I have had a crossvine for perhaps eight years and I have to say that I have been disappointed with it. It flowers beautifully, but the hummingbirds don't seem to like it. This has been the experience of others on the hummer forums. Also, mine has one good bloom and then afterwards there aren't many to speak of.

I'm in the same z5a as you and I cannot keep a Trumpet Vine alive. That said, I have seen it growing in Hanover which is just west and a bit north of us. The spot it's in is more sheltered than what I have. We are out in the country and it is very open and windy in winter. Someone might be able to grow it in the city, in a sheltered spot. When I saw the Crossvine and read that it was a relative of the TV and an annual that set seeds, I thought it might be worth getting, even if I have to start a new one each year. Marg

Thanks for the nice comments on the raised beds! Maryl - I planted the pentunias in the raised bed 3.5 weeks ago. The dark purple ones with white edges I bought right before that, and the others I'd had growing in pots for a couple of weeks before deciding to use them for edging in the raised bed. There are fresh plants at Lowes and Home Depot here. And they've had new petunias in until recently. Now it's mostly lantanas, asters and mums. The hummingbirds here don't pay much attention to the petunias. They love the pentas more than anything else I have. They also like my flowering bushes - Buddleia, Wigela and Hibiscus. Debra

Kudzu, I found some nice, but standard cycads at IKEA. Is there any avaiable in you9r area. I can't think of an online store that sells them, those I shop out usually sell tropical C&S's. Are you planning on keeping cycads yr round? Be careful if you buy a Sago..They don't like wet feet in winter, especially if nights get cold..My last Sago rotted by watering at night, what a big mistake..let me know if you plan on bringing in at night or leaving out yr round..Toni