tells you , you may think your getting a bargen but, your getting a rip off the flowers donot come true enough said. I hope you like your new addiction it could be far worse such as politics at liest daylilies dont lie.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I was thinking about disease or pests because I have a total of 9 dogwood bushes and 5 of them are doing great. Just the four in the photo are really struggling. I am most worried about protecting the others from whatever ails the 4 plants in question. The 5 others are taller and have wonderful, showy variegated leaves. These plants have been in these spots for more than the 5 years I have lived here, but it is the first time I have noticed they did not do well during the winter. Of course they're red twigs offer that "winter interest" they are ost known for, and that's what we got this year too. I am considering trying to transplant them from their present location,(part sun) and swap them with some yews we have planted in full sun. Someone told me they should not have been planted underneath a maple tree and that THAT may be contributing to their problems.