Yes katusha, Ponder hit the nail right on the head. I did finally find out what it was using the old fashion method called books. And 50 lashes with a wet noodle to me for not resorting to the method that did me so well long before the computer age, I'm becoming too much of a techno junkie for my own good. I have a vast library of books and that should have been my first reference. It took me all of 10 seconds looking through my Taylors book of annuals to find it. And worse thing is, I'm very vocal on the joys of the written word and here I don't even use my vast library, hanging my head in shame. I was just coming on to post that I found it when I found both your post. Where this plant came from, I have no idea, I know I never planted it, guess a friendly bird figured I needed it. Considering it is growing as well as it can in conditions it should not like, I'm considering it a gift, I just hope I am able to harvest some seeds, sure would like to see it in good growing conditions. If it does not seed in time for me, we are having an early fall, I think I'll look for seeds come spring, I've kind grown to like this thing. Maybe I'll dig the poor thing up and pot it to be brought inside, I have a whole reverted 3 car garage that is a mixture of bar and plant overwintering room, if nothing else, to give it time to reseed. And yes, I did read that it is toxic, but fortunally or unfortunally, for the first time in years, I am able to grow toxic plants. I was unable to have children, but I have had all the neighbor kids grow up in my gardens, I was always the crazy neighbor lady with all the fun stuff, use to come home to a mass of kids playing on all the stuff I put up for me to play with, would even find them in the house, never knew where I was going to find a kid, lol. But right now, 'my' kids are all old enough to know not eat anything that I do not give the ok for so I think I can grow it for the time being.

Yes, Saltcedar, you named it - I have it in my yard and Smoky's picture matches what I have, as far as I can tell.

My very first post to this forum was about a rose that I "rescued" - a shred of it had been left behind when the plant had been dug up by someone else. I potted up my shred, and it grew and gave me a couple of heartbreakingly beautiful blooms that looked just like yours - except your rose looks even more beautiful!! Mine turned out to be Dr. Huey, but the rootstock thing didn't bother me - I loved it - but the information that it would get much bigger (I had nowhere to plant it) made me give it away. Judging from your lovely photos, yours not only has GORGEOUS flowers in the most delectable dark red, but it also has beautiful clean foliage. I say, keep it and enjoy!!! Laura

Oh god that would make me soooo happy. I have so missed it. I got it when my fiancé went into the river and "rescued" it... it was dying it was just covered in spiders and stuff it looked like it was suffocating. I had it for so many ears.. my fiancé passed away and it was something that was apart of us. I had planted part of it at my parents old house in Alabama and took part of it with me when I moved back to texas.. and then my died suddenly. and my parents had moved and I even wrote the family that moved in and they had dug it out because it had completely covered the window area. is there variations? mine looks like it had pointed petals.. but otherwise it looks exactly like it even the leaves.. whch is what usually told me looking at others that they were not the same. I don't have a lot to trade for I moved into a smaller apartment last year and had tp give away most of my large plants.. my new place only has the front small porch no balcony..but I could put it right next to my front door and it would get good sun. But I do have a few plants nothing very special.. some succulents and a devils backbone a large snake plant and other s that are just regular houseplants. but I will send you something if you want and can you put a note on how to grow it.. I never had a lot of luck with seeds before.. I tend to either drown them pplant too deep not deep enough etc..lol. have you grown it from those seeds? any tips? Than you so much. it means a lot to me.. I know it may seem silly.. its not tech. the same plant.. but it is...