thx trudi, anne, and maryanne, Yes ann there is variagated tall bearded iris marryanne- that is called artemisia 'silvermound' and it is a delight to touch- soft as silk, and a drought tolerant perennial for full sun:) Walmart carries them in early spring. Allow 4 ft across- that's how big some of mine like that one get. Karen

Everyting looks so green and healthy - great job. I like the setup of your vegetable bed. I have devised a little frame with chicken wire lashed to it to protect my 'greens' from ground hogs, but your idea is so much neater. Did you purchase those hoops or did you 'invent' them. Can't beat those Asiatics for putting on a show. Thanks for sharing. Northerner.

Beautiful spring photos everyone, I can't believe how way ahead you gals are in your gardens, are you sure your zone 3. LOL... My garden is just starting ;) I had some crocus blooming but the damn pocket gopher ate them before I could take a photo! Pulsatilla vulgaris Pasque Flower Tulipa tarda syn. T. dasystemon Narcissi Trumpet King Alfred Daffodil (first bloom, they are just starting) Chionodoxa forbesii Puschkinia libanotica is pushing right thr some Lamb Ears. The first of the Tulips just starting as well. Veronica whitleyi RHEUM palmatum var. atrosanguineum aka Rheum palmatum var. atropurpureum (dark burgundy leaves/ white blooms) Chinese Ornamental Rhubarb Sharon

I hope nobody minds if I cheat a bit and include pics from the past couple of weeks. I have been too busy to post and have been fighting with computer problems. A dead monitor replaced by a new fancy schmancy flat wide screen that didn't work on my tired old computer has meant downtime, repairs and endless upgrades... Everyone's pictures are fantastic (I have been checking them out at work but don't tell the boss...) Here are some of mine. My biggest thrill was the 'Dotcom' lily I have waited 2 years for. I ordered in fall '04 and it wasn't available so reordered last fall and here she is: I think this unknown red lily wiht huge blooms was from a mixed bag: My first ever tiger lily: I love this shaggy mop top rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta 'Burpeei Double Gold') wintersown last year: Cosmos 'Double Click': My new favorite Dianthus 'Theif of Hearts': Always a great show from Gloriosa Daisy: Daylily 'Frans Hals' (thanks Doris!) and Mexican Hats (Ratibida columnaris): White coneflowers: Susan