Everyone left just now, and I am so glad, one of the couples that stopped by, are going to Germany spring break, I asked them if they would mail me some plants back to the USA, and they said yes. Would it be still too cold to have them mailed out the middle of March? Most of the German websites put that they mail out in May and June. Can plants be bought from nurserys in Germany? Barbra,

I've done just about all of the suggestions here. My best advice is: #1. Be sure to plan walking areas. Even if it's just a mulched section with no plantings, where you can get into the plants, it seems like a no-brainer, but... #2. Add non-Hosta focal points periodically. Believe it or not, wall-to-proverbial-wall of Hostas can get boring if not broken up in some way. Even a pot or two. #3. From these 2 pieces of information, do a logical back-to-front plan, with big in the back & small in the front. I try to "snake" my large hosta in a way that will allow me to tuck medium, smalls & minis in the curves left. I also like to plant groundcover and other shade perennials at the same time. Generally, I try to put clumps of different flowering perennials (but not Hostas) in the middle of a grouping of large hostas. This allows for a sort of focal point as well, and helps to contain plants that might otherwise be invasive. As far as colors, I try to contrast quite a bit, but once in a while, a grouping of all the same hosta makes a great edger for a path, or a border, and helps to direct the eye.

Plantman: As you know, Longwood is on Route 1. If you go a bit more east, you will see Route 52 into Delaware. Winterthur is down there about 20 minutes from Longwood. They have a site you can view. Since you will be on Route 1, you can catch the nurseries out this way on your way back to Harrisburg. I would stop at Groff's off of Route 472. It has nice plants depending on when you visit. Last year, it took until mid-summer for them to show some plants. However, they usually have some nice prices. There are other nurseries out here too and some on Route 472 north of Kirkwood. The one I use for shrubs is on Route 10, just 100 yards north of Route 1. It is on the right and you can see it as you make your north turn onto Route 10 from Route 1. I think it is called Britestar. The trick with them is their sales. Normally they are 40 percent off in mid-Summer. I have purchased 3 Dragon Lady hollies there--among about 80 other plants. For comparison, without a sale, Britestar sells Dragon Ladies for about $60 vs. about $150 at Styer's which is East of Route 202 on Route 1. Keep posting here about your trip and I will check other nurseries in this area. If you want some diversions on your trip, let me know. There is an interesting little town out here--Strasburg--and just north of that on Route 896 and Route 30 is Rockvale Square Outlets.

I enjoy going to both these places. I haven't been to Mary's in a couple of years, but plan on giving yourself plenty of time to walk through it. They have a lot of greenhouses, and if you're like me, you want to check out every plant in each one! :o) The Daylily Farm is another wonderful place. The last time I was there, they had also expanded into hostas and some other perennials. You might want to go there first, then to Mary's since the Daylily Farm has the better prices. I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're close to Murfreesboro, TN, you might want to check out Martin's. I used to make an annual "pilgrimmage" to McMinnville until I discovered Martin's. Martin's 1020 Northwest Broad Street Murfreesboro, TN 37129-2325 (615) 867-7712 Here is a link that might be useful: Martin's Home & Garden in Murfreesboro