We do have similar taste in plants!! My Ninebark Diablo also had a rough beginning. It was planted in a very sandy area ... mostly sand and I threw as much manure etc in there as I could. It sort of just sat there the first year, and I kept ammending the soil. It is 3 years later and the soil is still very sandy, but it has filled out nicely and is starting to look much more impressive. I was inspired to buy it after I saw one on a local garden tour. The one I saw must have been at least 5 years old, quite mature, and SO impressive when in full bloom ... a real show-stopper!! I have Sambucus Black Lace, another dark foliage one, and I really love it. It is also in it's third summer and starting to fill out nicely. The dark elders are really striking! I have Weigela "My Monet" which has stayed really small for me. I know it is supposed to be compact, but I thought it would get a little bigger than it has. Still, I like the variegated foliage :) New to me this year are some more (and different) Coneflowers, some new Daylilies ... I'm trying to add more tall bearded iris and lilies to the garden this summer as well. I just got a new rose "Monsieur le Capitaine Louis Frere", a beautiful red hybrid perpetual which I'm very excited about although I doubt it will bloom this year. Also adding a couple low-growing sedums, "Angelina" and "Chocolate Drop". Looking for "Bertram Anderson" as well, if I can find it locally. I haven't been out to look at local nurseries much yet, not enough time, but hopefully soon so I can get them before everything gets bumped up to the larger pots (and larger prices)! We have a climbing honeysuckle which is gorgeous, but you have to keep a close eye as the wasps like making their nests in there, and then the leaves fill out and you can't see it unless you bang into it (ouch). We also have a Climbing Hydrangea, which is quite vigorous and needs a lot of pruning each Spring but is quite the show-stopper in full bloom as well! I love the couple varieties of coreopsis that I have. If I can get them to over-winter (ie they are hardy here, which many aren't), then they really are tough plants and dependable bloomers. So bright and cheerful. I've been wanting to try Silene, I have seeds for "Starburst" which I traded for on a whim but haven't planted yet. I don't know much about Silene, never grown it before. Does it spread or seed around? Low grower or a taller plant? Anyone have a picture of Silene as a plant?

For over 20 years we have been having a nice little party. Started the first year we were married, and none of our friends were. All of us right out of school and no money to go out to the big scene. We used our silver wedding dishes and leftover napkins from the reception. Had a really fun time. Then in our first house we would have the babies asleep, and people could bring their kids and playpens. Low key fun with friends. Onto the house we raised our kids in. Everyone could bring their kids to the party, so no one had to pay for a babysitter. Somehow the kids all played together famously, and managed to stay up past midnight and be a delight. Everyone brought an appetizer to share, so it was a casual party and not much work since the house was already deep cleaned from the holidays. This is the first year in our new (empty nest) house. Our kids are in college, and they are still coming to the party, except now they are all old enough to take part fully. When we told our friends we were moving, usually the first thing they wanted to know was if we still planned to have our new years eve party. It has become a really nice tradition. I think that us and all of our friends like to get together, not spend any money, and not shout over a loud bar scene. It is really a nice time. Just wanted to put this out there in case anyone else might want to start a nice little tradition like this too.

We will head south on Wednesday. Probably come home on Sunday. Then again we may stay longer. We never know once we get there. I will take my sewing machine and do some sewing for the grandaughters for summer. Never to early to get started. Happy New Years to all. Stay safe in your travels... Susie

They look fantastic. We have at least two more months before there's a chance of seeing sprouts like that, are yours early for having been in pots? (that and a much milder climate) I have some cyclamen coum in bloom under lights, it's the only thing anywhere close to being alive at this time of year for me!