I bought a small (6 leaves or so but most likely a cutting propagation) stephanotis exactly one year back. It was indoors for the winter in a sunny SE window, had a cool unheated month in january, grew some last fall winter, a lot more in spring outdoors in partial western sun but no buds till I spied tiny buds yesterday. I am not sure what triggered the blooms, the ironite I fed a couple of times, some epsom salt a month back or so, the watering getting neglected to the extent that leaves become soft, droopy, wilty, the dry cold windy weather off late. Anyhow, I am thrilled. I will update how this turns out.

Nope...the terracotta still breathes. For example, if you were to convert a terracotta pot to a fountain or bird bath, you would need to paint the interior with oil-based poly-urethane and the exterior in order to water-proof it. That's the only thing that prevents the terracotta from 'breathing'. I've done this on fountain projects and bird baths in my yard. Also, if it's a plastic plant container, plastic does not 'breathe'. Spray paint is just such a nice way to coordinate your yard and to keep your planters from looking faded and ratty. Plus, it's a cheaper alternative to replacing a plastic planter. I also spray paint some of my plastic chairs to keep them looking nice. They fade in the sun so quickly. The new plastic spray paint works great - no scraping required either! Tom: I'm going to be spray painting the white buckets that you gave me to blend with my other containers. It should work out fine.

Wow! I got my box this morning and it sure brightened my day! Carol-what a fun box!! I loved it! Got up sick today and this brightened my morning! I got a green makeup bag with travel size brush, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and lotion in it! Perfect as always going to grandbabies and back for a night or so! 3 pair of earrings -I LOVE Them!! A large black cherry candle in a jar! Perfect! A green lizard "Iggy"-the beanie baby one! Go with my others. Shamrock body jewelry=very cool! St. Patricks Day armband with leprechaun on it. Bag of Almond Roca toffee, ton of mini Twix bars (one of my FAVS!!!!), a box of Liberty Orchards fruit and nut delights! YUM, YUM! Didn't you know I needed to start a diet-maybe next week! LOL! Green And Gold Bead necklaces with gold bell. Green M&M lady stationery-cool! And a pair of sip and wear glasses! If I can get some one to take my pic in them I will send it to you Carol and you can post! Haven't figured that out yet! So cute!And last but not least a ton of seeds! I really enjoyed the box. Was such fun getting all of it out and seeing what was what!! Thanks so much! Melinda

what if you brought in some terra cotta pots w/the jute/black mats/rug? maybe did a birdbath, southwestern style, in the middle ? suround it w/some native plants? so many cool ways to add some color right there. bubbling urn, terra cotta, lots of boulders/pebble rock, container plants, I'd prob do something like these rocks, the bubbling urn or a colorful birbath, some mexican pebble rock up aginst the cobble, a few plants in a some colored pots. or something simple like this with a little pathway, the bench, some solar lights or, a little bistro table chairs i'd layer something like this on top of the larger jute rug. how about a place to sit? love these two colors (the wood) w/the terra cotta, black and the aqua (and copper) (oh, but you don't like this color, right? w/the black and copper, I think it's a nice addition. use the cobalt if you prefer) a southwestern style bench up against that part of the wall (you could always do this bench in the color that you like. ) a sun on the wall behind it, a copper southwestern style door handle, and pots to match? maybe a southwestern door mat. These are just thrown together. you could pick better colors and styles. gave you the wood bench here w/the cobalt pot. love these colors