I have limited time to respond, but here goes. We all know of plants that are underused, if not rare, for reasons that seem incomprehensible. Why did landscapers turn privet into the hedge of mass consumption when an evergreen boxwood hedge looks so much better? So I am always looking for the good expansion of the range of plants I have to work with, plants I don't know, but will love when I get to know them. Your title rare for a reason makes us laugh because we encounter so many disappointments along the way. Plants that can't succeed in this climate, plants whose variegation leaves them too weak to make it through the winter, plants whose flowers clash (to my mind) with the color of their leaves, etc. Another thing, I note is the tendency of gardening magazines to highlight a different family of plants each month. Sometimes I think that the selected plant is simply one that hasn't been featured before (and not featured before for the reason that it just isn't really that garden worthy). Yet here is some garden writer talking it up. Not always easy to separate out the worth from the unworthy. I don't worry about echinacea or fear the triumph of cultivar over species. We may waste money on plants that don't succeed. I am guessing that species plants are always ready to take back their own, particularly echinacea! I guess what we worry about is whether bad cultivars may block the success of better cultivars. For instance, we buy and plant heirloom plants which are carefully selected improvements over the species in part because we want to preserve these strains which seem to have had enduring value. (I am just sort of thinking aloud here, trying to figure out what I think). I now have to go back to work.

Shock. Denial. Anger. Grief. Acceptance. Going to Newbury Perennial Gardens to drown my sorrow. Typical of a big corporate buyouts. At the purchase time, the line is always that "we like it the way it is. If it ain't broke don't fix it." But in a few years, that always changes. Don't let the fox in the hen house, no matter what it promises before about not eating the chickens. You know it's the nature of the fox to eat chickens. Big businesses are about cranking as much profit as possible, and finding ways to make an already profitable business more profitable usually involves a very big change, as Dan Hinkley discovered. I hope he starts a new operation after the no-compete period is over.

To those who received packets of veronica longifolia from Lindalana it is the best name I could come up with after doing search of Chiltern catalog. Original seed was received in a mix and even that I consulted couple of people working in the horticultural business still no recognition with 100% certainty. Plants themselves are very worthy to grow- 2-3 feet tall, with flowers similar to veronica/ veronicastrum, bloom very late summer early fall at same time with japanese anemones for good 4-5 weeks. Foliage has minty smell and deep tap root does not like transplant. Architectural, reseeds moderately, does not need support, strong stems, will take sun to part shade, plant it and forget it type of care. If you figure out it is something else please let me know, that plant has been so uncommon I can not find any references ...

Hi there- I do hope all of the seeds have found their way home to you all- I did send a few of my this seasons favorites to you all (or tried to get them all in the return envelopes)- I thought I would show you a few pics- The very best Castor Bean I have ever grown is the New Zealand Purple. It was quite something to behold- over 10' tall and near the end of the season- the side branches were more that 8' across- and bronze and purple all the way through- The leaves had a sheen to them that shifted shades of the color as you looked at it. Many folks came down the driveway to ask about it... The aristolachia fimbriata has been a favorite of mine since my first participation in the RUNV exchange- Aristolochia Fimbriata, the White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe, is an excellent hanging basket plant. Its small stem, make it more suitable than other Aristolochia for basket culture. This smaller tropical vine climbs to only 1-2 meters. It is native to Argentina, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. A rare find. A must for those who collect the unusual. It always attracts the attention by the strange flowers that are produced amongst the white-veined leaves. Flowers are solitary and are formed under the leaves. The cute little 1-2" long yellow and brown flowers, resembling miniature elephant trunks, are produced along the stem all Summer. The flowers are green on the tube, brown on the mouth entrance and veined purple brown inside. The mouth entrance has a bizzare and striking arrangement of hairs that stick out like a rough material. This is one of the most attractive foliage plants you can grow. This really cool deciduous groundcover Dutchman's Pipe spreads out to 3 feet on little green stems. Each rounded leaf is medium green, highlighted with dramatic silver veining. In Winter, the stems retreat back to the base if cultivated outside, so no invasive problems. Hardiness zones 7-9, (-15C/5°F,-5°C/25°F) in Winter. Aristolochia Fimbriata likes to grow in a light and airy place, but not in direct sunlight. Keep Summer temperatures from 68-78°F and Winter temperatures above 50°F. Water regularly during the growth period, once or twice a week. Water no more than once a week during Winter. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every third watering throughout the growing season. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil. That said- I put it in hanging baskets and forgot to water way too many times- and I almost never fertilize- and they still did great!! I bring mine in to overwinter- and they live through our long cold winters in the basement with hardly any light... Germinating tips- Soak 48 hours in hand hot water Time to germinate: 30-90 days (The usual time period in which a particular variety will germinate given optimum conditions) Temperature: 70-80°F (24-29°C) - a steady temperature is generally recommended - fluctuating temperatures can damage a seedling in its critical early stages Growth Medium: Peaty Sowing Depth: Sow on the surface, point end down and do not cover Light or Dark: No special requirements Slow or Erratic: Not all seeds will show at once - prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle and don't discard the container until well over the time suggested. The Morning Glory Wine and Roses (Heirloom Ipomoea Nil I found both on the web...), is the best ever performing MG I have ever tried! And the Triple Yellow Datura, var chlorantha- Well, you will find that all over the web- I do hope all have made their way home by now- and am very happy to have been able to host this swap- Thanks again- Julie