ffff, I am not familiar with either of the ones you mentioned, so looked them up. They do look very similar to the Lawson or Peck. I like the sport flowers better than the original, so far. We had about half an inch of rain on the weekend and the sport open flowers and buds were just fine, while the mother plant buds and flowers balled and are pretty much ruined. The color also stays true until it wilts. I sure hope it's easy to root! Carol, enjoy the wet weather, much preferable to this drought in my opinion. There is a good chance El Nino might take over this year and change our weather pattern back to much more precipitation, sure would be great. Ah, Mount Hood, we visited a couple times while living in WA State. Gorgeous, lots of wildflowers and lovely cool temps. :o)

I know this is a real late, late comment, but you guys rock! I am just starting a cacti and succulent garden, here in Adelaide, South Australia. We are lucky enough to have the perfect climate and soils for all cacti and succulents. You all gotta come live in Australia... everyone thinks gardening is really cool, and you are the ultimate if you specialize. Our garden centres are always packed out on weekends and holidays...no-one thinks it's strange for kids to be gardening. Everyone actively encourages their kids to do it, and they're really thankful if they like it... (tasty home veggies!) Our versions of the garden and hardware stores sell heaps of gardening tools and stuff sized for toddlers! You've never seen cute until you've seen a hoe, spade, pitchfork and wheelbarrow for four year olds. Do you guys get stuff like that? We have a sort of 'cult of the backyard' thing happening. Teenagers get a kick out of making it look like Bali or whatever, and generally take an interest. Unless they are Barbie and Ken dolls, who watch Kardashians and don't take an interest in anything except fake tans... but shhh! We don't like to talk about them, and generally take pains to keep it quiet! LOL

Great pictures and great maps! Heidi, don't worry - unlike algebra - there won't be a test on the maps. We appreciate you doing them. It's making the month a lot more fun and you have a new addition to the maps with the GardenWeb names included on them. Love it! It seems I have lots of appointments scheduled this week so sorry if I don't drop in soon after you post. Today one of the garden groups that I belong to had a meeting and luncheon out of town so between the meeting, lunch, and travel - lots of my day was gone... not to mention I did a bit of snoozing in front of the TV when I got home! Lunch was so delicious though - it was worth the drive. Our speaker talked about roses and when I got home I walked around to check on my plants ... and yes, I had my first rose blossom of the year! Jeanne

Hi Everyone, I am so glad I've found this forum. I am in WNY Z6 and I would love to participate in plant exchange! My apologies for being late to post. Garden_frog, could you please add me to the invite list for Annual WNY plant swap next year (adrijanar@yahoo.com)? I have for sharing: ( Garden and house plants) : Garden: Shasta Daisies,( Lots) Lilly of the Valley ( Lots) Day Lilly ( red and yellow) Hostas - These will be dug up and divided next spring ready for the annual plant exchange Greek oregano Milk weed (Asclepias Incarnata) - seeds and plants Lavander - few small plants Echinacea purpurea - coneflower Ajuga Reptans Vinca Minor ( Dwarf Periwinkle) Hens and chicks two varieties. House Plants: different types of African VIolets ( White multi petal, red, purple, Bob Serbin, Mini pink with purple specks, Please ask for pics as they're all in bloom is you want me to root some for you. ) Spider plant - verigated Pothos ( verigated, green) Jade ( small and large leaf variety) Wants: Bergenia (Lily - the picture of your bergenia is beautiful, Do you have any more to spare? I am willing to wait!) Bee balm Japanese Painted fern Ostrich Fern, ( any fern will do) Annual WNY plant swap Sedum spectablie ( any sedum is welcome) Centaurea Cyanus (Corn flower) Salvias ( any) Liatris Spicata - praire gayfeathers ( white, purple, pink - I'll take any) Dephinium - Blue, purple, white Heuchera Hostas ( looking for any variable color ones, light green, multicolored, white, anything out of the ordinary and blue ones.) Bleeding heart Oxalis ( purple, red, versicolor, any will do!) Thank you! Adrijana