Just a thought, have they considered an arbor with a vine? I have not done this myself, but many of my books and a few magazines suggest that for 'near instant shade', try putting in an arbor with an aromatic or attractive blooming vine." Sometimes the arbor they suggest is merely a single post with 'branches' at the top so the vines will form an umbrella-like shape and cascade down. The arbor should be "10-12 ft" tall. It's also suggested to not skimp on the posts but to use 6x6" or thucker treated lumber, especially taking our humid summers into account. Suggested vines are Confederate Jasmine, Carolina Jessamine, Coral Honeysuckle, Crossvine, American Wisteria and Trumpet Vine. There are others to choose from, but they tend to have 'seasons' where your friends would end up having a giant, wooden golf tee in their front yard. It may even be possible to mix up some vines. From my observation, my Confederate Jasmine and my Carolina Jessamine seem to grow at about the same rate. So there could be early spring fragrant yellow flowers followed by late spring/early summer white, SUPER fragrant flowers. Just a thought.

Hi Denise This is Silvia, Willy is still sleeping. Sometimes what I don't learn, he does. Feel free to send us on email or we talk to you at Leu. I think from what I heard you are doing all the right things for home growing which is a little different than commercial growing. He said that he uses Rose Tone in his own pots every other month and is important to keep them moist when they have fruit on it. Another thing that he said is, that is important the drainage and cold protection (I guess we are past that) But for next year if we get a freeze. The Gulf Coast was mentioned as a good variety. Picking the blooms was a good move too. Now I remember he said cut the older canes too for future production. I hope this helps a little. Silvia

I have both Emerald and Windsor gorwing in Oviedo. However, the Windsors have been in place only since last November and the Emeralds went in about two months ago. I also have Florda Blue, Sharp Blue, Gulf Coast, and Jewel highbush, and TiffBlue plus a couple of other rabbiteyes whose cultivar names I forget at the moment. All of them save the Windsor and Emerald have been in for years. However, both of the new varieties are growing very well. I can't say anything about their fruiting, as I plucked all buds from the Windsors and the Emeralds to encourage maximum growth this season.

My container Tifblue blueberries are doing fine. I planted them in October or November and had a handful of berries early in Feb/Mar (mostly eaten by birds).