Last spring a friend said we could dig up Jack-in the pulpits that she had growing in her woods as they were about to clear the area to build. Her Jacks were huge! I dug up probably 30 Jacks, giving some to friends, and keeping a bunch for myself. I kept them well watered throughout the summer last year. At first I didn't see them coming up this spring and I was a little nervous, but everything was late. Now I see them everywhere and they look great. My friend claims that she treats them like hosta and feels the survival rate for transplanting is very good. I'd have to agree with the success I've had.

Wisconsitom: Imagine my hand smacking to my forehead. Of course! We do have deer, but we only see them way at the back of our property, and even that infrequently. They do cross our street sometimes, but about a "block" down or so. There are so many better places so close - hundreds of acres of wooded recreation land. (Which is really cool for us humans, too.) I'm still confused about why it used to be so much more sparse with the woody undergrowth if it's deer, though. I'll read up and see if the deer population has changed in the area. In my recent reading on woodlands, I saw a photo online of a place where folks had fenced off to keep deer out a year or a few before. It was enlightening. As far as wildlife, after I went to bed a few nights ago, my husband heard 2 fishers having a fight or trying to scare each other off right behind our house. If you've ever heard a fisher, you know how disturbing they sound. But I guess I'm happy our woodland and surrounds is supporting all local wildlife. My son & I saw a red spotted newt near the new walkway only a few days after it was installed, and I was so glad things weren't so disrupted it scared everybody away. Queen Gardener - I'd love to start trading. But I feel like I don't have anything useful to trade. I have oodles of seeds (who doesn't?), but a lot of them are getting old. I should have harvested some seeds from the plants I do have so I could get started trading. Next year, I guess. I agree, E-bay does have good prices if you can find the reputable people.

I wish they were viable in the mail. I have a bumper crop and could share!! I have some with red based flowers and some white. They are so fun to watch emerge and unfurl. I am in awe at how many volunteered to live in the woods this year!! I am attempting to dig some for a plant sale in a few weeks. My daughter is a jr. volunteer and I am donating some perennials for their fund raiser/garage sale. Jacks are tricky to transplant in the spring. So far they are looking good!

Congratulations! Isn't it great to discover treasures in the woods!! Esh is correct; they do fine in pots for a while. I have even grown them from seed in pots...have some that need to be repotted right now because they have outgrown the original containers. Last week on a rescue I found the biggest Jack I had ever seen...about three feet tall with a spread of at least 24"! Yes, I brought it home...a big shame if the bulldozers got that one. Now, let's just hope it comes back as big as it is right now. Another comment/question: At this rescue there were yellow, green, and maroon blooms on the Jacks. Does anyone know why the variation?