Hi everyone, It has been downpouring all day so I'm glad I got pictures when I did! The clematis look like soggy kleenex and some of the vines let go in the wind. It's supposed to keep on pouring so all those roses opening are mush and the gorgeous peony blooms are laying in the mud. Fortunately I did snap some pictures yesterday and I'm going to do another post real soon. I appreciate all your warm and enthusiastic responses! Kay...it could very well be H.G. Young but I never knew the name. It was a mislabel from one of the big box stores and was supposed to be Jackmanii which it obviously isn't. Rita...I have pretty much exhausted my land of rocks after making so many rock beds. Now I'm getting them from Dad's land and carrying them in the car, much to DH's displeasure. I just love rocks so much and I like a natural look in my garden. It's not professional or perfect since the rocks I dig up are round and not great for stacking and I don't use cement, I just stack them. As you can see, they come in all colors, shapes & sizes. Jean...that is a heartbreaking story about your clematis. Goodness, your mother sounds a little like mom (before she got the Alzheimers). Why is it mothers think they own OUR things too? Debra...they can be finicky here too. Sometimes one part of the vines will just turn limp and die, for no apparent reason. They seem to like my climate and I've always had good luck with them other than the wilting once in awhile. Val...thank you. Seems like my 'unknown' blue one is the winner today. Julia...I have never had these clematis bloom this early. What a weird year it has been so far. I even have roses blooming already that don't start until the 3rd week in June most years. I have quite a lot more clematis that are quite a way from blooming so I look foward to them hopefully bloom when they normally do. Rena...so glad you enjoyed them. I have some other pretties to share and will post them tomorrow. Christine...LOL. What I love about this forum is that we are all from different zones across the country so we all get to enjoy more than just one spring and summer. Nat....that bloom is what I refer to as a 'cheat' bloom. It was bought potted up through the mail so it came from a greenhouse. I also have some daylilies starting to bloom or sending up scapes that came from Maryott last fall so they're confused, thinking they're still in California. Celeste

Thanks all! ngraham - the good news is, VE multiplies like crazy. When she gets it right, the flowers are amazing. farmerbell - I didn't like that seedling when it first opened, but the blooms are getting better, and the bud count and branching are out of this world. In addition, it had instant rebloom this year. PP is my little beauty. Love her. Jessica - can you believe that some of them are just starting their first blooms? I got a bunch that are late and very late, so I could extend my season. Looks like it is working! Stargate Explosion just put up its first scape! Yippee! Nikki - I posted about the photo problem on your Star Child post.... hope it works out! I like PP too! okbt - she is a hardy little bugger... even though I slid down the hill and wiped out all 3 fans last fall, she came back beautifully and gave me quite a show. Love PP. Debra - thanks!! :o) MM is new to my garden (this spring), and is doing so well! Got another bloom this morning. Hoping the colors get just a mite brighter with settling. Gotta do my yoga, then I will try to post those Star Child photos... Thanks for all the kind words.

Thanks to all for your comments. Gesila, Magic Fire is planted in morning sun in hopes the number of divisions gets a bump. Of course this year sun, only applies to the last week, as everything else has been rain and/or overcast. Galaxy was new in 2011 and seems to be taking hold very well. Had to twist out one green division this year, but rest is doing well. It was divided off of an established clump. Paula, the tree is an oak - have a couple different types in that garden. WW, I enjoy finding plants and whimsy pieces to complement the hostas. Also like to plant and plan around rocks. Paul

Wow! Can I hire you? :) So creative. Everything came together nicely. And what a far cry from my first digs. Love your window treatment using a drop cloth. I had slipcovers made using drop clothes for two Ethan Allen chairs that my friend's neighbor was planning to leave out for bulk trash (cat peed on the seat cushions, but I had new cushions made). Now I just need some colorful pillows for them - how much do you charge for pillows? ;) Maybe your daughter will eventually have the desire to learn to sew. My mother was very talented when it came to sewing but despite her efforts to teach me when I was younger, I had no desire. A few years ago I bought my dd a sewing machine so she could fool around making pillows and costumes, whatever else. A friend who sews told me she'd help me make panels for my living room. With her guidance (I did all the work) I made four lined panels for my living room windows. My mom almost fell over when she saw how nicely they turned out! She couldn't believe that *I* had made them! I now am interested in taking some sewing classes but so far, haven't had the time yet. You are very talented!