clematisintegrifolia, davidrt28 mentioned earlier in this thread (actually more than a year ago) that he "[grew] them for ages on the East Coast, zn 7." It wasn't clear to me, either, whether he meant that he grew the true Angel's Fishing Rod (Dierama pulcherrima), or other species or varieties of Dierama. I've heard anecdotally of people here in North Carolina growing D. pulcherrima, but I haven't seen it myself firsthand outside of the West Coast either. I do encounter other dieramas here from time to time, though, and they seem to do pretty well in a sunny, reasonably well-drained location. In fact, there are a couple of very nice large, flowering clumps of a couple different kinds of dieramas that have prospered for a few years in the Geophyte Border right here in Raleigh at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum (or at least they were there last summer, I haven't been back to see how they're looking after the rough winter we had). So, yes, they can be grown in areas other than the West Coast, at least sort of. But realistically, they'll never be the magnificent mainstream garden staples here the way they are out there.

Hi Stillwelljill - Sorry for not checking in right away - 'got a bit busy w/ grandkids. I'll be glad to let you know how quickly QF changes outfit ... she has not, as yet, opened her clusters, just getting larger & fuller. Actually, I do keep progress notes on my small H collection, particularly this season due to unusually long Winter & very strange/devastating Spring, here in IA. I was warned early on, by our local nurseryman to expect our dependable perennial bloomers to be 1 to 2 weeks late. All of my paniculatas are in full/sun sites & seem to love where they are. QF is planted right next to Little L ... I too am anxious to see how she opens up & how long her changes take to the mature-stage-color. LL just started showing her first, couple of tiny bud-clusters ... it's amazing tho, how very quickly LL will fill w/ buds once she starts! I agree that QF was quite upright last season - I'm curious how she handles all the blossoms once they all open. I think that the site you describe will be just perfect - since you said that the nursery is having a good sale & you have space for both ... need I say more!!! LOL - BTW have you checked the thread I started on AB, about a month ago? Silvergold posted her photo ... I know that AB is her favorite! Good luck & I promise to keep you posted on QF!

A voice from the past, Ann, raising a toast to you! I haven't been on for a number of months except to lurk now and then for a few minutes. I miss the swaps! I need to come back and post so I can play again! Ann, you always inspire me with your photos--they are the first things I look for when I'm scolling through. What a gift you are to all of us! Lifting a glass of ice water (soon to be a G&T) to you! (It's 7:20pm here--the eclipsed moon is well over the yard arm!)

tdemonti - "How do you capture the space vs. what occupies the space." Ha well that's really a selective answer i believe. - typically i shoot for interior designers who want to capture the space, the feel, the lifestyle, thier design, so i do light quite a bit so i will emphasize ( with extra lighting) what is important, show a "walk through" if at all possible and blend available with strobe to create what I and the client like. For Real Estate, i would get out of your head, dont shoot from your eye's perspective, change it up to give a different perspective, higher or lower. I find that with most real estate shots they are flat, flash off ceiling, even boring lighting. Actually a lot of "interior" photographers (newer ones) just do the same on a better level, but in the end, walk through your home, WHEN does it ever look like the ceiling and one wall are missing and the even light fills your house, NEVER. Real Estate shots are to show off the House, not a mood or lifestyle which is what you really want to sell , IMO. So if you want better shots, shoot it like its a magazine spread, use sun streaks through windows, show some mood, shadows, Real life photographs, change it up. Not sure that answers your question but let me know.