Bordine Nursery carries the most seeds I have ever seen anywhere period, and trust me, I have gone almost everywhere to look at and buy seeds since I was a kid. Unfortunately, they now keep some of their locations closed in winter. However, the Rochester Hills location is open year round. I am convinced, just like I said, that Bordine's is simply unbeatable for seeds, they have THE largest selection of seeds--many brands and varieties. -tg86

Sounds like I am right in your area! I try to always buy plants for zone 5. However I have pushed the envelope a bit, with plants that are iffy. Some have been fairly successful like Sanguisorba. I just got a Chaste Tree. Seller said it dies back like Butterfly bushes, doesn't get too tall. Then Van Attas' said they don't sell it, a zone 6 plant, probably will die. I will have to see next spring! I do think our area is getting warmer than it used to be. Last winter was only very cold in Dec. I also noticed a distinct difference when I moved here from having lived down south of Kalamazoo. Lots less snow, not as cold most of the time. Easier driving up here too. Sorry I can't help with the plants. Perhaps with a bit of windbreak the Vervain will make it! I am trying the zone 6 Heather myself. I saw it growing outside in the MSU gardens. All the advice says it needs GREAT drainage, like gravel, so I planted it beside the raised driveway. Cobblestones with gravel over. It was a sale plant, so even better to experiment with. You might try calling around, there is quite a list of nurseries in the Lansing phone book. I finally got over to Bordines near Flint, they had a lot of Phlox on tables. However I was looking for Hibiscus so didn't note any of the colors.

I have a love hate relationship with Paul Farges "Summer Snow". About 10 years ago I had a SS on this brick wall next to the neighbours house and their side walkway. It doesn't get optimal light here and yet it still overwhelms. I didn't like cleaning it up in the spring as it was hard to extricate the foliage from the support wires on the wall and I would inevitably pull down these wires. So at some point I shovel pruned it. Later the neighbour made some comment of missing it ;). So I bought another and here is the replacement 4 years later as of today: It is about 7 feet tall and about 15 feet wide (even after trimming back those sections which fall off the wall and grow over the plants in front of it). I do nothing to encourage it. If it got more sun there would be more flowers If you have a LOTS of room in a sun location this can be an impressive ("scary"?) clematis

**UPDATE** The sale will happen !!!!!! New date! Note: MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL THOSE WHO ENTER THE BUILDING - PER UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN POLICY. DATE--Saturday, November 6, 2021 TIME-- 10:30am to 3pm PLACE--Matthei Botanical Gardens 1800 Dixboro Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 Beautiful violets, gesneriads, streps, miniature plants, potting supplies etc. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Rosie/SE Michigan