I would check out rust diseases in small grains

There are four Fs in making a bouquet: feature, filler, foliage, and fragrance. The feature flower can be: lily, rose, peony, sunflower, large dahlia, or something outstanding. The filler is a spray of little flowers such as Baby's Breath, Feverfew, Chinese Forget-Me-Nots, Agrostemma, Sweet William, Cosmos, Zinnias, Scabiosa, and other medium/small flowers. Foliage is something leafy; but, it certainly does not need to be green. Think about using wheat. You can use many of the ornamental grasses, Sweet Annie, Eucalyptus, a hosta leaf, ornamental grain such as millet. Some people use leaves from their peony bushes and some of the shrubs already mentioned. You can use the stems from monarda even after they have bloomed. Try using some of the mints, basil and oregano. Fragrance can be a separate flower; or, it can be one already part of the arrangement -- such as the Sweet William, mint, monarda or Sweet Annie.

The Red Cross may not physically be there in 6 months, but they will still be funding relief efforts. There is more to the Red Cross than just providing temporary shelter and food. Obviously, some of you have had bad experiences with them, but I would like to know what all those people would have done after Charley last year if the Red Cross hadn't stepped in and written checks to them when FEMA was standing around with its hands in its pockets. The Red Cross is still working behind the scenes down here in Charlotte County, because there are STILL people who aren't in permanent housing situations yet. It will take many months for the truly poor of N.O. and Biloxi to get permanent housing and be set up somewhere else. Many agencies and charities will help with that. I'm going there to help after I move, because I will be able to do so. If the Red Cross isn't there anymore, I'll know at that time, if they are, I'll let you know.

rcantor: From your list I have Celadine, Pacific Pearl, Singapore, Cancun Dreams, and Gardenia and will comment on each. Take it with a grain of salt though, since I am VERY new at this. Celadine- I agree with everyone else... you should really get one. The fragrance is unforgettable, flowers last for days (hence why it is THE lei flower), and the plant is definitely my hardiest, easiest keeper. I wish I would have started with a Celadine; it's an "ego boost" plumeria. Other than Thumbalina (Laura- ::wink-wink:: LOVE!), Celadine gives me the most satisfaction. A deer chewed off a branch a few weeks ago and it's putting out two new tips at that spot. I guess what I'm trying to say is its tough to mess up a Cellie. Bug resistant too. Pacific Pearl- They're not super fancy, but I really like the two I have. The scent is very nice; clean and sweet, no hint of lemon in my opinion (whereas Celadine is a bit lemony to me). Mine are around 2.5' now, but I fear they will get pretty tall. Both flowered last year and one branched three times, the other is rocketing up, and up, and up, with no sign of an inflo this year. Cancun Dreams- I had two but one got CRAZY killer black tip last winter. It was dead practically over night. The other one is my slowest to wake up. Only three leaves on its single, very slow growing, tip. It hasn't flowered. Not my favorite. Gardenia- This was my first plumeria; our one year anniversary was on June 6th =). It had an old inflo that stuck on and was all woody when I got it. This spring it started branching out off the side of the inflo. I ended up cutting it off since it was growing at a weird angle and looked kind of ugly. The plant has improved as a result, and is leafing out nicely. The leaves are very pointy at the end (I like this), but seem more bug prone than others. The trunk is glossy green with a nice texture. Hands down my favorite trunk (weird that I've ranked them, isn't it?). No inflo on this one either. Singapore- I have Dwarf Singapore Pinks... I'm 99.99% sure (they were NOIDs). I rescued 5 from Home Depot and just LOVE these little bitty plumeria! They're all between 8 and 12" tall and have between 4 and 10 tips, more of a bush than a tree. They would make a very attractive hedge... wish I had bought more of em. No inflos on these yet, but with nearly 30 tips between 5 plants I have hope! Andrew, you're spot on. DSPs are totally under appreciated. Maybe we should start a fan club? Anyways, I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions let me know! Rachel